Journal of Refugee Studies Vol. 19, No. 3 Ó The Author [2006]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org doi:10.1093/jrs/fel012 Advance Access publication on 8 August 2006 Protection and Dignity in Johannesburg: Shortcomings of South Africa’s Urban Refugee Policy LOREN B. LANDAU Forced Migration Studies Programme, Graduate School for the Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag X3, Wits 2050, South Africa landaul@migration.wits.ac.za Since the end of apartheid, South African cities have become destinations for refugees and asylum seekers from across Africa. In line with its constitutional commitments to human rights and dignity, South Africa has enacted a refugee policy intended to maximize freedom and protection by promoting refugees’ temporary integration into local communities. In doing so, the law guarantees freedom of movement, access to many social services, and rights to compete in labour and housing markets. This article argues that because refugees and asylum seekers are effectively unable to convert these legal entitlements into effective protection, South Africa has failed to meet its domestic and international obliga- tions. This argument draws particular attention to institutional failures in deter- mining refugee status and issuing recognizable identity documents; denial of essential social services; and abuse at the hands of law enforcement agents. It concludes by suggesting a positive obligation for the state to counter the full range of obstacles that prevent asylum seekers and refugees from securing effective protection. Keywords: urban refugees, protection, South Africa, local integration Introduction With its post-apartheid constitution (signed 1996), South Africa set a global standard for promoting social, economic, and political rights and human dig- nity through state action. It is also distinguished as one of the few African countries to encourage refugees to self-settle in urban areas. Indeed, except where the arrival of refugees poses a grave threat to security and welfare, the law makes no provision for camps. To facilitate temporary integration into urban areas, displaced persons are legally entitled to access labour and housing markets once they apply for asylum at one of the country’s five refugee reception offices. After receiving a positive asylum decision, refugees are for- mally granted many of the rights to health care, education, and social assistance at University of Witwatersrand on November 21, 2014 http://jrs.oxfordjournals.org/ Downloaded from