UNHCR rejects criticism

2008-09-19 13:47

Cape Town - Some civil society groups have had a "negative impact" on efforts to solve the refugee crisis, the Southern African office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said on Friday.

It was reacting to an announcement by the Aids Law Project that it and other organisations would ask the UN to set up a formal inquiry into the way the office had dealt with xenophobia victims.

The ALP said the office had stood by while the rights of people who sought its protection had been violated.

However, the office said in a statement that since the May 2008 attacks on foreigners, the UNHCR had played its role in conformity with its mandate and had worked closely with the government in addressing the problems of displaced people.

Among them had been refugees and asylum seekers, as well as others who did not fall under the agency's mandate.

Given the broad composition of the groups, a response had called for the involvement of other humanitarian agencies as well, with whom the UNHCR had worked closely.

Negative role

"UNHCR deplores the negative role played by some civil society groups, which have failed to make any constructive contribution to the search for solutions to this problem, but have rather systematically criticised those who are genuinely trying to tackle the problem at hand," the statement said.

"This has had a negative impact on the search for solutions for the displaced."

The office said it had engaged groups including the Treatment Action Campaign and the ALP, and clearly explained to them UNHCR's mandate and role in South Africa.

"Regrettably, these groups have failed to understand or accept the explanations."

- SAPA