Human Rights: Rights for all
Human Rights Day is a national day that is observed annually on 21 March to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in South Africa. One principal document that enshrines and protects the rights of people living in South Africa including migrants, asylum seekers and refugees is the South African Constitution. The rights are provided for in Chapter 2 of the Constitution called the Bill...
Labour-related experiences of migrants and refugees in South Africa
Migration continues to be one of the persistent issues globally with large numbers of people migrating everyday for various reasons. Of the drivers of migration, the need for better economic opportunities remains one of the major drives. Even if a person is pushed to migrate because of other factors such as war, to ensure sustainability and integration one needs to have a livelihood strategy mostly through employment or business. However, the rights of migrant workers continue to...
March Press Review
International Sudan: UN struggles to cope with thousands of daily arrivals in South Sudan transit camps UN News, 23 February 2024 Since the outbreak of fighting, the influx of people fleeing Sudan has increased sharply at multiple border points, and more than half a million individuals have crossed the South Sudan border, according to UN estimates. At the UN-run transit centres in Renk, staff are helping exhausted individuals to travel onwards to their final destinations in the hope...
A Borderless Africa
As the continent grapples with mass human movement driven by environmental disasters, conflict, and insecurity, the concept of a borderless Africa is one that may offer a potential solution to these intersecting and complex challenges. An Africa without borders could foster regional integration, economic growth, and social cohesion across the continent, making it imperative to explore the challenges, prospects, and potential benefits that could come with its realization. A key theme throughout existing literature emphasizes the...
World Day of Social Justice: A Call to Uphold the Rights of Migrants and Refugees in Africa
Today the international community observes the World Day of Social Justice. It is a day dedicated to promoting efforts to universally ensure fundamental rights, employment opportunities, social protections, and constructive social dialogue. As the world confronts injustice, labor insecurity, inequality, and global crises, it is essential to consider migrants and refugees in the African context, where millions cross borders seeking safety and opportunity. Migration is intrinsic to the continent's history, culture, and socio-economic fabric. Yet, the narrative surrounding migration in...
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Multilation (FGM): Safeguarding the Rights of Migrant Women and Girls
Today, the world observes the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Multilation (FGM), a practice which is internationally recognized as a human rights violation, given its severe consequences on the health, well-being, and dignity of women and girls. While FGM is a global issue, it is crucial to understand its intersectionality with migration in order to address the unique challenges it poses to the rights and safety of women on the move. FGM is...
