United in advocating for best practices in migration
About Us
Building a Strong Network For Migration Advocacy in Southern Africa
SAMIN: Advocating for Rights Across Southern Africa
Our network comprises members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), as well as refugee and migrant organisations. We collectively advocate for the rights of refugees and migrants in Southern Africa. SAMIN was birthed at a consultative conference organised by two of our member organisations, Africa Unite and the African Diaspora Forum, with the support of the CCFD Terre Solidaire from 17-19 May 2019 at the Parktonian Hotel by Marriott in Johannesburg, South Africa. Participants included CSOs from Benin, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe as well as individual migrants living in South Africa. Our network has grown from strength to strength with more CSOs and individual migrants joining us from Angola, Botswana, and Namibia.
- We are guided by the objectives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which, among others, are to achieve economic development, peace and security, growth, alleviate poverty, enhance the standard and quality of life of the people of Southern Africa, and support the socially disadvantaged through regional integration.
- We are committed to the achievement of key international and regional development goals aimed at sustainable social and economic development, including the Sustainable Development (Agenda 2030) and the Africa Union Agenda 2063, which advocates for the free movement of people as part of the continental integration agenda.
- We acknowledge that Southern Africa has a long history of population movements for more than one hundred and fifty years (both voluntary and forced). Mobility has been a central and defining feature of the region’s politics, economy, and culture. Most SADC Member States are shrewdly strafing improved migration, exerting efforts on control and exclusion. Many continue to view migration as a threat, not an opportunity, as they are not well prepared or capacitated to respond to sustained flows of migrants.
- We believe that developing a solid network of relevant organizations within SADC member states and other African regional bodies is essential. We therefore strive to establish partnerships and promote complementary service delivery and the establishment of linkages between local service providers and the international community to aid in local capacity-building and assist in promoting the regional migration agenda.
Objective
To hold SADC governments accountable to develop and implement human rights-based migration laws and practices.
To strengthen collaboration and networking of different stakeholders in migration issues.
To influence and encourage the implementation of policies and regulations that will lead to the attainment of the African Union Agenda 2063.
To lobby SADC governments to ratify, domesticate and implement International legal instruments pertaining to migration.
To improve capacity and knowledge management in migration issues across the board.
To relentlessly advocate for the safety and security of migrants in spaces, where they are.
Core Pillars
Research & Documentation
To work with academia to develop research for advocacy and documentation of the state of migration and challenges in free cross border migration.
Lobbying & Advocacy
Supported by concrete research, to advocate and lobby for equal recognition and treatment of both migrants and citizens of host countries. Further to advocate for elimination of the root causes of forced migration..
Dissemination of Information
To work with academia to develop research for advocacy and documentation of the state of migration and challenges in free cross border migration.
Share Good Practices And Networking
Supported by concrete research, to advocate and lobby for equal recognition and treatment of both migrants and citizens of host countries. Further to advocate for elimination of the root causes of forced migration.
Partnership
Explore our efforts to protect and empower migrants and refugees across Southern Africa. Learn about our initiatives, advocacy work, and how we’re fostering inclusive communities.
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The Benoni Declaration: A Bold Step Toward Protecting and Empowering Migrant Women in Southern Africa
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Migration, State Sovereignty, and Urban Migrant Solidarity: Reflectionson Prof Harald Bauder’s Presentation
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Send Us a Message
Office
6 Spin Street, Cape Town South Africa
IDASA Building
secretariat@samin.org.za
Fax: +27 86 614 5266
Contact
Office: +27 21 4616551
Mobile: +27 81 333 7665