AU aims to protect refugees

2009-10-21 17:04

Kampala - The African Union's executive council has adopted a draft convention to protect and help refugees and displaced people, which will be put to AU heads of state and government on Thursday.

In a statement received by AFP on Wednesday, the AU said that its council of foreign ministers had adopted "the draft of the Kampala Declaration" after two days of talks, as well as plans to help refugees.

To be passed by the heads of state, the Kampala Declaration protecting refugees and displaced people needs to be ratified by at least 15 of the 53 AU members to take effect.

The ministers included a number of recommendations made by expert advisors, including the prevention of forced displacement of refugees and measures to protect victims of such displacements effectively.

The Kampala Declaration takes account of population displacement caused by natural catastrophes and by climate change, as well as refugees from war and other forms of violence.

Nineteen heads of state and government are due to arrive in Kampala from Thursday morning to take part in a special summit of the AU devoted to "the challenge of forced displacement in Africa."

- SAPA