Brighter future for forced migrants

Our mailbox has been filling up with e-mails from representatives about their intention to implement the resolution against forced migrations.We have already reported about UK ans US's initiative to organize a fundraising event and now we received a statement from H.E. ms Juričić, representative of South Africa. We strongly encourage other delegates to think about implementation in their countries and about ways that the they themselves could contribute to the implementation.

H.E. ms. Jurčić reported that her country started to carry out some actions that will contribute to implementing the resolution and protection of forced migrants, namely they have deployed more immigration officers at the Beitbridge Border Post to solve the volatile situation caused by increased human traffic at the country’s busiest point of entry. Human trafficking was definitely an issue that most of the countries identified as a very important in the light of combating forced migrations and the resolution also included quite some clauses on the topic.

See the full statement below:

SOUTH AFRICAN STATEMENT ON FORCED MIGRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESOLUTION

 South Africa has already commended the representatives of other states for adopting the Resolution against Forced Migration on 25 April on Twitter, but wants to do it now more officially. We firmly believe that the adopted document marks a milestone in the global fight against forced migration – both against its causes, as well as its consequences.

South Africa is especially happy that regional organisations have been encouraged to cooperate more strongly with the UNHCR and that their preventive measures and protection of displaced people should be strengthened. Furthermore, it is of extreme importance that the issue of human trafficking is included. It is significant not only on the global level, but also for our country, since human trafficking to South Africa is increasing and a lot of children and women are sexually exploited. At this point, we want to emphasise that we have already started implementing the resolution. In the spirit of the provisions, South Africa has deployed more immigration officers at the Beitbridge Border Post to solve the volatile situation caused by increased human traffic at the country’s busiest point of entry. This has been decided by our Home Affairs co-Minister Kembo Mohadi and by his Zimbabwean counterpart Mrs Naledi Pandor in order to end the chaos at the border. Mess at the border opens up easier ways for human traffickers and smugglers due to lessened control. More immigration officers and more clearance points will therefore ensure better control and hopefully more effective prevention of human trafficking and smuggling.