Based in Cape Town, South Africa, PASSOP (People Against Suffering, Suppression, Oppression and Poverty) is a community based NGO that advocates for refugee and immigrant rights.  By identifying and exposing corruption within the Home Affairs Department, PASSOP has greatly increased the number of asylum seekers being served each day (from around 20 before the creation of PASSOP to now over 200).  Through protest action, PASSOP has brought the issues of corruption and xenophobia to the public eye.

In 2008, PASSOP has many future projects planned, while continuing with the campaign to put major pressure on the department of Home Affairs to forfill its duties through lobbying, protest and legal action.   Above all, PASSOP is an organization about people— a voice for the voiceless.  It takes courage to be a refugee, to leave behind your family, friends, home and life and enter a new country with no knowledge of your rights.  As the UNHCR explains, “The number of people willing to corss the dangerous waters of the Limpopo-the rainy season that is just beginning increases the threat of crocodiles—indicates the depth of the problem facing Zimbabweans.“ 

Individuals do not become refugees out of choice, they are forced to do so out of necessity.  The right to a life without fear of police brutality and xenophobia is a human right. You can directly, positively influence the lives of refugees and asylum seekers forced to live in South Africa by assisting PASSOP in anyway!