Immigration activists launch detention hotline as calls for help increase

Lawyers for Human Rights has been inundated with calls for help from mostly immigrants who have been detained and cannot afford legal representation. Nearly a month ago the organisation launched its immigration detention hotline.

Head of penal reform at the organisation, Nabeelah Mia, says they deal with an average of about 10-15 calls per day. Mia says they introduced the hotline after observing that immigration officers and police are increasingly detaining immigrants without following the proper procedures under the Immigration Act.

She says another issue is the restrictive immigration policies and practices being implemented by the Department of Home Affairs, including rejection of asylum seeker applications and the cancellation of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP).

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“This has seen an increase in the number of immigrants being detained or at risk of detention. The hotline was therefore established in response to this. It was also a way to streamline access to legal assistance and advice to people in distressing situations,” she said.

According to Mia, the organisation has employees who screen all the calls and provide immediate legal advice where possible. For complaints beyond their capabilities, Mia said people are directed to other organisations within their detention monitoring network.

“We also encourage lawyers who wish to be a part of the referral network to contact us,” she added.