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South Africa tackles its growing backlog in asylum applications
6 Jul 2006 The South African government has launched a project to clear a backlog of some 100,000 asylum applications, the only major blot in an otherwise exemplary record of receiving refugees. -
South African government meets refugees, listens to their problems
29 Jun 2006 Senior members of the South African government have met directly with refugees and asylum seekers this week, listening to their problems and promising to overcome deficiencies in the asylum process. -
Cape Town issues groundbreaking declaration of rights for its refugees
21 Jun 2006 Cape Town, home to thousands of refugees, has issued a formal pledge to honour the legal rights that South Africa has promised to refugees. The coastal city also pledged to support their integration into local society. -
New book captures the voices and art of African child refugees
16 Jun 2006 A new book launched in South Africa ahead of World Refugee Day gives refugee children a chance to tell about their lives in pictures and words, stories of both trauma and hope. -
Congolese girl gives voice to the world's millions of child refugees
6 Jun 2006 Mariam Kwete brought a unique perspective to a recent UNICEF meeting in New York. She was the only refugee among almost two dozen children from around the world who were asked to contribute to a UN study on violence against children, which is due to be released in October. -
Number of asylum seekers in South Africa rises sharply in first quarter
19 May 2006 In new detailed quarterly statistics released today, South Africa reports a strong rise in asylum applications in the first three months of the year, with the largest number coming from Zimbabweans. -
UNHCR offers voluntary repatriation to Angolan refugees in South Africa
11 May 2006 The UN refugee agency and the government of South Africa launch a campaign to inform Angolan refugees that 2006 will be the last year UNHCR will assist those who wish to repatriate from South Africa. -
Namibia joins South Africa and Zambia in extending HIV/AIDS treatment to refugees
10 May 2006 Last month the Namibian government agreed to extend its national HIV/AIDS programme to include the 6,000 refugees still living in the country. Most of the countries in the region unofficially include refugees in their plans - South Africa and Zambia formally do. Botswana now remains the only one that officially denies refugees equal access to HIV/AIDS treatment. -
Squatter camp in South Africa underscores need for urban refugee policy review
23 Feb 2006 Some 300 asylum seekers have set up camp outside a government office in South Africa's capital, awaiting their turn to get a permit legitimising their stay in the country. The huge backlog of cases and the precarious living conditions underscores the need for the current review of UNHCR's policy urban refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa.