Refugee status for white South African

[claidheamhmor]

This really pisses me off:

SA white gets refugee status
2009-08-31 14:55

Ottawa - A white South African man has been granted refugee status in Canada, after an immigration board panel ruled he would be persecuted if he returned home to South Africa, the Ottawa Sun reports.

This is the first time a white South African has been granted refugee status in Canada claiming persecution from black South Africans, the newspaper said.

Brandon Huntley, 31, presented "clear and convincing proof of the state's inability or unwillingness to protect him", the Canadian immigration and refugee board panel ruled last Thursday.

"I find that the claimant would stand out like a 'sore thumb' due to his colour in any part of the country,” tribunal panel chair William Davis said.

Attacked seven times

Huntley's "subjective fear of persecution remained constant and consistent" up to the time he made his refugee claim, Davis noted.

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.

He 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.

- Ottawa Sun

- News24

Source: News24

It's really a bit of a cheek. Yes, there is crime in SA, and yes, I'm sure there are racial overtones to many crimes - but such things happen to many people, black, white and in-between. There is not, however, institutionalised support of hate crime in the country, contrary to what the Canadian court thinks. Brandon Huntley, is one of those privileged South Africans (most of whom, as it happens, are white) who have the money and resources to be able to leave South Africa for another country. And now he's a "refugee"!?

Hayibo has an amusing take on it: Canada shocked to learn Hartley wasn't last white in SA

Comments

[jordan179.livejournal.com]

Brandon Huntley, is one of those privileged South Africans (most of whom, as it happens, are white) who have the money and resources to be able to leave South Africa for another country. And now he's a "refugee"!?

By definition anyone applying for refugee status will be someone who has "the money and resources to be able to leave" their home for another country. I'm not sure why it particularly bothers you that refugee status should be granted to a white South Africans, unless you blame all present-day white South Africans collectively for apartheid and feel that they should be forced to remain and suffer in South Africa under its present semi-barbaric regime.

[claidheamhmor]

Thing is, Huntley moved to Canada several years ago (and believe me, given the exchange rates and cost of living differentials, it's difficult for South Africans to emigrate), and only when his work permit expired did he apply for refugee status.

By claiming refugee status on the basis he did, he is saying that there is a general situation where black South Africans are persecuting white South Africans on the basis of race - and that simply isn't the case.

As for suffering and semi-barbaric status, I have no idea which country you're referring to, but it's not South Africa. White South Africans are, generally speaking, by far the most privileged group in South Africa, and living standards are pretty good.

There is crime, yes (even though overall crime rates are lower than some first-world countries) - but black South Africans are just as subject to crime as white South Africans are, and generally don't have the same capability to protect themselves.

[jadedflame.livejournal.com]

I dunno, I would tend to agree with Canada's ruling, even if the information they were given was warped a little.

Think, most South Africans (All races) need to employ private security peoples to protect their houses, because the police cannot. I mean, even if your house has been broken into, and you need the police there to do fingerprints etc - they normally only arrive 1-2 days later...

I do however think that him getting all upset because he was attached 7 times, and called a white dog and settler were one of the worst things done do him... makes him somewhat of a wimp! :)

Wouldn't he have more of case if he said he was being discriminated against in the work place due to BEE preferring to give jobs to non-whites?

[windrider-09.livejournal.com]

Well, I was reading the follow-up to this on IOL and guess what our lovely ruling party stated?
"The ANC on Tuesday called the outcome of Huntley's case "racist"."

[claidheamhmor]

I don't like people pulling out the race card, but the ANC are right; that decision was racist. The Canadian judge has essentially stated that black South Africans (sorry, "African South Africans") are persecuting and attacking white South Africans on a general basis, and that's simply not the case. There are isolated racially-motivated incidents of violence, yes, but they happen both ways.

[windrider-09.livejournal.com]

I think it is where the generalisation is our enemy here - there are plenty black South Africans who attack other races (especially Caucasian) based on hatred, racism and sense of entitlement. Are they the majority? I doubt it. This government IMO is racist, but then aren't they represented by a majority of our people?

[claidheamhmor]

The generalisation is the whole point, indeed - which is why the decision was racist.

[claidheamhmor]

I'm a bit dubious of the guy's story, to tell the truth. He was attacked *seven* times by blacks who racially insulted him...but he didn't report a single one of those assaults? Very suspicious.

[ihlanya.livejournal.com]

The guy's obviously a chancer, and is using the racist threat card to get what he wants .. basically, residency in Canada.

That said, I think that people granting this kind of refugee status need to be a lot more aware of the living and working conditions in the country the refugee is from. This kind of ignorant high-handed decision sends a negative and totally incorrect statement about South Africa to the rest of the world.

It's not really under debate that SA has a high crime rate, although from what I can gather it is falling, and not before time. The fact remains that the SA police and courts aren't doing anything about it, whether the reason is corruption or being overworked.

I'm a bit undecided about this situation, whether he's right or wrong to ask for refugee status. I do think he's a chancer. And I do think they should have kicked his arse back to SA. He doesn't HAVE to live in Cape Town.

Is black on white crime in RSA racially motivated?

[why-we-are-white-refugees.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

Is Black on White Crime in South Africa racially motivated?

Know any journalist who is willing to put their money where their mouth is, on their opinion? A blogger journalist is willing to put a Krugerrand (R10,000) on her opinion that black on white murder, rape and assault is racially motivated….

Any journalist willing to put thier money where their mouth is, and take the bet?

http://why-we-are-white-refugees.blogspot.com/

Re: Is black on white crime in RSA racially motivated?

[claidheamhmor]

Every single instance?