Adopt a non-refoulement stance towards Caprivi refugees

Mmegi Editor | Wednesday May 6, 2015 14:16

The refugees fled to Botswana in the 1990s following political chaos in the Caprivi. 
Early this year, the Botswana and Namibian governments signed an agreement whereby the remaining Namibian refugees would be expected to return to Namibia by December 31 this year. However the refugees have insisted that the agreement puts their lives in jeopardy.

They have since petitioned Government of Botswana, Namibian High Commission and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Botswana, to reconsider given the fact UDP leaders were still in exile and the party was currently banned in Namibia.
The petition read in part: “It is important to mention that the president of UDP, Hon Mishake Muyongo, and the traditional chief of Mafwe, His Royal Highness Boniface Mamili are all in exile. So far these leaders and members of the UDP, dully referred to as Namibian refugees have not denounced their political opinion or objective of an independent [Caprivi] Strip.”

It went on: “on the other hand, the virtual persecutor, who they ran from, and who is the Namibian government, has not stated whether or not the political opinion of the concerned refugees is still construed as a crime or treason.” The refugees have further argued that they have on numerous occasions suggested a “political roundtable” – dialogue - between them and the Namibian government with the United Nations and Botswana arbitrating. They say they believe such dialogue will help to peacefully resolve the political dispute, which is the reason they sought refuge in Botswana in the first instance.

No one enjoys being a refugee. That is the more reason why anybody should gladly accept repatriation to his or her native country. The refugees though, feel the Botswana government and the UNHCR have been too eager to trust the Namibian government’s assurance that it will not persecute them. They fear persecution and even death once they get back home. That fear, no matter how unfounded the Botswana government or the UNHCR view it to be, should be reason enough to halt the repatriation. This is because refugees deserve the right to be protected from forced return or expulsion to places where their lives or freedoms could be threatened. The Caprivians have said they are fearful that they may be jailed or killed or persecuted in some way or another. That should be enough reason to wait, dialogue and find a peaceful solution. We urge the UNHCR and the Government to think along these lines. Otherwise we shall all construe the repartriation as forced  - as refoulement.

  We also urge rights groups such as Ditshwanelo which previously did a great job when it came to Caprivi refugees, such as in the case of the 13, to also fully come on board.

Today’s thought

“Compassion is the signature of Higher Consciousness. Non-violence is the tool to evolve into the Higher Consciousness.”

 

– Amit Ray