Recommendation on the Situation of Refugees in Africa
The Forum on NGO Participation at the Ordinary Session of the ACHPR recommends:
That the Commission:
- consolidates the African mechanisms for the prevention of conflicts;
- promotes the avenue of peaceful resolution to conflicts which lead to the forced displacement of populations;
- ensures the prompt implementation of the memorandum of agreement between the ACHPR and HRC;
- invites the NGOs concerned to contribute to the implementation of the objectives of the process;
- organises a conference of concerned parties in order to discuss the mandate and prerogatives of the focal point.
That the States:
- reinforce the protection and free movement of asylum seekers and refugees through the proper enforcement of those national and international legal instruments geared towards optimum protection of human Rights;
- provide safe havens for the displaced population, for their ease of access to humanitarian assistance and restrict the risk of influx from neighbouring countries;
- involve the authorities and communities in the handling of refugees and development programmes and conflict prevention in the allocated zones;
- to vigilantly ensure that the refugee camps do not serve as tactical withdrawal or recruitment bases for armed groups and remain civilian bases.
Done in Banjul, May 20th, 2004
