UNHCR’s Observations on the ‘White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection: Towards a Complete Overhaul of the Migration System in South Africa’

In the present submission, UNHCR addresses the following issues raised in the White Paper: Proposals to withdraw from the 1951 Convention; Promotion of social cohesion; Access to socio-economic rights; Access to citizenship and birth registration; Border management; Non-penalization for illegal entry; Fair and efficient asylum procedures; Asylum-seekers arriving in South Africa through other countries; Persons involved in criminal activities; Cessation of refugee status; Return of those not or no longer in need of international protection; Mixed movements of refugees and migrants.