South Africa's Top Court Bars Repeat Asylum Applications
South Africa's top court has upheld a ruling that bars previously rejected asylum applications from being resubmitted, the BBC reported. The decision aims to relieve a long-standing backlog in the asylum system. Human rights groups warned the move could put genuine refugees at risk.
South Africa's Constitutional Court has upheld a lower-court ruling that bars previously rejected asylum applications from being resubmitted, the BBC reported. The judgement aims to ease pressure on the country's asylum system and reduce the ongoing application backlog. The Home Affairs Department said the new framework would help prevent abuse.
South Africa hosts one of the largest asylum-seeker populations on the continent. Rights groups said the court's decision could create risks for people who are not safe to return to their country of origin. Lawyers also warned of administrative uncertainty during the transition to the new application format.
The ruling lands as broader structural reform of South Africa's asylum system is being debated. The government said it is in technical dialogue with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Home Affairs Department added that it would hire additional staff to reduce the queue.
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