By Lerato Ndlovu
An African Regional Parliamentary conference expected to raise awareness to Parliaments on issues to do with refugees has commenced today in Midrand, South Africa.
In a joint statement issued by the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) the three-day conference seeks to comprehensively respond to refugee predicaments.
Rt. Hon. Roger Nkodo, President of the PAP, highlighted that the discussions to be held are a continuation of a series of initiatives that have been implemented by PAP this year.
“The regional parliamentary conference complements a series of initiatives undertaken by the continental Parliament in 2019, in line with the theme of the AU which called for firm commitments to address the difficulties faced by refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons,” said Nkodo.
PAP President expressed pleasure in hosting the conference emphasizing on the need to educate legislators and impart knowledge with stakeholders on international best practices of dealing with displaced people.
“The PAP is pleased to host this important conference organized by the IPU, in cooperation with UNHCR, as it will enable African legislators to learn and share experiences with global stakeholders in the process of finding durable solutions to forced displacement in Africa.
“We are adamant that as Parliamentarians, we need to constantly build our capacity in order to respond adequately to the issues facing our people. Therefore, this event comes at an opportune time and we hope to reflect and come up with a comprehensive framework to refugee problems across the continent,” added Nkodo.
IPU Secretary-General, Martin Chungong highlighted on the potential that legislators have in improving the welfare of refugees in their respective countries.
“Parliamentarians have the power to establish a legislative framework, allocate resources and hold governments accountable to ensure that refugees worldwide receive the protection and assistance they need,” said Chungong.
For long, parliamentarians have also been perceived as instrumental in changing the narrative from viewing refugees not just as people in need of assistance but as agents of change who can contribute greatly to the countries in which they live.
As of December of 2018, Zimbabwe was host to 18, 870 people of concern comprising of 7, 800 refugees, 10 210 asylum seekers and 860 people of concern with the vast majority coming from DRC
By Lerato Ndlovu
An African Regional Parliamentary conference expected to raise awareness to Parliaments on issues to do with refugees has will take place from the 11th to 13th of this month in Midrand, South Africa.
In a joint statement issued by the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) the three day conference seeks to comprehensively respond to refugee predicaments.
Rt. Hon. Roger Nkodo, President of the PAP, highlighted that the discussions to be held are a continuation of a series of initiatives that has been implemented by PAP this year.
“The regional parliamentary conference complements a series of initiatives undertaken by the continental Parliament in 2019, in line with the theme of the AU which called for firm commitments to address the difficulties faced by refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons,” said Nkodo.
PAP president expressed pleasure in hosting the conference emphasizing on the need to educate legislators and impart knowledge with stakeholders on international best practices of dealing with displaced people.
“The PAP is pleased to host this important conference organized by the IPU, in cooperation with UNHCR, as it will enable African legislators to learn and share experiences with global stakeholders in the process of finding durable solutions to forced displacement in Africa.
“We are adamant that as Parliamentarians, we need to constantly build our capacity in order to respond adequately to the issues facing our people. Therefore, this event comes at an opportune time and we hope to reflect and come up with a comprehensive framework to refugee problems across the continent,” added Nkodo.
IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong highlighted on the potential that legislators have in improving the welfare of refugees in their respective countries.
“Parliamentarians have the power to establish a legislative framework, allocate resources and hold governments accountable to ensure that refugees worldwide receive the protection and assistance they need,” said Chungong.
For long, parliamentarians have also been perceived as instrumental in changing the narrative from viewing refugees not just as people in need of assistance but as agents of change who can contribute greatly to the countries in which they live.
As of December of 2018, Zimbabwe was host to 18, 870 people of concern comprising of 7, 800 refugees, 10 210 asylum seekers and 860 people of concern with vast majority coming from DRC
The conference is expected to result in a declaration for parliamentarians to support the implementation of effective responses to the refugee situation that will be in line with latest global trends.
The conference is expected to result in a declaration for parliamentarians to support the implementation of effective responses to the refugee situation that will be in line with the latest global trends.
