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Refugee Rights Clinic

The Unit's Refugee Law Clinic provides direct legal services to thousands of refugees and asylum seekers each year.

Teaching

The Refugee Rights Unit teaches refugee law to undergraduate law and masters' students within the Department of Public Law.

Research

The Refugee Rights Unit conducts applied research in refugee law and related topics.

Advocacy & Training

The Refugee Rights Unit undertakes a significant amount of targeted advocacy and training of government officials, the judiciary, civil society partners and refugee communities.

Online Renewal Process Publications Case Law Reader Law Clinic Faculty of Law News and Events

Empowering Refugee Leaders - a social responsiveness initiative

In alignment with its Social Responsiveness portfolio, the UCT Refugee Rights Unit co-hosted a comprehensive three-day training session at the Law Faculty in collaboration with the Scalabrini Centre.

Solidarity and Accountability

Solidarity and Accountability: Can the Global Compact on Refugees Enforce Refugee Protection Obligations? Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 May 2026

RRU condemns xenophobic violence

The Refugee Rights Unit, based at the University of Cape Town Law faculty, unequivocally condemn the recent surge of xenophobic violence, intimidation, and vigilantism directed at foreign nationals across South Africa.

Refugee Rights Unit hosts Harvard intern

Lauren O’Connell, a final-year law student from Harvard Law School interned at UCT’s Refugee Rights Unit where she was able to learn from the Refugee Rights Unit staff.

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