Persecuted in South Africa for being white man gets refugee status in Canada

Canada’s immigration and Refugee Board found a clear and convincing proof that a South African Man, Huntley, was persecuted for being white and would stand out like a sore thumb due to his color. Thus it found a fit case to grant him the refugee status in Canada.

Huntley had been attacked as many as seven times by Black South Africans between 1991 and 2003. Four times of these attacks were potentially fatal. He claimed that he has been repeatedly been called a white dog. The judge ruled that the attacks were because of his race rather than because of criminality.

Judge was also convinced by the evidence offered that the South African Government showed a picture of indifference, inability and unwillingness to protect white South Africans from persecution by black South Africans.

Huntley had traveled to Canada in 2004 and worked for a brief period of 6 months on work permit and then continued to stay on illegally until making his refugee claim in April last year..

Surprisingly, Huntley had not lodged even a single Police complaint as he had no faith in South African Police. Though he had been employed in Africa, but he claimed that his employment had been because of family connections and not the social system.

Huntley claimed that he could not survive in South Africa any more and was constantly afraid because of his skin color.

Refugee Board Member Davis found Huntley a credible witness as his story was consistent and "plausible".

The decision is being taken by many with a pinch of salt. SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) chief executive Tseliso Thipanyane said,"I find the finding rather odd, actually," he said last night. "The commission will not dispute the fact that there are white people who are attacked by black people on the basis of racism, but it also happens the other way round and the majority of victims of crime in the country are not white people."

He wondered if Canada is going to offer asylum status to people of “color” from South Africa who have been attacked more than seven times or does this judgment applies only to whites?

Continuing he said that I'm not justifying crime in South Africa at all, I just want Canadians to be doing the right thing and understand that crime in SA sees no color.