Canadian Government Grants White South African, Brandon Carl Huntley, Refugee Status after He Claims He Suffered Persecution Because of His Race

Brandon Carl Huntley, a white man from South Africa, was given refuge status in Canada after claiming persecution in his native country. This has undoubtedly angered many in South Africa where race remains a sensitive issue. The Immigration and Refugee Board issued its ruling late last week in Huntley's favor. I am sure this is the first time a white South African has been granted refugee status in Canada after claiming persecution by black South Africans. Funny, the tables have turned after years of apartheid and continuing economic and social woes in South Africa.

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. His attorney Russell Kaplan, a South African native who moved to Canada 20 years, said in an interview that 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 and that Kaplan's fears of persecution are justified based on the evidence he submitted.

In his its written decision, Davis said "I find that the claimant was a victim because of his race (white South African) rather than a victim of criminality." It also said that Huntley "has presented clear and convincing proof of the state's inability or unwillingness to protect him."

Sorry, but given the history of South Africa, I find it very hard to believe that this man was picked on repeatedly due to the color of his skin without any police intervention. I hope that the Canadian government will grant blacks from South Africa seeking refugee status the same consideration. We all know that South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world, as well as one of the highest unemployment rates, so to claim he's being persecuted because he is white is sensational, at best. It's ironic that Huntley made a refugee claim in 2008 after staying in Canada illegally for a year with a work permit.