BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—A human rights lawyer has asked government to suspend its plan to relocate refuges who are spread across the country back into their camps.
The authorities have given the refugees up to Wednesday 28 April, 2020 to go back to their camps failing which government will force them into the camps.
However the decision has met resistance by both the refugees and some stakeholders who are asking government to give them more time before implementing the decision.
Chrispin Sibande, a human rights lawyer, in an interview with MIJ FM, monitored by Maravi Post, has said government is violating section 20 of the country’s constitution which is against discrimination and that they have also been given a short notice.
Conquering with Sibande, a DRC community leader from Dzaleka refugee camp Sangu Ulumwene asked Malawi government to integrate them into the communities.
He also said the decision by government will only make their lives miserable as the conditions in the camps are not favorable.
But Richard Chimwendo Banda, who is the Minister of Homeland Security, has insisted that government will proceed with its plan and the date remains 28 April, 2021.
Malawi government gave refugees and asylum seekers who left the country’s only refugee camp, Dzaleka, 14 days to return to the camp or face eviction two weeks.
The homeland security minister said about 2,000 refugees who currently are living among the communities outside the camp pose a danger to national security. But rights campaigners warn the government must implement the order while being careful to avoid stirring up resentment in communities against the refugees.
