South Africa: Human Rights groups slam S.Africa over migrant treatment

from Reuters AlertNet

Human rights groups have criticised South Africa for what they say is appalling treatment of foreigners in the country illegally, many of whom are held for weeks in brutal conditions before being shipped home.
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Many are deported before they are able to apply for asylum, or simply because they do not have their papers with them.
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Zimbabweans make up the bulk of illegal foreigners deported by South Africa, and Ramjathan-Keogh said the process is often brutal with migrants taken by train to the Zimbabwe border and then held in outdoor pens pending repatriation.

Escape attempts, which involve trying to leap from the train, often end in death, she said. "This shows how desperate they are not to be sent back," she said.
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