LESOTHO WILL CONTINUE TO ACCEPT REFUGEES-THABANE

The Minister of Home Affairs and Public Safety, Mr. Tom Thabane says despite the limited resources that Lesotho has, it will continue to accept  refugees into the country to reflect its commitment as a state party to international and regional refugee treaties.

 Mr. Thabane said this when making remarks at an occasion of celebrating the 3^rd world Refugees Day, held at Maseru Sun Cabanas on Friday. He invited the Basotho people to celebrate the day bearing in mind that any one of then could be knocking at someone else’s door asking for help. He therefore urged the Basotho to continue sharing the little that they have with the refugees for the benefit of unity as they, as a nation were founded the principle of unity by King Moshoeshoe I.

 The Minister further stated that in Lesotho they believe that refugees and asylum seekers are not potential criminals, but are those persons who have fled from violence and persecutions and they deserve protection and assistance He condemned the activities of people who disregard and undermine the dimensions of why the refugees are existing in the country.

Speaking at the same occasion the Commissioner of refugees, Mr. T Sefali thanked all the Basotho who are making it possible for refugees to use their skills to develop the country and to improve their own livelyhood. On behalf of the refugee community in Lesotho, Mr. Dimani Mbunga expressed sincere gratitude to the government of Lesotho for making a lot of effort in fulfilling the United Nations obligations on issues related to refugees. He indicated that by so doing the government is in one way or another contributing to the credibility that the international world has towards Lesotho for its good governance and true democratic rule.

Present at the occasion were the refugee community, government officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Public Safety, representatives from the United Nations agencies, the Chief of Matsieng, Chief Masupha and members of the media.

23 June 2003