Detention and Migration
One of the fundamentals of ensuring dignity and protection of human rights of people on the move is ensuring they are not subject to arbitrary or unlawful arrest, detention, and deportation. Migration and freedom of movement are fundamental tenants of what makes us human. Detention of people on the move, particularly for the purpose of deportation or regularising sojourn, should only be as a last resort and alternatives to detention should be prioritised....
Apostleship of the Sea (AoS): 100 years of service to the seafarers
Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) also called Stella Maris of Cape Town is announcing the 100 years of Stella Maris in the service to seafarers this 04 October 2020. The Apostleship of the Sea is the pastoral care of the Catholic Church to maritime people. This apostolate began prior to 1900 by various Orders or Congregations like the Augustinians of the Assumption, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and Jesuits catering for the spiritual, social, and material...
18th July - Nelson Mandela International Day 2020
The 18th of July marks a public holiday in South Africa, as a remembrance for Nelson Mandela's birthday. In 2009, the day was inaugurated as Nelson Mandela International Day by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), as a response to a global crisis of poverty and inequality. On this particular day people recognize and commemorate Nelson Mandela’s commitment to human rights, conflict resolution and reconciliation. The celebration is a call to action for everyone to elicit...
As Borders are Reopening, what does it mean for Migrants?
Border closures, physical distancing, lockdowns, and subsequent restricted onward mobility of the COVID-19 pandemic has been heavily impacting the lives and wellbeing of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. The restrictions have not only stopped the movement of people and goods, but also domestic and international remittances (1). Diaspora communities in the Global North, in addition to South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda are experiencing job losses, and the remittances that sustain 40% of Somalis are rapidly diminishing (1). Despite,...
Documentation, Documentation, Documentation!
When we consider people on the move and their interaction with government authorities or access to services one of the matters that is often raised is identification and/or enabling documentation and the absence thereof presents with a number of challenges. We regularly hear about documentation allowing for migration via regular channels or that a migrant migrated via irregular channels because they did not have the requisite documentation. The absence of documentation for migrants creates another layer of vulnerability...
Scalabrini Centre Wins Court Order to Ensure Asylum-Seekers and Special Permit Holders are able to receive the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant
On June 19th, the day before World Refugee Day, the Scalabrini Centre represented by Norton Rose Fulbright were granted a court order from the Western Cape High Court, Cape Town, that allows some asylum seekers and special permit holders within South Africa to apply for the R350 COVID-19 Social Relief Distress Grant (SRD Grant). This court order came after the urgent litigation launched by the Scalabrini Centre on May 22nd. Those who wish to apply for...
