22 Sep 2022

Concern has been   raised about reports that some refugees at Dukwi Refugee Camp were conniving with outsiders to help them come to Botswana disguised as asylum seekers.

That was not only wrong, but illegal, Minister of Justice Mr Machana Shamukuni warned during a meeting at the camp Wednesday.

He said the practice also eroded human rights as resources that were meant to benefit deserving, recognised refugees, were diverted to cater for undeserving individuals.

Minister Shamukuni also lamented wanton vandalism of both new and old buildings at the camp as well as rampant theft of materials.

He advised refugees to regard the camp as their home and to report perpetrators to the police.

They were informed that Botswana preferred that refugees opted for voluntary repatriation whenever reasons that compelled them to leave their countries of origin no longer existed.

Refugees were expected to go back home when the situation was conducive for them to do so, said Mr Shamukuni.

He said arrangements were in place for their safe return to restart their lives and help make their countries better.

“All the refugee protection protocols will be followed,” he assured them.

The minister therefore urged refugees, whose situation allowed, to consider taking up the voluntary repatriation offer to reunite with their families and make meaningful contributions to the socioeconomic development of their countries of origin.

Mr Shamukuni reminded his audience that on World Refuge Day in June, he informed them that Botswana continued to maintain an open door policy for asylum in line with international obligations while ensuring maintenance of internal security.

The country was committed to giving each asylum seeker an opportunity to be heard within the provisions of both international and Botswana laws, he said.

Minister Shamukuni said Botswana must ensure that only people who met protection standards were allowed in the country.

He said it was of paramount importance that refugees did not abuse the process.

The refugees had requested free movement to enable them to work and sell their produce outside the camp.

They also complained of insufficient rations and that except for sanitary pads, they were not given toiletries.

Being allowed to work would help them to fend for themselves instead of relying on government and UNHCR, they argued.

Some said they had been staying at the camp for more than 20 years and requested that they be considered for citizenship to meaningfully contribute to the country’s economy. Ends