Border centres for immigrants a worry for SA refugee experts

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Proposed changes to South Africa's Refugee Act – including setting up "camps" close to the border – may aggravate xenophobia towards asylum seekers rather than provide much-needed relief‚ refugee policy experts warned on Monday ahead of a crucial debate in parliament.

Government has proposed setting up "processing centres" at strategic border posts to speed up adjudication of asylum applications amid a growing backlog of cases which has overwhelmed the system.

But the move has been slammed by some as a move towards refugee "encampment"‚ which is contrary to South Africa's current approach of allowing asylum seekers to work in South Africa pending adjudication of their case.

By setting up border centres South Africa would be obliged to provide asylum seekers with free food and shelter in terms of international law‚ and this could fuel simmering resentment towards foreigners living in SA‚ experts warned.

More at: http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/20...for-immigrants-a-worry-for-SA-refugee-experts