The NEWS (Monrovia)
26 March 2008
Monrovia — The United Nations agency responsible for refugees, UNHCR has issued an account of the plight of Liberian refugees in Ghana and has subsequently called on the Ghanaian government to "stop the deportation of Liberians refuges".
In a release circulated on Tuesday, the UNHCR said following the deportation on Sunday of 16 Liberians, 13 of them registered with UNHCR as refugees, the UN Refugee Agency has told the Ghana government to cease any further forcible removals.
According to the release, UNHCR has also issued another strong call to the refugee population at large at Buduburam refugee settlement, situated 35 km west of Accra, from which 70 individuals were arrested on Saturday by the government authorities in responding to an ongoing demonstration, to desist from any other unlawful actions, including the disruption of humanitarian operations and threats and intimidation which have been made against other refugees and humanitarian workers.
The refugees have since reportedly suspended their protest.
Speaking at the Headquarters in Geneva, the UNHCR Director of International Protection Services, Mr George Okoth-Obbo, said, "It is very unfortunate that the unacceptable actions of a few have led to this situation. Refugees of course have the duty to respect the laws of the country of asylum established for good public order. Any further sit-ins, demonstrations or other unlawful acts must cease unconditionally. At the same time, while fully understanding the frustration of the authorities, I would like to reiterate UNHCR's call to the Government not to make any further deportations and to work with us to address the situation through other mechanisms available within the laws of Ghana. Unfortunately, the victims in all of this are the innocent majority of Liberian refugees who call Ghana home".
The release said the "sit-in and demonstrations started in February when a group calling itself the 'Liberian Refugee Women with Refugee Concerns' started behaving aggressively in their demands to be resettled to third countries. Alternatively, they demanded for the grant being provided to Liberian refugees returning home to be increased to $1,000 from the current figure of $100. Following an initial hunger strike which included some 100 women, the group, which now had been joined by other mainly male ring leaders, escalated its instigations to a full-fledged demonstration early last week at a football compound in front of the settlement. They also disrupted several aspects of the refugee programme, including the on-going voluntary repatriation of Liberian refugees back home or self-sufficiency activities for those remaining in Ghana. Refugee children were blocked from going to school and forced to take part in the demonstrations. Humanitarian workers were threatened, making it impossible for UNHCR to visit the settlement because of security concerns".
The Refugee Agency's pleas with the refugee leaders to work with UNHCR in addressing their concerns peacefully, and warnings by the government that their actions were breaching the laws of Ghana all went unheeded.
On 17 March 2008, the Government's law enforcement agencies moved in and arrested some 630 of the group demonstrating at the football grounds, who were detained at a youth centre at Kordiabe, an hour's drive to the east of the country from its capital. On the morning of Saturday 22 March 2008, another 70 individuals, including the 16 deported on Sunday 23 March, were arrested. The arrested included neighbourhood leaders within community who, according to the Government, had a duty to stop the demonstrations, Since the deportation, the remaining 54 have been released.
UNHCR, which has worked closely with the Government since the sit-in started, has echoed that it recognizes the Government's duty to enforce its national laws. It has however appealed for it to be proportionate and measured in its response and, particularly, to uphold the humanitarian principles of refugee protection the adherence to which Ghana has a long and stellar history.
The Refugee Agency also drew attention to the situation of some nearly 90 among the group arrested on 17 March 2008 who have various vulnerabilities, including separated minors, pregnant and lactating mothers, and others living with disability or serious medical conditions. UNHCR was pleased that the Government agreed to allow this group to return to the settlement on the evening of 21 March 2008. Another 35 persons also allowed to leave the centre and return to the settlement however decided to remain there.
Following the arrests on Saturday, UNHCR had made a request to the authorities to be granted access to the group. This request was still pending when it came to the Refugee Agency's attention that 16 of the group had been deported. While reiterating its wish that a different solution would have been found, UNHCR will continue its efforts to work vigorously with the Government of Ghana on the best way forward for all those still in detention at Kordiabe and for the solution of the on-going situation at the settlement.
The Refugee Agency is confident that, notwithstanding the deportation of today, the Government will remain steady in its established record of hospitality and adherence to the humanitarian principles of refugee protection.
Together with all concerned parties, the Refugee Agency will continue its efforts of taking advantage of the opportunities which exist to drive forward the finalization of the voluntary repatriation and reintegration of the Liberian refugees remaining in Ghana and other asylum countries in the region. There are 26,967 Liberians registered formally and officially as refugees with UNHCR and the Government of Ghana, most of whom reside in Buduburam refugee camp. There is also an unknown number of Liberians living in Ghana, including in Buduburam settlement, who not formally registered as refugees.
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The refugee situation in Ghana is one that needs serious attention. while it is true that Ghana has been hospitable to the refugees(Liberians), it is so true that a little has been done to addressing some of ills on the part of Ghanian authorities and some key components of the UNHCR many of whom are Ghanian nationals.Education, for instance has been shoulder by the liberians themselves which as result caught the attention of UNHCR Country Rep. Albright to move into action, investing in multicomplex school buildings one of which was forcibly taken by the Ghanian authorities.The Refugees protest was legitimate, UNHCR has given them options to choose from. Imagine someone living in exile for 18 years and is to be repatriated with the sum of $100 US and 20 kilos of belongings what that speak of how they are going start their lives again. compare that with integration of host country that they have live 18 years and has not been integrated what prospect are there that it will work. certainly not in the future. The refugee request is a legitimate calling ($1000 US or a third country asylum or resettlement) for attention to their plight. They are the ones wearing the shoes and so feel the pains; I am a witness, I have been there and know what it looks like. The Ghanian authorities are making false alarm, they know who these refugees are, a camp the that has transformed the entire surrounding villages with attraction of banks, internet cafes, entertainments, modern hotels , attract peace corps and other social and humanitarian working folks. It is indee sad that blind eyes can be turned to these facts, of course many will expect the refugees to go to Accra street corners and beg but the fact that this is not happening it means all is well and so they can treated them any how and this sad. We need to keep speaking about this and possibly launch a probe into this matter, remember this problem will not go away it will create another conflict very soon. Thanks for the time
The refugee situation in Ghana is one that needs serious attention. while it is true that Ghana has been hospitable to the refugees(Liberians), it is so true that a little has been done to addressing some of ills on the part of Ghana authorities and some key components of the UNHCR many of whom are Ghanian nationals.Education, for instance has been shoulder by the liberians themselves which as result caught the attention of UNHCR Country Rep. Albright to move investing in multicomplex school building one of which was forcibly taken by the Ghanian authorities.The Refugees protest was legitimate, UNHCR has given them option to choose from. Imagine some living in exile for 18 years and is to be repatriated with the sum of $100 US and 20 kilos of belongings what that speak of how they are going start their lives again. compare that with integration of host country that they have live 18 years and has not been integrated what prospect are there that will work. certainly not in the future. The refugee request is a legitimate calling ($1000 US or a third country asylum or resettlement) for attention to their plight. They are the ones wearing the shoes and so feel the pains; I am witness, I have been there and know what it looks like. The Ghanian authorities are making false alarm, they know who these refugees are, a camp the that has transformed the entire surrounding villages with attraction of banks, internet cafes, entertainments, modern hotels , attract peace corps and other social and humanitarian working folks. It is indee sad that blind eyes can be turned to these facts, of course many will expect the refugees to go to Accra street corners and beg but the fact that this is happening it means all is well and so they can treated any how and this sad. We need to keep speaking about this and possible launch a probe into this matter, remember this problem will not go away it will create any conflict very soon. Thanks for the time