Catholic Bishops oppose forcing refugees to Rwanda
8.0 Rwandese Refugees
…For I was a stranger, and you welcomed me (Matthew 25:35)
As church leaders with a long tradition of advocacy for refugee rights, we recognise that Zambia has had more than 50 years of refugee protection in this country. Since Independence, Zambia has always been ‘an oasis of peace’ in the midst of a region of conflict. This has consequently made Zambia a haven for refugees.
We are therefore greatly disturbed by complaints among refugees, especially those from Rwanda that the Ministry of Home Affairs, in agreement with the local United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and possibly the Rwandese government, is trying to forcibly repatriate Rwandese refugees from Zambia. We believe that it is not right for the Office of the Zambian Government’s Commissioner for Refugees and the UNHCR, to remove the refugee status from Rwandese nationals based in Zambia or those from other countries and to oblige them to return to their own country against their wishes. In this respect, it is perhaps an opportune time for Zambia to review the Refugees Control Act, 1970, with a view to instituting protection against refoulement, even on selective country basis. This would be in keeping with Article 33(1) of 1954 United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Convention and the United Nations Principle on Non-Refoulement
We are inclined to agree with the United States Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International that this is not the time to facilitate the removal of the refugee status. Moreover, the refugee population in Zambia has greatly declined with the voluntary repatriation of thousands of refugees. If anything, we would thus request the Zambian Government to regularise the status of some refugees in this country and facilitate that they be accorded local integration, including freedom of movement and of employment. This will enable them to live normal lives.
Issued at Kapingila House, Lusaka, Zambia on 29 January, 2012 and Signed by
§ His Eminence, Medardo Cardinal Joseph Mazombwe
§ Most. Rev. Ignatius Chama – Archbishop of Kasama, Apostolic Administrator of Mpika and ZEC President
§ Rt. Rev. Alick Banda – Bishop of Ndola and ZEC Vice President
§ Most Rev. Telesphore-George Mpundu – Archbishop of Lusaka
§ Rt. Rev. Raymond Mpezele – Bishop of Livingstone
§ Rt. Rev. Emilio Patriarca – Bishop of Monze
§ Rt. Rev. George Cosmas Zumaile Lungu –Bishop of Chipata
§ Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde – Bishop of Solwezi
§ Rt. Rev. Evans Chinyama Chinyemba, OMI – Bishop of Mongu
§ Rt. Rev. Clement Mulenga, SDB– Bishop of Kabwe
§ Rt. Rev. Benjamin Phiri – Auxiliary Bishop of Chipata
§ Mons. Ignatius Mwebe – Apostolic Administrator of Kasama
§ Very Rev. Fr. Michael Merizzi, M.Afr. – Apostolic Administrator of Mansa
§ Most Rev. James Spaita – Archbishop Emeritus of Kasama
22 Responses to Catholic Bishops oppose forcing refugees to Rwanda
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what zambian bishop are asking is a good move as pastors representing a mass of catholics who for a long time are known to be champions in defending human rights and speaking on behalf of the voiceless.
time and now refugees in zambia have been receiving different assistance from the church in general,so it is not a disaster if now they are pleading for refugees to be integrated in zambia society.
dodo - February 3, 2012
15:35
It good that zambia,s bishops have a passionate heart for refugees staying in zambia,a move wich will save them(refugees)from falling prey to some immigration officers.
Dodo - February 2, 2012
19:44
I have been leaving in Zambia from 95 and Zambia is my home. I am very happy of the church leader’s decision to support refuges. I have a Zambia wife and many of my friends are Zambians and I would like to be called Zambian rather than Rwandan. I would encourage all Rwandans leaving here to be fully committed to this peaceful country.
It is true that some Rwandese wh come here may behave differently and most of these people have the strong link with the Rwanda government to tarnish the image of the Rwanda refugees who leave here so that they can be expelled. Some of these Rwanda government snipers are even involved in killing of opponents as it can be seen in many newspapers.( http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10358171 or http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/rwanda/8784788/Third-plot-to-assassinate-Rwanda-general.html) We, Rwandan refugees strongly condemn those animal behavior.
God bless Zambia
Dunia - January 31, 2012
12:31
I think there is too much peace again in Zambia.
I have respect for all the Bishops and I respect their advise to the Gorvernment.
