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- Ensure that DHA in Johannesburg verifies in a timely manner
the status of asylum seekers and refugees who have been arrested or
detained. All staff having contact with migrant populations should be
trained to identify asylum seekers and channel them into the asylum
procedure.
- Substantially increase the number of appropriately trained
staff and the facilities at refugee reception offices for more efficient
processing of asylum applications, the determination of status, and the
issuing of refugee identity documents.
- Strengthen the anti-corruption unit within DHA to urgently
address incidents of corruption in the refugee status determination
system. Investigate and prosecute any officials alleged to be involved
in corrupt practices.
- Provide competent, official interpreters to assist
refugees and asylum seekers through the asylum application and status
determination process, including any appeals.
- Establish an information desk at refugee reception offices
to assist with queries from asylum seekers and refugees. Appropriately
trained officials and interpreters at the information desk should explain
to refugees and asylum seekers their rights and obligations, and assist
with providing information about local service providers.
- Prominently post signs at refugee reception offices in the
main languages of asylum seekers that clearly state that all services are
to be provided free of charge and that any request by reception office
personnel for money or other favors should be reported immediately.
- Provide a clear complaint mechanism for asylum seekers and
other clients to register complaints. Provide means to assure that
complaints will be considered without prejudice to refugee status claims. Assure
that the staff member about whom the complaint is directed is not involved
in receiving or processing the complaint. For example, complaints could be
submitted directly into a secure complaint box that would be opened
regularly by the head of office and a DHA official from outside the
office. Assist illiterate clients in submitting complaints.
- Increase coordination and cooperation between DHA and
other government departments to facilitate access to social services for
refugees and asylum seekers. In particular, refugees or asylum seekers who
act as foster parents or guardians for unaccompanied refugee or asylum-seeking
children should receive government financial support for the care of
children.
- Improve administrative procedures to ensure that
unaccompanied children seeking asylum are able to enter the refugee status
determination process as soon as possible and be immediately referred to
the Department of Social Development for assistance.
- Develop a protocol for refugee reception office officials
on processing asylum applications of unaccompanied children. Such a
protocol should include, at a minimum, standards for interviewing
children, meeting their special needs, performing best interest
determinations, and undertaking family tracing.
- Based on the general principle that children should not be
detained, establish a referral system for unaccompanied children detained
at Lindela deportation center in order that they are moved to more
appropriate, alternative accommodation as soon as possible.
- Ensure that recognized refugees are not forced to resubmit
the substance of their claims periodically, when extending their refugee
identity documents or their refugee status permits, but are instead
granted a secure legal status that cannot be withdrawn without proper
application of the cessation clauses contained in the Refugees Act.
- Assist the South African government to devise strategies
aimed at better integration of refugees and asylum seekers into the South
African community. This should include instructing private institutions
and employers to recognize DHA documents pertaining to refugees and asylum
seekers.
- Assist the government to develop written and video
materials that clearly outline the rights and obligations of refugees and
asylum seekers. These materials should be in the languages widely spoken
by the refugee community.
- Advise DHA on developing official protocols for assisting
and protecting refugee and asylum-seeking children, including
unaccompanied minors, to promote the best interests of the child.
- Develop a wider and deeper network of implementing partners
to ensure that all refugees and asylum seekers in need of assistance are
adequately supported.
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