The Department of Home Affairs will on Tuesday, 20 June 2017, commemorate the World Refugee Day by hosting a Dialogue aimed at promoting social cohesion among refugees, the migrant community and citizens.

 

Further to this, the Dialogue seeks to highlight the mutual benefits of migration and the responsibility of protection towards refugees.

 

This year’s commemorations are held under the theme: "#withrefugees".

 

Home Affairs has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the eThekwini Municipality to celebrate the 17th edition of the World Refugee Day.

 

World Refugee Day is celebrated annually to honour the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homes under threats of persecution, conflict and violence. On this day, the international community seeks to draw attention to the plight of refugees and celebrate their courage and resilience.  

 

South Africa is committed to securing legal protection of refugees as provided for under international law, and also informed by the rights in the country’s entrenched Bill of Rights.

 

As part of the commemorations, there will be a dialogue amongst various sectors (women, youth, business) where the migrant community and South African citizens will discuss issues that affect them and explore areas of mutual interest.

 

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Fatima Chohan and the UNHCR Regional Representative, Sharon Cooper are set to attend the dialogue.

 

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Venue: The Playhouse, Durban

Time: 09h00

For media enquiries contact Thabo Mokgola (Home Affairs) on 060 962 4982 or Markku Aikomus (UNHCR) 081 797 7456

For media accreditation contact Shiela Meso on 082 907 8635 (Home Affairs)

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ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS

19 June 2017