Refugees seek audience with UN
The group Namibia Refugees Repatriated is seeking an audience the United Nations, according to its spokesperson, Ueshitile Shekupe.
“We are seeking a round-table dialogue. The United Nations must report, we want an explanation. We want to approach them as soon as possible. A resolution was taken and the time has come to sit with the United Nations,” Shekupe said.
He stressed that the refugees had no gripes with the Namibian government or any political party but with the United Nations primarily.
“We need to be respected by the country, we need to be appreciated. We are not after government; we are after the United Nations. At this moment we have nothing to say to government.”
Shekupe could not indicate when they planned to approach the government as they had only met for the first time in order to plan.
In November 2016, Shekupe said they were dissatisfied with the manner in which the repatriation, rehabilitation and resettlement process was done during and after the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 435. Shekupe said they were left to fend for themselves, with no access to humanitarian assistance, and are challenged by socio-economic and socio-political problems.
“The problems which we continue to face some 26 years after Namibian independence are inextricably linked to the unsatisfactory way in which the repatriation, rehabilitation and resettlement process was implemented.”
Shekupe said the latest petition handed to UN resident coordinator Anita Kiki Gbeho is for the UN to provide the group with comprehensive information, including UN certified and detailed reports of budgetary commitments and monitoring and evaluation on how the implementation of the RRR process was done in Namibia in 1989.
The refugees complained that when they came back, many of them were near the retirement age of 60 and could not secure formal employment or education. The majority now rely on monthly state pensions.
Those who arrived while they were still young and able to work are now employed in low-paying jobs with not enough money.
They say the social and economic support by the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs does not address their plight.
STAFF REPORTER
“We are seeking a round-table dialogue. The United Nations must report, we want an explanation. We want to approach them as soon as possible. A resolution was taken and the time has come to sit with the United Nations,” Shekupe said.
He stressed that the refugees had no gripes with the Namibian government or any political party but with the United Nations primarily.
“We need to be respected by the country, we need to be appreciated. We are not after government; we are after the United Nations. At this moment we have nothing to say to government.”
Shekupe could not indicate when they planned to approach the government as they had only met for the first time in order to plan.
In November 2016, Shekupe said they were dissatisfied with the manner in which the repatriation, rehabilitation and resettlement process was done during and after the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 435. Shekupe said they were left to fend for themselves, with no access to humanitarian assistance, and are challenged by socio-economic and socio-political problems.
“The problems which we continue to face some 26 years after Namibian independence are inextricably linked to the unsatisfactory way in which the repatriation, rehabilitation and resettlement process was implemented.”
Shekupe said the latest petition handed to UN resident coordinator Anita Kiki Gbeho is for the UN to provide the group with comprehensive information, including UN certified and detailed reports of budgetary commitments and monitoring and evaluation on how the implementation of the RRR process was done in Namibia in 1989.
The refugees complained that when they came back, many of them were near the retirement age of 60 and could not secure formal employment or education. The majority now rely on monthly state pensions.
Those who arrived while they were still young and able to work are now employed in low-paying jobs with not enough money.
They say the social and economic support by the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs does not address their plight.
STAFF REPORTER
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article