NCJ Number
178606
Date Published
1997
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This report documents the widespread disregard for human rights that has caused the forcible displacement of people in Africa, examines the international response to the African refugee problem, and offers recommendations for preventing additional refugees and for ensuring that the human rights of refugees are protected.
Abstract
One-third of the world's refugees and more than half the internally displaced are in Africa. An unknown number of African refugees have been forced to leave their countries because of individual persecution, often because of their political activities. Their needs for proper individual asylum procedures are not given sufficient attention. The international system to protect refugees is in crisis. Donor governments are increasingly reluctant to give adequate support to large refugee populations. Host governments in Africa are increasingly unwilling or unable to bear the brunt of problems caused by their neighbors. Internally displaced people face continuing human rights abuses. There is no international organization with a specific mandate to secure the protection of the internally displaced, and international interest has focused on relief, not protection. This report shows that crises of forcible displacement cannot be resolved unless the underlying human rights issues are addressed. Amnesty International therefore calls on all governments to take concrete measures to prevent human rights violations and to live up to their obligations under international law to protect the fundamental human rights of their citizens. It also urges all armed opposition groups to abide by the principles of international humanitarian law. 28 notes