ULAA Issues Statement On Liberian Refugees Crisis In Ghana

Bryan’s Road, Maryland (March 27, 2008):-The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas, ULAA, remains profoundly concerned  about the plight of  Liberian refugees in Ghana and will remain engage with all stakeholders until this volatile situation is amicably  resolve consistent with  all international laws, including the UN  1951 Geneva Convention,  1967 amendment Protocol and Ghanaian  Laws.

 

ULAA acknowledges the persistence, magnanimity and commitment of the Ghanaian Government to the cause of restoring peace and democracy to our country. Additionally, ULAA appreciates the hospitality of the Ghanaian people shown during the years of our civil conflict. ULAA further hopes the current civil dialogue will continue to characterize on-going discussions to maintain the friendly ties between the two governments for the   mutual benefits of the people of Liberia and Ghana. 

 

The Union however finds the initial handling of the refugee crisis by the Ghanaian Government and the initial response by the Liberian government to be unacceptable and inconsistent with both international and Ghanaian laws. However, the Union is encouraged that both Governments have allowed reasons to prevail and recommitted themselves to seek a solution to the problem with total respect for the human dignity and civil liberties of the refugees consistent with international protection of the refugees appertaining to the Geneva Convention, the Cotonou Convention and Ghanaian laws.

 

ULAA, therefore, implores both local and international human rights organizations and the UNHCR to exercise their moral authority consistent with their commitment   and obligations to ensure that both the Ghanaian and Liberian governments avoid any further actions with the propensity to engender suffering and jeopardize the health and security of the refugees.

 

Although,  the Union characterizes as pleasant developments, the dialogue which occurred recently between  the representatives of the Liberian refugees, the governments of Liberia and Ghana, and the UNHCR, which culminated into the suspension of protest by the refugees, a reprieve to the  continued violation of the civil and international  rights  of the refugees, and an agreement to commence repatriation of the Liberian refugees beginning tentatively in  June, 2008, it also calls for a full investigation by the international community to answer questions about the mal-handling of our fellow compatriots.

 

As the UNHCR prepares to repatriate the refugees, beginning in June, based on the agreement reached between the relevant parties, the Union wishes to remind the parties, including the Liberian and Ghanaian governments and the UNHCR, to ensure that the refugees,  while they in Ghana and until  they are repatriated,  are provided at least the minimum of shelter, food, water and medical care as stipulated under the  Geneva Convention adopted July 28, 1951, and came into force April 22, 1954 following the deposit of the sixth instrument of the ratification of the 1967 Protocol and Resolution 2198 (XXI) adopted by the UN General Assembly.

 

Finally, the Union calls on the relevant parties to fully implement all protocols relative to the repatriation and resettlement of Liberian refugees and internally displaced Liberians to prevent a recurrence of the recent Liberian refugee crisis.

 

Issued by the National Secretariat

 

 

 

Isaac Saye Zawolo, Jr.

National General Secretary

 

Approved:

 

 

Emmanuel S. Wettee

President-ULAA

 

 

CC Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President, Republic of Liberia

      Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Liberia

      Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Ghana:

      Embassy of the Republic of Liberia, United States of America

       Embassy of the Republic of Ghana, United States of America

        Liberia’s Ambassador to the United Nations

        United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

        Ministry of Interior, Republic of Ghana

          The Advocates for Human Rights, Minnesota

          The Liberia Refugee Welfare Council, Republic of Ghana

           Legal Resource Center, Republic of Ghana

            Embassy of the Republic of Liberia, Republic of Ghana

             International Centre for Conflict & Human Rights Analysis, Ghana

              Media Institutions, Republic of Liberia

              Media Institutions, Republic of Ghana

              Media Institutions, United States of America