UN deplores Cameroons forced return of Nigerian refugees
News & Trends •
nan5 the office of the un high commissioner for refugees unhcr has deplored cameroons forced return of nigerian refugees to the boko haram violence areas2 they are also a significant setback to progress previously achieved by cameroon in granting asylum to nigerian civilians fleeing boko haram violence2 despite such counselling nigerian refugees and asylum-seekers who fled boko haram violence continue to be returned from cameroon unhcr said2 it said the action underscored the need to accord international protection to those in need2 we appeal once again to the authorities in cameroon to refrain from further forced returns and to ensure protection to those fleeing insecurity and persecution in nigeria2 this is in accordance with cameroons national and international obligations unhcr said2 since the beginning of 2018 385 nigerians refugees and asylum-seekers had been forcibly returned from cameroon the majority of them in march including 160 on april 10 and a further 118 a week later2 in total the un agency has registered some 87600 nigerian refugees in the country2 properly functioning screening registration and asylum systems help safeguard host country security it said2 unhcr reiterated its support to the government of cameroon to ensure that all those seeking international protection have access to efficient screening and registration procedures as well as appropriate reception arrangements2 it had earlier appealed to the government of cameroon to respect human rights of all citizens for the sake of peace2 it said the forced returns are in violation of the principle of no forced returns or non-refoulement2 canhandula said the instability in anglophone cameroon had forced thousands of citizens to seek asylum in nigeria2 he said cameroonian government should explore alternative ways of engaging with those who feel aggrieved for the sake of peace and that both parties should respect human rights2 unhcr urges the government of cameroon to explore ways of engaging with those who feel aggrieved for the sake of peace2 we also reiterate the need for respect of human rights by all parties involved canhandula said2 he said the refugees complained of exclusion from the national life by the cameroonian government political processes and important positions in the government2 longstanding grievances against the central government in cameroon took a new turn in 2016 when a group of anglophone cameroonians triggered civil society-led demonstrations2 this was based on allegations of marginalisation by the authorities particularly in the education and justice system2 initially the protesters called for the return to a federal system of government and greater autonomy2 however on oct. 1 2017 the separatist movement ambazonia governing council declared unilaterally the independence of cameroons northwest and southwest regions2 tensions ensued with government security forces clashing with movement resulting in injuries and deaths and leading to an influx of english-speaking cameroonians into nigeria2 critics accused government forces of killing dozens of civilians while the administration is also alleging that suspected separatists have killed more than 10 security personnel since the crisis intensified in october2 the commissions representative in nigeria and ecowas mr antonio canhandula made the appeal while speaking with newsmen on monday in makurdi2

UN deplores Cameroons forced return of Nigerian refugees
News & Trends •
nan5 the office of the un high commissioner for refugees unhcr has deplored cameroons forced return of nigerian refugees to the boko haram violence areas2 they are also a significant setback to progress previously achieved by cameroon in granting asylum to nigerian civilians fleeing boko haram violence2 despite such counselling nigerian refugees and asylum-seekers who fled boko haram violence continue to be returned from cameroon unhcr said2 it said the action underscored the need to accord international protection to those in need2 we appeal once again to the authorities in cameroon to refrain from further forced returns and to ensure protection to those fleeing insecurity and persecution in nigeria2 this is in accordance with cameroons national and international obligations unhcr said2 since the beginning of 2018 385 nigerians refugees and asylum-seekers had been forcibly returned from cameroon the majority of them in march including 160 on april 10 and a further 118 a week later2 in total the un agency has registered some 87600 nigerian refugees in the country2 properly functioning screening registration and asylum systems help safeguard host country security it said2 unhcr reiterated its support to the government of cameroon to ensure that all those seeking international protection have access to efficient screening and registration procedures as well as appropriate reception arrangements2 it had earlier appealed to the government of cameroon to respect human rights of all citizens for the sake of peace2 it said the forced returns are in violation of the principle of no forced returns or non-refoulement2 canhandula said the instability in anglophone cameroon had forced thousands of citizens to seek asylum in nigeria2 he said cameroonian government should explore alternative ways of engaging with those who feel aggrieved for the sake of peace and that both parties should respect human rights2 unhcr urges the government of cameroon to explore ways of engaging with those who feel aggrieved for the sake of peace2 we also reiterate the need for respect of human rights by all parties involved canhandula said2 he said the refugees complained of exclusion from the national life by the cameroonian government political processes and important positions in the government2 longstanding grievances against the central government in cameroon took a new turn in 2016 when a group of anglophone cameroonians triggered civil society-led demonstrations2 this was based on allegations of marginalisation by the authorities particularly in the education and justice system2 initially the protesters called for the return to a federal system of government and greater autonomy2 however on oct. 1 2017 the separatist movement ambazonia governing council declared unilaterally the independence of cameroons northwest and southwest regions2 tensions ensued with government security forces clashing with movement resulting in injuries and deaths and leading to an influx of english-speaking cameroonians into nigeria2 critics accused government forces of killing dozens of civilians while the administration is also alleging that suspected separatists have killed more than 10 security personnel since the crisis intensified in october2 the commissions representative in nigeria and ecowas mr antonio canhandula made the appeal while speaking with newsmen on monday in makurdi2