Significant Changes in Refugee Policies Regarding Integration and Enjoyment of Rights

 

The government of Ethiopia changed its refugee laws, granting refugees access to work, banking and financing services.  According to the All Africa news website “Even with its economic struggles, Ethiopia has recognised the positive impact that refugee integration could have on its communities and local economies.”

In January, the government of Uganda has unveiled a five year health sector response plan for refugees in the country, together with host communities, targeting at least eight millions people.

Updates From IDC Africa Members

  • Refugee Law Project (RLP) Uganda is celebrating their 20 year anniversary this year (#RLP@20). This month they launched their new “Training Manual” and “User Guide” on “Refugee Rights and Protection” which are available to download here. Launched after months of research and consultation, the guides can be used to facilitate quality capacity building programmes that improve refugee-and-host community relations, through enhanced protection, in Uganda and elsewhere.

 

  • Lawyers for Human Rights South Africa (LHR) staff member, Faith Munyati was a panelist at the event: “Does South Africa welcome African refugees?” held on 19 February to discuss the challenges and possible solutions to the ailments affecting the refugee and asylum regime in South Africa. More information here.

 

  • CoRMSA South Africa, in collaboration with Johannesburg Child Welfare, hosted a workshop on refugee, migrant and asylum seeker rights, providing children with an opportunity to have their voice heard in advocacy work.

 

  • Refugee Consortium Kenya (RCK) held a community dialogue forum with Kenyans and refugees in Kitengela to discuss elimination of violence against women and girls.