Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia calls for rethink of immigration White Paper

The Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia has issued a clarion call for the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB), recently reinstated by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, to withdraw the White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection.  

In a statement released on their Facebook page, Kopanang highlighted the novelty of the IAB’s formation, marking the first appointment of its kind in over a decade. “At the beginning of April, the Minister of the Department of Home Affairs announced the appointment of the Immigration Advisory Board for the first time in more than 10 years since the Board was disbanded,” it read. “This appointment comes at the right time when matters of regulation and policymaking need reasonable participatory processes.” The organisation expressed hope that the IAB would champion sound policy that reflects the values embedded in South Africa’s constitution. 

In tandem with this statement, Kopanang launched an online petition demanding the Department of Home Affairs retract the bill in its current state and extend the deadline for public submissions. The organisation asserted, “We also demand that the department implement the recommendations proposed by civil society organisations such as Lawyers for Human Rights and the Socio-economic Rights Institute (SERI), as they have extensively worked with members of the community directly affected by these laws.” 

The Department of Home Affairs has faced criticism for its pace in gathering public commentary, having recently closed submissions for the White Paper. Originally opened in November 2023, the deadline was extended to January 31, 2024, only after significant backlash from civil society groups, highlighting that the time allotted was insufficient for meaningful public engagement. Many organisations, including SERI and the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa, have echoed calls for a more inclusive participation process, arguing that the timeline feels rushed given the radical proposals outlined in the paper. 

The anticipated policy statement, which aims to overhaul asylum and immigration systems, has stirred contention, especially regarding its claims about the number of migrants in the country. Estimates suggesting there are between 5 to 13 million migrants have been heavily contested, with critics labelling the numbers as unverifiable and misleading.  

Kopanang urges the Department of Home Affairs to consider these demands seriously and to allow for a thorough, inclusive public participation process. Such critical legislation should not be rushed, as it directly impacts the lives of countless individuals and communities across the nation, it added. 

Concerned citizens can support Kopanang Africa’s petition through the organisation’s social media channels regarding the White Paper. 

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