It must be known that there are only three (3) categories established which refugees are subjected to namely; -
(1) VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION; -
Voluntary repatriation only occurs when the Government of the Republic of Zambia through Ministry of Home Affairs reach a consesus or common understanding with the involved refugees by agreeing that it is safe for them returning to their native home Country.
No single person must be forced to return home without consenting. In the event that a refugee is mascred or brutally slained upon returning home, the risks are high of denting the image of the Country that compelled them to leave. Voluntary repatriation as suggested by the name itself must only be opted for by the victims themselves who must be willing returning home.
Voluntary Repatriation of Refugees / Photo by UNHCR.ORG
Authorities responsible have a duty ascertaining that the individuals involved would be safe on their return. It is only after establishing that the victim's lives would not be at stake and that there is no more Political Instabilities that Authorities would let them go.
(2) RESETTLEMENT TO OTHER COUNTRIES; -
This is another option provided for the refugees whose circumstances does not favor them to remain within the host Country.
Previously we had numerous Countries in Europe that opened up their doors for the refugees. Nowadays, Scandinavian Countries among them Sweden, Finland, Switzerland including Canada and the United States of America have been willing taking up some refugees into their custody.
Ordinarily once the prospective refugees are identified, they are subjected to some form of scrutny where Authorities responsible conduct some interviews in order to establish their genuineness and credibilities.
All along the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have been spearheading the process and the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees (COR) has been used as a rubber stamp only.
(3) LOCAL INTEGRATION; -
Local Intergration is another option granted to some selected Refugees. This is a process through which some Refugees are allowed to blend and dwell amongst the local people.
The Zambian Government has been reluctant and skeptical accomodating some Refugees to be accepted dwelling together with the local citizens due to a number of reasons. There are numerous reasons proving that some political Instabilities being experienced in Countries like CHAD and DRC are due to some questionable characters who came in the name of Asylum seekers and Refugees.
It is for the above reason and several others that the Zambian Government has been taking it's time intergrating some refugees. Relevant Authorities in Zambia are however pondering and contemplating the possibilities of embarking on intergrating some refugees.
Movement for Promoting National Values and Principles (MPNVP) is being considered by the Republic of Zambia to be used as a conduit in Actualizing the Intergration process. Once confirmed, the Organization in collaboration with the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees (COR) will begin conducting some form of Orientation to the prospective refugees.
The program is meant to inculcate National Values and Principles in the minds of the selected Refugees. The selected Refugees must be taught about the Zambian culture, beliefs, traditions, mannerisms, acceptable behaviour, dress code, attitudes, types of food consumed, mindsets, norms and common languages used by the locals.
The idea behind conducting orientation programs is to capacitate the refugees so as to help them blend and dwell together with the local people without much challenges.
HIGHLIGHTING THE ANOMALIES IN THE THREE PROCESSES.
It must be highlighted the fact that the Zambian Government is fully involved and responsible in handling Voluntary repatriation and Local Integration and yet when it comes to Resettlement the Government is only used as a rubber stamp.
Movement for Promoting National Values and Principles wish to categorically state that the Zambian Government through the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees (COR) must take up it's full responsibility by assuming the role of ascertaining refugees who qualify to be resettled.
The Office of the Commissioner must be fully involved starting with the identifications, selections, scrutnizing, recommending and finally qualifying selected Refugees. Chances are high that the process can be abused, usurped and we risk jeopardizing the Security and Peace of the Country allowing UNHCR handling the whole process.
Just like the UNHCR always comes in as facilitators when Prohibited Immigrants are deported from the Country, the role of UNHCR ends at providing logistics and meeting other social amenities. Recently, MPNVP is overwhelmed with reports of Malpractices and Corrupt deals when it comes to selecting refugees who qualify for resettlement.
While the New Dawn Administration is busy fighting Corruption, it is futile and naive on the part of the Government ( Office of Commissioner - COR) standing aloof and watching aimlessly when some Refugees are being discriminated in the process. Some greedy, gluttonous and scruprious people have been extorting some refugees by demanding for huge sums of monies as kickbacks.
MPNVP is appealing to the donor communities and other interested partners like the Nowegian Government, the Swedish Government, the Germany Government, the Danish Government, the Finish Government, the Japanese Government, the Chinese Government, the Indian Government, the Italian Government, the Canadian Government, the USA and other International Donor Communities to come on board rendering a helping hand to the Zambian Government in facilitating the three (3) processes meant to help in improving the welfares of the Refugees.
MPNVP is also calling upon the Zambian Government to expedite the process of all the three (3) processes in order to lessen the burdens, grievances and anxieties of the refugees in the Country. Let the refugees who qualify be allowed to relocate to other Countries on merit. We are tired of seeing refugees being arrested by the Immigration every day.
Rather than allowing refugees to remain STATELESS, we need to allow some selected Refugees dwell with the locals through Local Integration.
On the other hand, no single refugee must be forced or compelled going back to his home Country. Voluntary repatriation as suggested by the name itself must be done willingly by the involved parties while the Government has a responsibility ensuring that there is peace and tranquility in Countries where refugees hail from.
We also look forward to seeing the legislature affecting Refugees amended so as to lessen the restrictions on refugees. The Refugee Act number 1 of 2017 and Immigration/Deportation Act of 2010 is being reviewed so far by relevant authorities. It is our prayer that some Laws that are burdensome will be done away with and soon a lasting and durable solution for the Refugees will be found!
MPNVP - PIONEERS IN THE PROMOTION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE, EQUITY, CONSTITUTIONALISM,
EQUALITY OR FAIRNESS AND NATIONAL UNITY.
