World commemorates Refugee Day

By Tererai Karimakwenda
20 June 2006

June 20 is recognised as World Refugee Day and was set aside to remember the millions of people who are living outside their countries through no choice of their own. Many flee from war and persecution for their religion, political opinion or ethnic background. In Africa it is estimated there are about five million people living as refugees. For Zimbabweans this day has had a special meaning the last few years because millions of us have been forced to flee from political persecution and poverty and to search for better opportunities. The government has also failed to provide adequate basic services like health, education, housing and employment.
Internal refugees have not been considered in most reports on World Refugee Day, but the problem has become a serious one in countries like Zimbabwe, Sudan and DRC. In Zimbabwe alone the United Nations estimated that at least 700,000 people were displaced in 2005 by the government’s demolition exercise Operation Murambatsvina and are now refugees in their homeland.
The treatment of refugees worldwide has become a major concern for human rights advocates. South Africa has received the most criticism for its harsh treatment of Zimbabwean refugees. The government of president Thabo Mbeki has refused to officially acknowledge the crisis next door and has therefore pursued policies that make it extremely difficult for Zimbabweans to get legal status. Even high profile Zimbabwean politicians like former MDC MP Roy Bennett have been denied asylum. Illegal refugees caught in SA are either deported immediately or shipped to the now notorious Lindela Detention Centre where conditions are said to be appalling. The police in SA have also been accused of ripping up documents belonging to Zimbabweans with legal status, then arresting them for being illegal.
In the UK, Zimbabweans are currently not being sent back home if their asylum applications are not approved, but many are in limbo because they are not allowed to work. Some were in detention centres for long periods of time and even went on hunger strikes protesting the living conditions.
So June 20 holds a special meaning for Zimbabweans this year. And we think of all the refugees around the world who have lost everything because of a few power hungry men.