08 Oct 2015

The Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi is attending the 66^th session of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Programme in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 5-10. 

The purpose of the meeting, which is attended by 96 members and 36 observer states, is to reflect on countries’ past experiences, and on how they can continue to offer protection to persons fleeing from violence and unrest in many countries.

A press release from the ministry says the minister gave a statement during the general debate of the high level segment in which he highlighted Botswana’s commitment to working with the UNHCR in the identification and protection of durable solutions for refugees.

He emphasised that Botswana has over the years received refugees from other African countries, provided them with security, accommodation, health, education and other services, adding that some of the refugees have since returned to their countries of origin and are meaningfully contributing to the development of their nations.

Mr Kgathi also informed the meeting on the peace prevailing in the SADC region owing in part to the region-wide cooperation arrangements in various fields including defence and security and that the region is proud of its achievements, states the release.

The minister informed the meeting that Botswana has announced its decision to invoke cessation with respect to refugees originating from the Zambezi region of Namibia, and that the cessation will take effect on 31 December 2015 and that the government is committed to implement cessation in line with international standards. 

About the disturbing new phenomenon of an emerging dimension of migration that manifests itself in the form of a wave of secondary movement of refugees and asylum seekers, the minister said these secondary movements are disturbing as they are likely to dilute the asylum landscape within the region and if not contained would have the potential to pollute migration in the region at a time when the region is peaceful and stable. 

In response to Minister Kgathi’s statement, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees publicly endorsed Botswana’s decision to effect the cessation of refugee status of all Namibian refugees in Botswana and acknowledged the excellent working relations between the governments of Botswana and Namibia and UNHCR.

Furthermore, the minister held bilateral meetings with the regional director of the Bureau for Africa, Mr Valentin Tapsoba to discuss matters of mutual concern relating to issues of refugee protection. He also met the Namibian Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, Ms Phendukeni Iivula-Ithana to review progress on the cessation of refugee status in respect of Namibian refugees.

Minister Kgathi, who is accompanied by Botswana’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Mr Mothusi Palai, secretary for Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Augustine Makgonatsotlhe and other senior government officials are expected back home today. Ends