The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Tuesday that it has protested Zambia’s move to deport dozens of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after they took part in a demonstration.
“A note verbale sent to the Zambian authorities today [Tuesday] expressed alarm at the developments, which have affected 36 individuals from the Meheba refugee settlement in the country’s north-west,” said Melissa Fleming, spokesperson of the UNHCR.
The first six people — including a pregnant woman — were forcibly returned to DRC in February.
The remaining 30 were sent back over April 3 and 4, some of whom were separated from their spouses and children in the process, said Fleming.
Zambian authorities had expelled the refugees after they demonstrated over the removal of a Zambian registration official who was found to be corrupt, said Fleming, adding that she had no further details.
“The refugees … were given no explanation regarding the reasons for their deportation or the possibility of challenging the decision under Zambian law,” she said.
The UNHCR noted that even though refugees are required to abide by the law of their host countries, they should not be expelled if they failed to do so.
Rather, they should be prosecuted under national laws, stressed Fleming.
“The UNHCR urges the government of Zambia to halt the expulsion of refugees and asylum-seekers and to uphold its refugee protection responsibilities under international law,” she added.
Zambia is host to 57 000 refugees, including those who had fled war and civil unrest in Angola, Rwanda, DRC and Somalia. — Sapa-AFP