The Assistant Minister of Home Affairs and Public Safety, says human rights abuses that are taking place in some countries, especially in Africa are disturbing and beyond tolerance.

Ms. Lineo Molise was speaking at the 58th Session of the Executive Committee (EXCOM) of the United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees Programme in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday.

She said, "Lesotho aligns itself with the strict observation of the principle on non-refoulment", and reiterated therefore that the principle is a sacro-sanct provision of the Convention, and has to be guarded by all member states.

She said the ongoing crisis in Darfur is one example that requires concerted international effort to address it, adding that the programme remains the pre-occupation of the government of Lesotho and has to be brought to a halt.

The Assistant Minister added that UNHCR continues to work with its partners, including Lesotho in addressing the needs of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Ms Molise observed with concern on the complex and risky challenge in addressing the needs of the displaced persons, which she said cannot be ignored and hope that the problem addressed.

The Assistant Minister further said Lesotho is aware of the complex issue of asylum-migration and urge member states not to regard the UNHCR as the migration agency.

She commended the High Commissioner of the UNHCR for his commitment, dedication and tireless efforts for the betterment of the lives of refugees world-wide and particularly in Africa.

'We are concerned that after the collective EXCOM jubilation in the past two years about the significant reduction of the people of concern to UNHCR, the trend has been drastically reversed,' she noted.

The Assistant minister, however, indicated that the UNHCR efforts and international commitment and support have to be augmented and refugee problem cannot be safely predicted.

According to reports, there are more than 10 million refugees under the care of UNHCR. The session started on Monday and ends on Friday.

Source: LENA 02/10/2007