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.

Helen Suzman, South African Anti-Apartheid Activist, Dies on New Year's Day

South African anti-apartheid activist Helen Suzman, who won international acclaim as one of the few white lawmakers to fight against the injustices of racist rule, has died on New Year's. She was 91. Suzman was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and fought a long and lonely battle in the South African parliament against government repression of the country's black majority and the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela Foundation chief executive Achmat Dangor said Suzman was a "great patriot and a fearless fighter against apartheid." For 13 years, Suzman was the sole opposition lawmaker in South Africa's parliament, raising her voice time after time against the introduction of racist legislation by the National Party government.

After her retirement from parliament in 1989, she served on a variety of top public institutions, including the Independent Electoral Commission that oversaw the country's first multiracial elections in 1994. She was at Mandela's side when he signed the new constitution in 1996 as South Africa's first black president. A year later, Mandela awarded her a special gold medal in honor of her contributions.

"It is a courage born of the yearning for freedom; of hatred of oppression, injustice and inequity whether the victim be oneself or another; a fortitude that draws its strength from the conviction that no person can be free while others are unfree," Mandela said at the time. Source: Huffington Post

The world has lost another icon who worked tirelessly for equal rights for all. Rest in peace, Ms. Suzman, you have done well.

Helen Suzman, South African Anti-Apartheid Activist, Dies on New Year's Day

South African anti-apartheid activist Helen Suzman, who won international acclaim as one of the few white lawmakers to fight against the injustices of racist rule, has died on New Year's. She was 91. Suzman was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and fought a long and lonely battle in the South African parliament against government repression of the country's black majority and the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela Foundation chief executive Achmat Dangor said Suzman was a "great patriot and a fearless fighter against apartheid." For 13 years, Suzman was the sole opposition lawmaker in South Africa's parliament, raising her voice time after time against the introduction of racist legislation by the National Party government.

After her retirement from parliament in 1989, she served on a variety of top public institutions, including the Independent Electoral Commission that oversaw the country's first multiracial elections in 1994. She was at Mandela's side when he signed the new constitution in 1996 as South Africa's first black president. A year later, Mandela awarded her a special gold medal in honor of her contributions.

"It is a courage born of the yearning for freedom; of hatred of oppression, injustice and inequity whether the victim be oneself or another; a fortitude that draws its strength from the conviction that no person can be free while others are unfree," Mandela said at the time. Source: Huffington Post

The world has lost another icon who worked tirelessly for equal rights for all. Rest in peace, Ms. Suzman, you have done well.