ADF Will Continue to Defend Rights of Migrants-ADF Chairperson

The Chairperson of ADF has promised that the organization will continue to defend the rights of migrants in South Africa. Marc Gbaffou was speaking at the end of year party for the organization December 12, 2015. “We appreciate commitment of members in 2015,a year worth remembering. We were up to the challenges. Even if we are seen by some officials as troublesome orgnanisation, we have to help continue defending rights of Migrants,” he said.

 He also appreciated the support of CCFD-Terre Solidaire and French Embassy which supported the ADF in 2015. Gbaffou announce the relocation of ADF offices from its present site to 9 Harley Street, Cnr Old Harrow Rd, still in Yeoville and also the creation of the ADF Women’s league, beginning 2016.

Senior ADF member Jason Osuafor encouraged members to keep the steam given that people all over the world visit Mzansi just to know more about ADF. He called for exchange of information among members so as to avoid any lapses.

ADF’s acting Head of Communication Johnson Emeka said there would be restructuring of ADF in 2016 and appreciated the fast pace at which the ADF was growing and said the organization has stretched up to Malawi. ADF’s team support staff Cyprian Ekani raised some technical issues for ADF members visibility and identification while working on the ground.

Many ADF's members took part in the celebrations of the end of year party. 

ADF JOINS FRENCH EMBASSY SA TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

The French Alliance in Pretoria on December 9 was the host of the celebration of this year’s International Human Rights Day commemorated every year on December 10.

The Ambassador of France in South Africa, H.E. Elisabeth Barbier, welcoming guests, expressed her pleasure at the presence of many African migrant associations including the African Diaspora Forum (ADF). She said her country was bent on promoting the respect of human rights all over the world and to contribute to build a society free of exclusion.

Three short documentaries on challenges faced by migrants in South Africa were screened. They include ‘Mine,’ which painted the  plight of Mozambique mine workers in South Africa whose relatives can’t have their pension and other dues paid, ‘I Belong’ (part 2) a film on stateless persons and lastly a short film on the Xenophobic violence in KwaZulu-Natal early this year (April 2015) .

Participants who took part in the event under the theme, “our rights, our freedom always” then asked questions to a panelist of experts headed by Yacob Van Garderen of Lawyers for Human Rights.

An ADF member Kennedy Khabo Mabe who appreciated French Embassy’s support to the ADF remarked that many don’t understand how the government is working because several meetings, panel discussions have been held and suggestions made but never implemented by government. There were talks of a change of approach in the protection of the rights of migrants.

Some participants wanted to know the duration of an asylum seeking process and who between the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and the United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHR) is the 'boss' in handling asylum seekers and refugee issues .“An asylum case takes 3 to 6 months to be handled. Home Affairs has to study your case. But due to a number of factors, it takes at times years. It is not only here in South Africa. It is not a matter of who is more powerful than who. It is a matter of good communication between the DHA and UNHCR. If there is an issue to sort out, we need to seat together and share ideas so that a solution can come from both sides with a good understanding between us, “replied Yacob of Lawyers for Human Rights.

There were questions about the new immigration policy to be implemented by the government. Lawyers for Human Rights explained that it is a process which is underway. It emerged that the positive activities of migrant associations is what apparently caused government to review its immigration policies.

The audience picked holes with the issue of the fate of stateless persons after the South African courts and the DHA disagree to grant nationality to a Cuban kid born in South Africa.

French Ambassador Elisabeth Barbier said there are laws which if implemented South Africa  could be a better place in the world to live in.

 AFRICAN DIASPORA FORUM (ADF) WOMEN’S LEAGUE

 PROJECT OVERVIEW

VISION

The African Diaspora Forum (ADF)Women League’s vision is to be the voice of women empowerment, emancipation, integration for migrants and South African Citizens .

Mission

 To foster a society whereby an African woman is able to lead developmental initiative within a global context. Our strategy being partnership and collaboration with likeminded institutes.

AIMS

Ø  To advocate for migrant  and South African women's  emancipation in South Africa

Ø  To act as the voice of migrant and South African women inquiries relating to service delivery.

Ø  To assist vulnerable migrant and South African youths.

Ø  To alleviate gender inequality and human rights challenges.

Ø  To foster women participation in development initiatives.

PROGRAMMS

Ø   Educational workshops on women and children’s rights.

Ø  Collaborative workshops between migrant and local women in business and in leadership.

Ø  Capacity building workshops and activities.

Ø  Participate and contribute in charity activities.

Ø  Dialogue with the government institutes.

Ø  To participate in policy related debates

MEMBERSHIP

For one to be a member she has to fill in the membership form which is free of charge

Online registration is available on our website : www.adf.org.za  and or speak to Ms Banda Tel. +27114870269/ +27114871430

Our membership is divided into 2 categories:

Ø  As an individual.

Ø  As an organisation.

PRELIMINARY REPORT

SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

AFRICAN DIASPORA FORUM AND 30 OTHERS COMPLAINANTS

And 

KING GOODWILL ZWELITHINI RESPONDENT

PRELIMINARY REPORT

1 Introduction

1.1 This report sets out the findings and recommendations of the South African Human Rights Commission (hereinafter referred to as “Commission”) in respect of complaints lodged with the Commission by African Diaspora Forum and 30 other complainants. 2

VIOLENCE AGAINST FOREIGN NATIONALS

REPORT OF THE AD HOC JOINT COMMITTEE ON PROBING VIOLENCE AGAINST 

FOREIGN NATIONALS, DATED 19 NOVEMBER 2015 

                                                        1. Introduction



The Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Probing Violence Against Foreign Nationals (the Committee)
was established by the National Assembly (NA) on 6 May 2015 and by the National Council of
Provinces (NCOP) on 7 May 2015 in terms of Joint Rule 142. The Committee consisted of 11
members of the National Assembly and 9 members of the National Council of Provinces.