I have gone to school with refuges from Congo, Rwanda and Angola. If you were to ask me to stay with one from any of these countries, I will choose Angola. They are less Violent than the Congoless and the Rwandies. The Rwandies should go Back to Rwanda. Most of these guys are Violent and lawless, PLEASE let them go.
To the Bishops, please one day when you go to South Africa, delibelately don’t put on your white colors and see how we are treated when we Visit other countries.
Gundown - January 30, 2012
13:53
I’m terribly saddened by some comments on this blog. refugees did not find themselves in this situation through their own liking. Circumstances led them to be in this situation. Zambians are not immune to being refugees. They are just human like anyone else and we may one day find ourselves in this situation. The Catholic Bishops are just drawing the attention of the GRZ to their obligations as per international treats they signed. They should definitely not be insulted. They have always issued these kind of Pastoral letters from time immemorial. This does not mean they are wiser than other people. they are just expressing their views
The Real Muntu - January 30, 2012
12:28
Charity begins at home!!!!Recall this adage, these Rwandees refugees and many others from various war torn countries need our support. God has blessed us with vast and, many natural resources and most of all peace. Let us utilize it by sharing with the disadvantaged and God will add more to what we have. Well done Catholic Bishops, may others Pastors, Reverends, Preachers etc be seen to speak for the masses. We as Zambians are indeed blessed.
Mpimpa - January 30, 2012
10:21
THIS IS A GOOD GOVERNMENT. WE NEED TO SUPPORT WHAT IT DECIDES WITHOUT COMPLAINTS. THE ONLY ADVICE MAYBE SHOULD COME FROM ONE SOURCE AS IT IS AND THE REST LUCK KNOWLEDGE.
Sena - January 30, 2012
09:57
Imwe these guys need to go back, war ended along time ago. These are the same pipo taking over markets in Lusaka when u Zambians are bussy crying for employement but have been taken over by the same pipo you re supporting. These will soon start stealing our property, raping our kids sisters brothers & other evil thngs.
The Must go please, they dont want coz the get paid by UNHCR so they dont want to loose that money they receis=ve so they can take over all the market & shops in Zambia.
MMC Chilebabes - January 30, 2012
09:30
Some Catholic priests in Rwanda were involved in Genocide.This country is not for catholics only but that it is for all Zambians.
We follow the rule of law and not the beliefs of catholisism.
These bishops seem to have formed there own cabinet that can wake up and decide what law to break and direct govt on what to do.
The Government must not bow to such pressure.
The reasons for the refugees coming here was that there was civil war in their country but now they is peace therefore they must go back where they belong.
Even in America if you are an illegal immigrant then they depot you.
michael - January 30, 2012
08:02
Without asylum to refugees, millions of them would have died in Africa and worldwide. Look at Zimbabwe, over a million are there in the UK, over 2 million in South Africa, and many of them are in employment in Zambia, Botswana and many other countries (North America and Europe).
We do not want hate speeches and blame games in Zambia. Let things be done as per International practices and good governance. Zambia is not one man show and the man goes, Zambia goes. It is a great nation and has to live and thrive beyond ‘narrow tunnel view thinking of Mr. Sata and his bootlickers, minions and cohorts’
We cannot set precedents and hatred for Zambians among fellow African and worldwide just because of ill advice or narrow thinking of one man.
Thank you Catholic Bishops. Let other congregations also speak.
status - January 30, 2012
05:33
Mr President you are a Catholic and the representatives of our Church all that you believe in have spoken please listen to them. We are one of the very few countries in Africa who have never known civil war the almighty god has blessed us, we are peaceful people. Please help those Rwanda refugees. Even here in the United Kingdom there so many refugees who have been accepted by the British goverment even though there countries of origin are now stable they have not been asked to go back except for some of those who came in later. Listen to the advise you have been given, leave a legacy positive legacy after you are gone. May the lord guide you in your decisions.
frank Saliki-Wales-United Kingdom - January 30, 2012
03:26
you talk as if you have never been to other coutries
Check your words, the same will catach up with if you think refugees are nothing.
I am not bemba but bembas say umwana ashinda atanshs yina ukunaya and that is you
Go to other countries the you learn how to treat people
And if you think the whole of bishops are talking from without may God deliver you.
I repeat mr president please listen to God and the men of God.
