The Government of Lesotho remains fully committed to the 1951 United States Convention and other regional conventions on the protection of refugees and thus has an obligation and responsibility to protect them.

Acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs Limakatso Ntlhoki, officiating a four day workshop on international refugee law and protection in Maseru on June 13, said since the demise of apartheid which was the main cause of the refugee problem in this sub-region, Lesotho has experienced a significantly reduced refugee influx .

The country is determined not to succumb to the temptation of xenophobia or any other excuse as a pretext for denying asylum to those who deserve it. It is also determined to join hands with all stakeholders including the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to frustrate those who seek to abuse asylum to achieve criminal objectives.

The workshop aimed at developing the skills necessary in handling the asylum seekers and building a common understanding on issues related to refugee protection as enshrined in the 1951 Unites States Convention and other related international instruments, the acting Principal Secretary said.

14 June 2005