SA accepts white refugee ruling
2009-08-31 22:05
Cape Town - A representative of the South African High Commission in Ottawa, Anesh Maistry, says South Africa has taken note of the decision by Canadian authorities to grant a white South Africa, Brandon Huntley, refugee status.
Huntley, 31, claimed that he would be persecuted if he returned home to South Africa.
Speaking from the High Commission's office in Ottawa, Maistry told News24 that Canada was a sovereign country that made its own laws. Canada had followed its own internal processes and was legally entitled to make whatever decisions it wanted.
The Ottawa Sun reported earlier that Huntley had presented "clear and convincing proof of the South African government's inability or unwillingness to protect him" to a panel of the Canadian immigration and refugee board.
Tribunal panel chair William Davis said Huntley's evidence "showed a picture of indifference and inability or unwillingness" of the SA government to protect "white South Africans from persecution by African South Africans".
Canadian decision
Maistry told News24 that the High Commissioner had been aware of the ruling, but had not seen a transcript of the proceedings. He said if a transcript became available, the High Commission would forward it to South African authorities.
Asked if the High Commission's office in Ottawa was concerned that a precedent could have been set for other South Africans in Canada to follow suit, he said he had no reason to comment, because Canada was a sovereign state and could make decisions as it saw fit.
When asked if the South African High Commission's office had been asked for comment or input prior to the decision being taken, Maistry emphasised that it had been unnecessary, because it was Canada's decision that mattered and he had no reason to comment.
Disgust
Earlier, home affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa told News24's Verashni Pillay that the government was "disgusted" by the ruling.
Mamoepa said the department had heard about the "baseless allegations against our people and our country".
"It would have been courteous for the Canadian government to allow the South African government to respond to the allegations," Mamoepa said.
This is the first time a white South African has been granted refugee status in Canada claiming persecution from black South Africans.
'White dog'
The Canadian newspaper reported that Huntley - who grew up in Mowbray, Cape Town - claimed he had been attacked seven times by black South Africans.
He said he was called a "white dog" and a "settler".
"There's a hatred of what we did to them and it's all about the colour of your skin," Huntley reportedly said.
"His claims would have been preposterous and laughable, had they not been so serious," said Mamoepa, who was previously spokesperson for the then-named department of foreign affairs.
Huntley first went to Canada on a six-month work permit in 2004, and returned in 2005. He stayed on illegally and made a refugee claim in April 2008, the Ottawa Sun reported.