The Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Motlalentoa Letsosa says the world recognised the courage and humanity of millions that are forced to flee their countries due to violence, persecution and war.
This, Mr. Letsosa said at the commemoration of World Refugee Day under the theme “together we heal, learn and shine” at the event held on Thursday at the Refugee Reception Center in Mohalitotoe, Maseru.
The Minister remarked that this is the moment to honor the generosity of the communities welcoming refugees, bravery and dedication of humanitarian workers who provide life-saving assistance often in challenging and dangerous conditions.
He said the world is witnessing a record of around 82 million refugees and displaced persons worldwide, saying Lesotho is not an exception as it has been experiencing an influx of asylum seekers and refugees in recent years.
He added that Lesotho continues to open arms and welcome the asylum seekers demonstrating its commitment to the international obligation.
He noted that as the country commemorates World Refugee Day, the country reiterates its commitment to reduce the suffering of the refugees through other local integration.
Mr. Letsosa said this year’s theme ‘together we heal, learn and shine’ is in line with swearing-in of some refugees who have been naturalised as Lesotho citizens, noting that this is how the country embarks on the process of healing, learning and shining.
He stressed that he was pleased to announce the critical initiatives undertaken by the government of Lesotho to protect the rights of asylum seekers and refugees through the amendment of the National Identity Card Act 2011 which is before the Parliament.
He stressed that the amendment Bill is intended to formalise the issuance of the National Identity cards to refugees while the regulations are still intended to implement the minimal fees for naturalised refugees.
Lesotho has since aligned with this year’s theme as refugees are not treated like any migrants because they are allowed to work, engage in income generating activities and their children attend schools.
Moreover, he said the country celebrates the contributions of refugees, adding that refugees’ doctors have played a vital role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as some work in the remote parts of the country.
“To us, refuges have never been viewed as a burden but rather as a brain gain,” Mr. Letsosa commented.
He therefore appealed to other ministries to allow refugees to work in their departments as some of them have skills that can be used to develop the country.
He noted that the past year has been a challenging one for refugees and asylum seekers in the country due to COVID-19, singling out loss of lives due to retrenchments and lockdown.
In conclusion, the Minister thanked the development partners mainly United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) for continued support to the refugees in Lesotho.
On the same note, the Lesotho Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Mohlolo Lerotholi said each year, Lesotho Commemorates World Refugee Day like other countries but this year’s commemoration is historic as four refugees have been granted naturalization.
He said these refugees have taken an oath and they have been legally sworn as national citizens.
On behalf of the refugees who were granted citizenship, Dr Nwako Azubuike thanked the government of Lesotho for its warm hospitality since their arrival in the country, saying it has been more than 40 years since he arrived in the country and Basotho have been so good to them.
Dr Azubuike promised that they will help Lesotho to develop like other African countries whose economies have not collapsed in every sector they work in.
He said is pleased that today they have been granted citizenship and he is proud to be a citizen of a peaceful nation.
Every year World Refugee Day is commemorated on 20 June. It was in December 2000 when the United Nations General Assembly declared that June 20 would be celebrated as Refugee Day.
By the Staff Reporter: Noliwe Velaphe