No refugee registration for 'UN millions'
The Namibia Refugees Repatriated in 1989 movement have distanced themselves from allegations in local media that they have been organising refugees repatriated in 1989 under Namibia's Resolution 435, to register to receive millions of dollars supposedly owed to them by the United Nations.
The group's chairperson, Ueshitile Shekupe, said they have not invited any members of their group to ask for money from the UN. “We have never spoken about money and the allegations that we are asking for money is a made-up story,” said Shekupe. He said the purpose of the refugee group is to fight for the rights of refugees repatriated under Resolution 435. “We are just questioning the programme of Resolution 435 which Namibia fell under. The repatriation, rehabilitation and resettlement process was designed to readjust refugees into a new Namibia but some refugees were not treated well,” said Shekupe.
They disputed a report published in local media that their group was inviting veterans to register with them in order to receive money from the UN. In a petition the group sent to the United Nations in 2016, it asked for documents regarding to the UN's rehabilitation process for the 1989 refugees and the current refugee status of Namibian expatriates. “The principal objective is to request your excellency, in your capacity as UN secretary-general, to provide us with comprehensive information, including certified, detailed, original reports and budgetary commitments, monitoring and evaluation of the entire UN's repatriation, rehabilitation and resettlement process,” read the petition.
Shekupe said his group will be registering refugees repatriated in 1989 on 1 and 2 July at the ELCIN centre in Ongwediva. “We are registering people this weekend so that we have a database and information on those refugees of 1989 that were repatriated under Resolution 435 of Namibia so that when we approach the UN we have enough concrete information,” said Shekupe.
Shona Ngava
The group's chairperson, Ueshitile Shekupe, said they have not invited any members of their group to ask for money from the UN. “We have never spoken about money and the allegations that we are asking for money is a made-up story,” said Shekupe. He said the purpose of the refugee group is to fight for the rights of refugees repatriated under Resolution 435. “We are just questioning the programme of Resolution 435 which Namibia fell under. The repatriation, rehabilitation and resettlement process was designed to readjust refugees into a new Namibia but some refugees were not treated well,” said Shekupe.
They disputed a report published in local media that their group was inviting veterans to register with them in order to receive money from the UN. In a petition the group sent to the United Nations in 2016, it asked for documents regarding to the UN's rehabilitation process for the 1989 refugees and the current refugee status of Namibian expatriates. “The principal objective is to request your excellency, in your capacity as UN secretary-general, to provide us with comprehensive information, including certified, detailed, original reports and budgetary commitments, monitoring and evaluation of the entire UN's repatriation, rehabilitation and resettlement process,” read the petition.
Shekupe said his group will be registering refugees repatriated in 1989 on 1 and 2 July at the ELCIN centre in Ongwediva. “We are registering people this weekend so that we have a database and information on those refugees of 1989 that were repatriated under Resolution 435 of Namibia so that when we approach the UN we have enough concrete information,” said Shekupe.
Shona Ngava
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