In the case of refugee matters it means the minister of defence and security, his or her permanent secretary and all directors responsible for the welfare of the human beings we call asylum seekers or refugees can likewise assume that role. Whenever countries grant asylum to people, they do so out of the realisation that these are fellow human beings with the same feelings like the rest of humanity, and certainly no lesser species of the human race, as there is none. They are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters. These are hurting people.
Many have lost entire families and those whose loved ones may yet be alive have no prospect of ever reuniting with them again, let alone know that they are alive. When they escape to another country, asylum seekers do so in the hope that the people in that country will appreciate their circumstances and will not allow political friendships with the asylum seekers' tormentors to cloud their judgement. Nor do they expect authorities in the country of their anticipated refuge to dilly-dally when they have to decide whether to accept the asylum seekers or not. For many years now, a number of asylum seekers - several tens really, have remained in Botswana after their requests for asylum were turned down. Several evaluations of the asylum seekers have been made but no action has been taken either by the UNHCR or the government to transfer the people to another country, which may be willing to accept them. In their various correspondence with government, the UNHCR and the media, the asylum seekers have complained about what they believe are dirty tricks played by certain officers in the offices responsible for their fate. Unfortunately, these are the same officers who advise government and the UNHCR on what they think should be done with the asylum seekers. When a minister or a head of the UNHCR who has never had a meeting with the asylum seekers utters such statements as "these people are illegal immigrants who came here for greener pastures," or "they are only trying to find a passage to Europe," what does he or she base his statement on? Are there facts to back such statements? And what a way to gain passage to Europe if these people can endure up to 12 years of non-belonging. We are not saying that any case that comes to Botswana for asylum should be accepted. What we believe should happen is that if government is not prepared to accept the asylum seekers, it should facilitate their transfer to another country and not keep them in limbo as has been the case with the current rejected asylum seekers. Government and the UNHCR should also stop tossing these poor people from pillar to post! It is absolutely ridiculous to expect people whose tomorrow they have spent every day of their existence worried about that the "current minister is only acting and cannot take action on your case." Whatever happened to our spirit of botho and kindness? Today these men and women walk the streets. But they belong to neither the UNHCR or the government. Surely, taking a decision does not need over a decade, especially when it is over a life and death situation of fellow human beings. It is time both the UNHCR and the government declared their position and did the right thing. If it means appointing altogether new or different officers - who would do their job without undue interference from those who are part and parcel of the mess then for goodness' sake do it! (Read also the letter from the asylum seekers under opinion)
