As a white person living in South Africa for a number of years, I find the recent decision by the Canadian immigration board panel to grant Brandon Huntley, a white South African man, refugee status due to "prosecution" in his country because of his skin color to be outrageous and racist.
Huntley argued that "whites are targeted by black criminals in South Africa and that the government does nothing to protect them. He claimed he was attacked seven times during attempted robberies and muggings."
Yes, crime in South Africa is a huge problem, but to say that whites are deliberately targeted by blacks and that the government and police do nothing to protect them because they are white is an outright lie.
If the Canadian immigration board panel conducted any research before its ruling, they would find out that the large majority of the victims of crime in South Africa are black.
They would also find that white South Africans are still making far more money and enjoy far better standard of living than blacks.
Instead, the tribunal panel chair, William Davis, ruled that "Huntley would stand out like a 'sore thumb' due to his color in any part of South Africa."
"I find that the claimant was a victim because of his race (white South African) rather than a victim of criminality," said Davis.
As a white person who has been to many parts of South Africa, even the poorest black townships, I was never threatened or attacked because of my skin color.
That's why I believe Brandon Huntley and the Canadian immigration board panel are liars and racists!
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Comments: 20
BTW - it's Libya!
I agree, this debate appears to be an issue of what one S.A. white man is trying to get away with in Canada and another S.A. man having an issue with this man because he (man #1) wants to stay in Canada after his Visa has run out.
As if we no not see that here everyday--no reason to raise an eyebrow, Canada will deal with him, not the U.S.A.
I cannot see any issue here and certainly no reason to raise an eyebrow.
I repeat: I cannot see any issue here and certainly no reason to raise an eyebrow.
On the surface, I'd agree that race alone as a basis in this decision is egregious. This is, however, a reason why immigration decisions (particularly for asylum) are case-by-case.
As if he were the ONLY white in S. A.--we know he is not and so does Canada.
The pain of this nation and its people of all races is complex and will impact the rest of the world for decades to come. This is due, in part, to some of the lesser decisions it has made (ie governmental denial of HIV/AIDS relationship for a number of years that has decimated parts of the population). It is also exacerbated by the actions of some of its neighbours responses to human rights and fiscal responsiblity (Zimbabwe being the most notable) and the expectation that S.A. would help "solve" this problem.
We must accept that this is now Canada's to determine.