Press Statement on World Refugee Day – 20 June

“Real People, Real Needs”

DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights joins the international community in commemorating World Refugee Day on 20 June 2009. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), World Refugee Day is observed every year to “salute the indomitable spirit and courage” of refugees throughout the world. The theme for this year is "Real People, Real Needs" to ensure that as international attention continues to focus on the impact of the global economic crisis, we do not forget the situation of refugees and take steps towards the fulfillment of their critical needs.

With neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe continuing to experience social, economic and political turmoil, we, as citizens of Botswana, will continue to be affected.  Botswana has obligations to observe international conventions and laws relating to the protection of refugees but many refugees remain vulnerable in our society. Asylum seekers, including women and children, can remain at the Centre for Illegal Immigrants for extensive periods of time, whilst the Refugee Advisory Committee considers their application for refugee status.  Poverty is also a critical issue as many refugees have only limited access to formal sector employment in Botswana.  With limited freedom of movement, access to service delivery is also compromised.

DITSHWANELO notes the ongoing debates reported in the media that the Government of Botswana should provide refugees in Botswana with Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART).  In 2006, DITSHWANELO, in its Shadow Report to the International Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) highlighted that “Refugees are presently excluded from both the National ART Programme and the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV Programme in Botswana”.  DITSHWANELO further stated that this exclusion “clearly has adverse consequences for the health of refugees” and urged the Government to consider that “this discriminatory policy may ultimately have an adverse effect on the rate of transmission of the disease”. DITSHWANELO voiced the need for refugees to have access to ART in its presentation before the Human Rights Committee in New York in 2008 when Botswana’s Country Report on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) was being considered.

DITSHWANELO continues to urge the Government to review and reform existing legislation and policies to recognise the contemporary challenges which refugees encounter and commit to helping them rebuild their lives.  DITSHWANELO further encourages the Government to ensure that the basic needs of refugees in Botswana are addressed. 

20 June 2009
Gaborone

or more information, please contact DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights at Tel: 267 390 6998 Fax: 267 3907778, Website: www.ditshwanelo.info.bw, Email:admin.ditshwanelo@info.bw/ditshwanelo-myfuturetoday@info.org.bw