The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has appealed to refugees to, as a matter of necessity, always operate within the confines of the laws of their host countries, as enshrine in the International Refugee Convention.
In a statement issued to mark Wold Refugee Day, which falls on Friday, the Commission said it bemoaned "the unfortunate disturbances" which occurred at the Buduburam Camp which resulted in some Liberian refugees being kept at the Kordiaabe Youth Camp in the Eastern Region.
The standoff between the government and refugees led to the extradition of a number refugees and the agreement between Ghana and Liberia for the repatriation of all Liberian refugees.
CHRAJ admonished Ghanaians against xenophobia, saying, "Ghanaians must see refugees as people who need their help. They should create an enabling environment for a smooth integration of refugees into the Ghanaian society."
It reminded the public that Article 2 of the OAU Refugee Convention recognized the granting of asylum as a mechanism to protect refugees, in particular.
"It notes that states shall use their best endeavours consistent with their respective legislations to receive refugees and to secure the settlement of those refugees, who for well-founded reasons, are unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin of nationality."
CHRAJ commended the government and people of Ghana for their continued support for refugees, noting that Ghana had over the years traditionally played host to a large number of refugees from Africa.
"This speaks volumes of the country's readiness to help citizens from neighbouring countries in times of crisis.... The UN Refugee convention and OAU Refugee Convention to which Ghana is a party, impose certain obligations on host nations to protect the rights of refugees and asylum seekers and uphold certain social and economic rights for refugees," it said.
Source: GNA
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