Recently it occurred to me the world has neglected one important fact in attempting to ensure peace, security and other millennium goals for all. As we labour to make sure everyone is happy in their countries, we forget there will ALWAYS be people displaced from their own countries.
Now the process of integration to other countries for the displaced is usually quite painful. First they got to cross the border successfully to wherever. Then they got to seek asylum status and so on. And even after all that, they are still refugees.
It is equally painful for the countries hosting the refugees. Adding all those numbers onto the country’s already bulging population; dealing with separating genuine from opportunistic asylum seekers; security threat posed by trouble makers who pose as asylum seekers; and of course, stretching the country’s national resources.
Take the Kenyan example where the country has had to take it so many refugees from Sudan and Somalia among others. The Sudanese had since gone back after recently acquiring independence, but the story is they are now streaming back after things started looking not so rosy back home (or for whatever reason). The Somalis are still with us and will be for a while. It is a known fact that most African refugees are hosted in Africa contrary to the much broadcasted hype that makes people in the West believe all African refugees are in the Western countries.
Kenya is so stretched by the influx of Somali and other refugees that we are heaving under the weight. When we complain and ask for a little help we are reminded of our obligation to human rights. But what about our rights to be relieved of, or assisted in this responsibility?
At a time when Kenya is at war against the Somali militants, you can imagine the security threat emanating from the refugee camps as members of the militia pose as genuine refugees and proceed to plot atrocities on our own soil. Ungratefulness of the highest degree if you ask me, that you would bite the hand that houses, feeds and takes care of your children for you.
So I wonder why the International powers that be have never thought of establishing cities, countries even, of refuge, where those displaced for whatever reason from their own countries can go and live without being harassed, subjected to endless scrutiny, and without being seen to be using up space and resources belonging to others.
In Bible days Israel was asked by God to set up cities of refuge where, if one unintentionally committed crime deserving death like manslaughter, they could run to these cities. If they made it safely there, no one was allowed to follow them in to avenge the crime. However if they ventured out of the city, it was out of God’s hand and that of the law to stop the avenger from striking them.
Now the way I see it we need to set aside specific areas in each continent where refugees can go and stay with the full rights of citizenship, where they can start a new life, work, go to school and lead a normal life without being patronized or threatened with repatriation, or deportation. Once at the point of entry they are certified as genuine refugees, then they adapt the country of refuge as their own, and may live a full life there till such a time as they feel comfortable to return home.
The countries of refuge would be run by an international staff, and supplied for by the international community until such a time as the countries have become self-sustaining through the economic activities of the settlers, and development projects from the international community. There would be no feeling of anyone doing too much as all members of the international community would contribute.
No one, not even the refugee citizens, would ever be allowed to lay claim to these countries of refuge, and there would be no political activity. Just workers, and dwellers, and systems to make sure everyone, everything is taken care of. These areas would remain open for anyone needing refuge from their country.
Granted, land has always been a thorny issue so no country would, should be expected to cede land for this purpose. Instead, the International community (lead the bodies that govern the world like the UN organizations), would make a handsome offer to buy land from any country ready to participate in the creation of countries of refuge. The compensation would have to be equal to the value of the land and all it contains, plus whatever opportunity cost goes with the sale. We don’t have to talk specifics but you get the picture.
So with the creation of countries of refuge, ran independently by international bodies representing all countries of the world, there would be less tension over the refugee issue, and dignity for the refugees.
We need countries of refuge, as international peace has proved to be an illusion. We are humans and so we will always conflict. Conflict comes in cycles, so those who seem forever peaceful today may not always be so.
We need countries of refuge.
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