Indians lead the list of asylum seekers in South Africa

DURBAN, JULY 21: Indians and Pakistanis top the list of asylum seekers in South Africa, according to the United Nations High Commission fo...

DURBAN, JULY 21: Indians and Pakistanis top the list of asylum seekers in South Africa, according to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Pretoria.

More than 6,000 Indians, 5,000 Pakistanis and 1,256 Bangladeshis have sought political asylum in South Africa up to now. However, most of them were not genuine "political refugees", the UNHCR said.

"Many of them have no genuine claim to be political refugees," UNHCR Assistant Representative for Protection, Bruno Gelo, said, adding most asylum seekers were young people "merely looking for an opportunity to improve their lives".

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"We want to make sure that genuine refugees are granted asylum speedily and allowed to take up their new lives, while those who are abusing the system are sent back just as quickly," Gelo said, adding the UNHCR will assist the South African Government in clearing the backlog.

A spokesperson for the South African Department of Home Affairs said changes in immigration laws introduced in April 1 had reduced loopholes for foreign nationals to enter the country as refugees.

"Prior to April 1, those seeking asylum were allowed to work or study in South African while their applications were being considered," he said. "But since the passing of the New Refugee Act, no applicants are allowed to do so."