From Sonke Gender Justice <[email protected]>
Subject LHR and Sonke Gender Justice to Challenge Failure to Re-Open Cape Town Refugee Reception Office
Date May 10, 2021 12:58 PM
  Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.
  Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.
** LHR and Sonke Gender Justice to Challenge Failure to Re-Open Cape Town Refugee Reception Office
------------------------------------------------------------


** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
------------------------------------------------------------

On 12 May 2021, the Western Cape High Court will hear the matter of Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town (“Scalabrini”) v Department of Home Affairs (“DHA”) with regard to the DHA’s consistent failure to comply with court orders to reopen the Cape Town Refugee Reception Office (“CTRRO”). Scalabrini seeks to compel the re-opening of the CTRRO, which has been closed since 2017. Lawyers for Human Rights (“LHR”) represents Sonke Gender Justice (“Sonke”) in the matter, which will make submissions on the gendered impact that the continued closure of the CTRRO has had on asylum seekers.

In particular, Sonke will argue that the continued closure of the CTRRO has resulted in increased exposure to racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia and transphobia for women, children and members of the LGBTQ+ asylum seeker and refugee communities, all of which impugn the constitutional right to dignity of these groups.

These arguments are particularly poignant given the “second pandemic” of gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa, as well as the unique reputation of the City of Cape Town as an LGBTQI+ friendly, African City. Many LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers, especially those fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation, come to Cape Town believing that they will be free from such persecution. The prolonged closure of the CTRRO means that access to safe haven in Cape Town is significantly reduced.

Sonke originally faced challenges by the DHA in gaining admission as amicus curiae in the matter. Amongst other things, the DHA argued that Sonke’s submissions with regards to the intersectional burdens that women, children and members of the LGBTIQ+ community share were of no relevance to the case. The Court in response highlighted the DHA’s “over-simplistic analyses of the issues in dispute”, and further confirmed that the overlap of Sonke’s interests with those of the first applicant did not prevent Sonke from placing factual and legal issues before the Court concerning the impact on women, children and LGBTQI+ persons.

For more information, please contact:

Lawyers for Human Rights:

Charné Tracey
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Telephone: +27 (0) 11 3391960

Sonke Gender Justice:

Kayan Leung
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
078 302 7887
[link removed] Share ([link removed])
[link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2F2161f71161f0%2Flhr-and-sonke-gender-justice-to-challenge-failure-to-re-open-cape-town-refugee-reception-office Tweet ([link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2F2161f71161f0%2Flhr-and-sonke-gender-justice-to-challenge-failure-to-re-open-cape-town-refugee-reception-office)
[link removed] Forward ([link removed])

============================================================
** Website ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
Copyright © 2020 Sonke Gender Justice, All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you subscribed via our website or requested your address to be added to our mailing list.

Our mailing address is:
Sonke Gender Justice
1st Floor, Sir Lowry Studios
95 Sir Lowry Road, Cape Town, 8001

** Add us to your address book ([link removed])

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
Sonke Gender Justice . 122 Longmarket Street . Cape Town, Western Cape 8001 . South Africa
Screenshot of the email generated on import

Message Analysis

  • Sender: Gender Justice
  • Political Party: n/a
  • Country: New Zealand
  • State/Locality: n/a
  • Office: n/a
  • Email Providers:
    • MailChimp