UN urged to do more for African refugees

A UN of the 21st Century could strive more to help countries in Africa that face economic and social disruptions in hosting large numbers of refugees, participants in a panel discussion at the African Regional Hearing on the Millennium Assembly have said. Most refugees are being forced from their countries by internal and inter-state conflicts. Along with this is the growing phenomenon of xenophobia and the emergence of stringent asylum laws on the continent were proof that the legendary African hospitality had been stretched to the limit, participants said, according to the UN Economic Commission for Africa. Participants in the panel, debating an approach to humanitarian and human rights issues within a global context, noted that the UN’s response to the refugee crisis in Kosovo had far outweighed its work in helping Africa’s refugees. Inadequate political will, the participants said, meant that international standards were not employed in establishing refugees camps in Africa and the UN failed to give the required attention to human rights violations in camps. Instances cited included cases where refugee camps were attacked by the military, and where they served as recruitment posts for militias.