Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concern over the continued harassment of refugees and asylum seekers in Zambia through arrests and deportations.
And Zambia has so far this year received 2,145 new arrivals of refugees and asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Burundi in addition to the over 100,000 refugees and asylum refugees in the country.
Speaking during the commemoration of the World Refugee Day in Lusaka today under the global theme, “Everyone has the right to seek safety” and the local theme, “right to seek asylum for protection and safety”, UNHCR Country representative Pierrine Aylara states that everyone has the right to asylum and seek for protection from violence or persecution in a country other than their own.
Ms Aylara states that no one must be forced back to the country where their life or freedom would be at risk, adding that countries must not block access to those seeking refuge.
She bemoans that despite Zambia being a party to a number of conventions pertaining to refugees, refugees within Zambia still encounter legal barriers to their full enjoyment of freedom of movement and they are constantly are arrested by immigration officers.
And officiating at the event, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu assured that all the concerns that have been brought forth by the UNHCR regards the harassment of refugees and asylum seekers will be looked into.
Mr Mwiimbu says Zambia continues to maintain an open door policy for asylum seekers.
He has further stated that Government is committed to concluding the refugees local integration program and the formulation of the refugee policy before the end of this year.