Meeting of the UN Protection Working Group (PWG)

The urgent ad hoc Protection Working Group meeting, held on 19 August 2026 and attended by Ms Berenice Marks on behalf of the Inclusive Society Institute, focused on ongoing efforts to address racism, xenophobia and social cohesion, as well as the protection of migrants and refugees.

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development provided updates on government initiatives, including preparations to commemorate the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. The City of Johannesburg outlined plans for an awareness campaign focusing on documentation and regulatory compliance. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees presented an incident analysis highlighting persistent social tensions, migration-related concerns, funding constraints affecting assistance programmes, and protection challenges across several provinces.

Members reported numerous protection concerns, including police harassment, unlawful detention, evictions, barriers to accessing healthcare and documentation, anti-migrant protests, and challenges faced by informal traders, particularly in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. The meeting also noted positive developments in Ladysmith following a court ruling that allowed affected businesses to reopen. Engagements with law-enforcement agencies and government authorities concerning protection matters remain ongoing.

Key priorities identified include:

• Addressing misinformation and online hate speech;

• Strengthening engagement with the media and relevant stakeholders;

• Implementing an awareness and capacity-building initiative in eThekwini;

• Reviewing the Protection Working Group’s Terms of Reference and workplan; and

• Considering the ad hoc participation of Refugee-Led Organisations to ensure that community perspectives are represented within the Working Group.