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Human Rights Violations and Mistrust among Refugees in South Africa: Implications for Public Health during the COVID Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Aron Tesfai

    (Discipline of Psychology, School of Applied Human Sciences, College of Humanities, Howard College Campus, University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa)

  • Michaela Hynie

    (Department of Psychology, Centre for Refugee Studies, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada)

  • Anna Meyer-Weitz

    (Discipline of Psychology, School of Applied Human Sciences, College of Humanities, Howard College Campus, University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa)

Abstract

Despite the open policy of integration, refugees in South Africa have been experiencing increasing exclusion and discrimination in socio-economic development and from social services. State-sanctioned discrimination contributes to mistrust among marginalized groups toward the government and its institutions. However, public trust towards healthcare authorities and government institutions is critical during pandemic outbreaks to ensure the population’s willingness to follow public health initiatives and protocols to contain the spread of a pandemic. Eleven key informants, including refugee community leaders and refugee-serving NGOs, were virtually interviewed about refugees’ access to healthcare in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of inconsistent access and discrimination on their trust of public healthcare initiatives. Interviews were analyzed using critical thematic analysis. The results suggest that refugees’ access to public healthcare services were perceived as exclusionary and discriminatory. Furthermore, the growing mistrust in institutions and authorities, particularly the healthcare system, and misperceptions of COVID-19 compromised refugees’ trust and adherence to public health initiatives. This ultimately exacerbates the vulnerability of the refugee community, as well as the wellbeing of the overall population.

Suggested Citation

  • Aron Tesfai & Michaela Hynie & Anna Meyer-Weitz, 2023. "Human Rights Violations and Mistrust among Refugees in South Africa: Implications for Public Health during the COVID Pandemic," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:12:y:2023:i:4:p:224-:d:1118973
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eri Bertsou, 2019. "Political Distrust and its Discontents: Exploring the Meaning, Expression and Significance of Political Distrust," Societies, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Alberto Alesina & Paola Giuliano, 2015. "Culture and Institutions," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 53(4), pages 898-944, December.
    3. Hakimu Sseviiri & Amanda Alencar & Yeeko Kisira, 2022. "Urban Refugees’ Digital Experiences and Social Connections During Covid-19 Response in Kampala, Uganda," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(2), pages 276-286.
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