Refugee Law in South Africa. Edited by Fatima Khan and Tal Schreier.

Abstract

Refugee Law in South Africa is a well-researched and articulately presented volume edited by Fatima Khan, the director of Refugee Rights Unit in Cape Town University, and Tal Schreier, an honorary research associate of that Unit. As emphasized in the volume, South Africa has the legal tools for asylum-seekers to enjoy their rights, secure protection and integrate into the local community. However, in spite of the existence of these tools, asylum-seekers are often prevented from claiming asylum and enjoying their basic rights. Inter alia, this is as a result of widespread xenophobic attitudes (held even by some of their service providers), a lack of knowledge about asylum-seekers’ and refugees’ rights, as well as refugees’ multiple and often overlapping vulnerabilities themselves. As a whole, the book sets out to equip law students and refugee lawyers alike with the skills to defend refugee cases: its core aim is to serve as a guide for legal practitioners when applying the established law in order to provide genuine protection and facilitate meaningful integration. The book therefore has three functions: documenting the law; capturing the changes regarding its applications and practice; and advocating for improvements in the system to maximise the wellbeing of refugees and asylum-seekers in South Africa.