Sanday Chongo Kabange, AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia
The UNHCR has put up a protest against Zambia's move to deport dozens of refugees from the DRC after they took part in a demonstration. Spokesperson Melissa Fleming, "A note verbally sent to Zambian authorities expressed alarm at the developments, which have affected some 36 individuals from the Meheba refugee settlement in the country's northwest."
The first six people that included a pregnant woman were forcibly returned to DRC in February.
The remaining 30 were sent back over April 3 and 4, some of whom were separated from their spouses and children in the process, said Fleming.
Zambian authorities had expelled the refugees after they demonstrated over the removal of a Zambian registration official who was found to be corrupt, said Fleming, adding that she had no further details.
"The refugees ... were given no explanation regarding the reasons for their deportation or the possibility of challenging the decision under Zambian law," she said.
The UNHCR noted that even though refugees are required to abide by the law of their host countries, they should not be expelled if they failed to do so.
Rather, they should be prosecuted under national laws, stressed Fleming.
"The UNHCR urges the government of Zambia to halt the expulsion of refugees and asylum-seekers and to uphold its refugee protection responsibilities under international law," she added.
Zambia is host to 57 000 refugees including those who had fled war and civil unrest in Angola, Rwanda, DRC and other countries.
The UNHCR has put up a protest against Zambia's move to deport dozens of refugees from the DRC after they took part in a demonstration. Spokesperson Melissa Fleming, "A note verbally sent to Zambian authorities expressed alarm at the developments, which have affected some 36 individuals from the Meheba refugee settlement in the country's northwest."
