Divided into three thematic parts to guide the reader, this important volume documents the development and implementation of refugee policy in South Africa over a 10-year period from 1996 until 2006. In doing so, it addresses issues of detention, gender, children and health as well as welfare policies for refugees. The contributions, all written by academics and practitioners of refugee protection, vividly illustrate the tangible shifts and concerns of a process that is not only aimed at establishing policies and legislation but also practices concerning refugees.

Jonathan Klaaren is Professor of Law and Acting Head of the School of Law at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

Acknowledgements

IntroductionJeff Handmaker,Lee Anne de la Hunt andJonathan Klaaren

PART I: THE DEVELOPMENT OF REFUGEE POLICY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Chapter 1. International and National Responses to the Challenges of Mass Forced DisplacementGuy S. Goodwin-Gill

Chapter 2. Regional Integration, Protection and Migration Policy Challenges in Southern AfricaLoren B. Landau

Chapter 3. Talking a New Talk: A Legislative History of the Refugees Act 130 of 1998Jonathan Klaaren,Jeff Handmaker andLee Anne de la Hunt

Chapter 4. Refugee Status Determination Procedures in South African LawJonathan Klaaren andChris Sprigman

PART II: THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REFUGEE POLICY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Chapter 5. Due Process in Asylum Determination in South Africa from a Practitioners Perspective: Difficulties Encountered in the Interpretation, Application and Administration of the Refugees ActLee Anne de la Hunt andWilliam Kerfoot

Chapter 6. Starting with a Clean Slate? Efforts to Deal with Asylum Application Backlogs in South AfricaJeff Handmaker

Chapter 7. Solucão Durável? Implementing a Durable Solution for Angolan Refugees in South AfricaJeff Handmaker andDosso Ndessomin

PART III: SPECIAL ISSUES ON REFUGEE POLICY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Chapter 8. Detaining Asylum-seekers: Perspectives on Proposed Reception Centres for Asylum-seekers in South AfricaFrankie Jenkins andLee Anne de la Hunt

Chapter 9. Protecting the Most Vulnerable: Using the Existing Policy Framework to Strengthen Protection for Refugee ChildrenVictoria Mayer,Jacob van Garderen,Jeff Handmaker andLee Anne de la Hunt

Chapter 10. Protecting the Invisible: The Status of Women Refugees in Southern AfricaNahla Valji,Lee Anne de la Hunt andHelen Moffett

Chapter 11. Realising Rights: The Development of Health and Welfare Policies for Asylum-seekers and Refugees in South AfricaFlorencia Belvedere,Piers Pigou andJeff Handmaker

ConclusionJonathan Klaaren andJeff Handmaker

APPENDICES

Appendix I: Refugees Act 130 of 1998Appendix II: Regulations to the South African Refugees Act, Government Notice Department of Home Affairs No. R 366, 6 April 2000

Bibliography Notes on Contributors Index