The theme “Protection” to mark World Refugee Day today could not have been better chosen because over 50 million refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) worldwide are still struggling to put their lives together and searching for the most basic of human protections.
It is therefore no under statement to reiterate that refugees are the most endangered people anywhere on the virtually threatened and many times ignored. In many situations, refugees lose all their possessions, basic security, family and at times their lives.
Some refugee settlements have become locations of varied abuse including rape and defilement and the worse victims of such atrocities have been women and children. This is because refugee women and children have become vulnerable. They are consciously and deliberately targeted during conflicts and wars. They are assaulted, violated and murdered. Many more millions die of starvation, diseases and now HIV/AIDS, making the situation, unimaginable. During fights, these women and children are the first to die out of diseases, torture and exhaustion. The World needs an environment which respects and promotes human rights such as survival, security, access to education and health. This is the surest way the refugee would feel protected.
Appropriate management interventions can make refugees self-reliant to take their own decisions and support and protect their undoubtedly, a more effective collaboration between all the humanitarian organisations, NGOs, Governments and human rights groups as vital partners would mitigate human rights violations of refugees making them protected.
It therefore behoves the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to continuously evolve diplomatic manoeuvres to remind and persuade host governments to always protect refugees wherever they may be located. In fact, the recent xenophobic uprising in South Africa which displaced many people of different African origins and left quite a number dead is a strong point for IDPs to be equally protected.
It would even not be out of place if the United Nations (UN) considers extending the mandate of UNHCR to also cover such developed countries which commendably serve as third world countries of Asylum in resettlement programme for refugees would increase their annual quotas for many more refugees who genuinely cannot go back to their countries of origin to enjoy the privilege of resettlement.
With those protected environments, these refugees can re-build their lives. It is worth mentioning that the co-operation between UNCHR (Ghana), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ghana Refugee Board (GRB) have in no doubt led to an enabling environment for refugees to live peacefully in the country. It will therefore be very necessary that refugees also complement such privilege by simply obeying the laws of their host countries. Finally, we as Ghanaians are reminded to safeguard the peace we are enjoying in our lovely country especially in this election year. Such peaceful environment becomes our best protection as a nation. In fact, belonging to different political parties in a free and fair election is a stepping stone for us to either win honourably or lose graciously.