Refugees must stay.
chinyanga kalela - January 30, 2012
01:26
You are thinking of the refugees, when are you going to stand up for Zambians who you are supposed to serve? Are you supporting them because they are Catholics? Two wrongs don’t make a right. If you want to serve them go hand fight their wrongs in Rwanda. Zambians have sacrificed from foreigners to the point foreigners seem to have more rights than Zambians. If it is about little pay. Offer the Zambian the same job that you are giving the refugee. It is opportunity and exposure that the Zambian who sells tomatoes in the street hasn’t been given. Sata has come to serve them and now you are suggesting that the Zambia go to the back of the queue again, this refugee didn’t even vote. And yet your piousness gives you the right to suggest that the rights should be circumvented for the rights of the refugee? As I said earlier. Lets look how these refugees have gotten their jobs? At the expense of the Zambians? There are Zambians that have the education but are unable to get a job, because the are being put on the “back burner” for refugees. If you want to fight for them. Go and make Rwanda safe for them to live. You as bishops put your lives at stake for them because right now you are shouting out for them before the folks that lack the chance to provide for themselves in their own country. Who are you serving?
Joe - January 29, 2012
23:11
Many thanks for the Bishops for standing up for the Rwands Refugees and other Angolan refugees.
I know the president fear God and will surely do the right thing and the right thing mr president
is to let the people stay.For your attention mr president we have many of the refugees people who are working as docotors with very little income but there are so hard working, at least I personely know a couple who are both docotors and have been in zambia for over 15 years,there childern were born in zambia.I know not all them are good people but please let these refugees stay.
mr president I know your heart though you may not know me but my husband knows you very well,you are a good man full of compasstion, who respects people and I am sure you will listen to the bishops.
As for the refugees we are praying for you and it shall be well God will Never leave you.
chinyanga kalela - January 29, 2012
22:04
We are one people,please all well meaning people should support this cause that our brothers and sisters should be allowed to stay.
Mankwampu - January 29, 2012
21:51
IF ZAMBIA IS TOO SMALL, WE WILL ACOMMODATE SOME IN BAROTSE LAND AFTER ITS GIVEN TO US. AM GRATEFUL TO THE CATHOLIC LEADERS FOR THEIR CONTINUED VOICE ON PROTECION OF THE VULNERABLE PIPO IN SOCIETY.@ Pounds &pence not every catholic clergy man is a peadophile just like not every man is a rapist!!! stereo typing cud be retrogressive to meaningful development so check your tongue
kapoko - January 29, 2012
21:48
Unchr did remove the refugee status of rwandese a few yrs ago. They even facilitated their repatriation for the willing ones. Why dont they want to go? Even today they are still calling their relatives into zambia for business. They are selfish and dont want to be integrated into zambian society unlike other nationals. Let them go back
Zambian - January 29, 2012
21:41
i have Rwandeese frends who are so didicated to serving Zambian lives even with very little pay. thy have been in zambia for over ten years.. Zambia is now like home to them. even if thy left their country as kids,Horrific memories of how their parents and relatives were brutally massacared still haulnt them. Rwanda is not a place thy can call home,if thy aint willing to go back,i strongly believe we have an obligation to keep them.we are a christian nation and thats a non negotiable commandment that we ought to keep if our pronounciation as a Christian NATION is to be meaningful to CHRIST WHOM WE FOLLOW.
kapoko - January 29, 2012
21:37
Bravo to the Zambian Catholic Bishops for opposing the repartriation of the Rwandese refugees. The same should apply to the Angolan refugees. Let them be considered for local intergration. Look at the United states of America, there are people who come from different countries and yet they are permanently settled there and they are able to visit their countries of origin. Let our brothers and sisters be allowed to stay in Zambia. Who knows, we may also become refugees in the countries where these refugees come from.
Chepela - January 29, 2012
21:25
Catholic priests are paedophiles are they now abusing refugees kids?
pounds and pence - January 29, 2012
21:20
Great move for the catholic bishops because these are our brothers and sisters.
kakesido - January 29, 2012
20:50
That is what Idi Amin Dada did to refugees.Can’t you see similarity in governance.You asked for it and no amount of prayers will address logic to be kind to mankind.Even the ten commandments are of no value as at now.Worse things are yet to come for sure.
Advocate - January 29, 2012
20:44