‘All refugees deserve equal respect’

The Pan-African Parliament held a commemorative event in parliament in Midrand in celebration of World Refugee Day (20 June) hosting dignitaries, refugees and some of the big, well-known organisations as well as non-profit organisations.

The session held on 20 June was like no other, including a food buffet for all guests, musical entertainment by the Soweto Gospel Choir and the Rwandan Refugees Cultural Group as well as a panel representing PAP, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Future Families, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Arts and Culture and Old Mutual.

The main focus was to come up with ideas to tackle the root causes of people being forced to leave their countries.

Vice president of the parliament Chief Fortune Charumbira said it was important to keep the Africa United (AU) theme, ‘Year of refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons: Towards durable solutions to forced displacements in Africa’, in mind when he welcomed everyone and opened the panel discussions. “In an age where most populations are ageing, the old African continent is again emerging and growing and will have a population of over two billion people by the year 2050. I trust the fact that the AU agenda 2063 commits to addressing the protection of refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons as well as migrants in all situations.

“The vision of inclusive growth and sustainable development in Africa can only be achieved if we completely and comprehensively address the questions of displacements of our people.

“As a parliament we note how topically relevant the AU theme of the year is as Africa is looking after the largest number of refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons. Consequently, PAP through its committees, deliberately deliberated extensively on the AU theme during the sitting held in May in parliament this year and the PAP will effectively take hold of leadership to resolve conflicts in Africa through polices and strategies that strengthen national systems and structures that prevent conflicts and displacements on the continent.

“Parliamentarians, PAP says we should effectively contribute to the eradication of the structural sources and drivers of conflict which include corruption, extreme poverty, gender inequality and other forms of violations including human rights, low political participation, organised crime, resource mismanagement, rule of law issues and youth unemployment. So, as we seek solutions we should ask ourselves if the solution we are offering are addressing the symptoms or solutions to the root causes.

“Because refugees have left their homes escaping inhumane conditions, like natural disaster and political persecution leading to loss of family members and their homes, they are traumatised.”

However, speakers like Faith Chirinda who works with Future Families Civil Society, stressed that while putting measures in place to solve the root causes of forced migration, refugee host countries should understand that populations that have been uprooted are the future of their countries and the majority are women and children.

“We should never make them feel like beggars, criminals or, even worse, like a commodity to be traded between countries. As long as war is a part of the human condition none of us are immune to becoming refugees so therefore, all refugees deserve equal respect, compassion and as ‘civil society’ we will continue to champion that until our voices are heard.”

Related article: 

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/213763/refugees-to-get-help/