Resettling refugees in third-party countries ‘not going to happen’
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says the United Nationals High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has resolved to repatriate refugees back to countries of origin or integrate them back to communities.
It has been a year since hundreds of refugees and immigrants staged a sit-in protest at the UNHCR offices in Cape Town, demanding to be resettled in other countries.
Motsoaledi said moving refugees to third-party countries is not an option.
He briefed the media on Monday on efforts to resolve protests by asylum seekers and refugees who are accommodated in Paint City and Wingfield in Cape Town.
“The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees concentrated on discussing with the protestors two issues, one resettlement with communities in and around Cape Town, two voluntary repatriation back to countries if origin if they believe resettlement to communities is not attractive for them.
“There is no third option. I am not mentioning any resettlement in any country because it is not on the table, it is not going to happen,” he said.
He believes the UNHCR offer was more than fair.
“I must state here without any fear of contradiction that the United Nations has offered the protestors a very generous proposition. They offered that if they choose an option to settle in communities, the United Nations would pay 3 months rental wherever they find accommodation and, in addition, it would supply them with food for a period of three months while they are finding their feet re-establishing themselves,” said Motsoaledi.
Motsoaledi says 121 protestors have accepted the offer for voluntary repatriation.
A total of 390 have accepted the offer of reintegration with communities. Most have arrived safely in their respective communities.
He said the department is aware of individuals who have vowed to never accept any offer.
Motsoaledi warned that the offer will only be valid for two weeks.
“We have decided that we are giving this United Nations offer a change to unfold for a period of two weeks starting from last week Thursday.
“After two weeks whoever chooses to stay there will be on their own, as all the government department and agencies providing service will leave the area.
“The tents will be removed and whoever is left on the streets will be dealt with by the law enforcement agency according to the law.”
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