Forced Refugees’ Return: UN warns Cameroon

RefugeesThe UN has warned against the decision of the Cameroonian government embarking on a full-scale forced return of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon in spite of current three-party accord to ensure voluntary returns of refugees.The Nigerian refugees are in the number of millions dispersed by Boko Haram terrorists in north-eastern part of Nigeria. A large number of the displaced persons are within Nigeria while Cameroon and Niger are harbouring the remaining of the lot.No fewer than 100,000 people have been killed since 2009 when the uprising started.The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday has stated that more than 2,600 refugees have been forcefully returned to Nigerian border villages “against their will”.UNHCR image maker, Babar Balogh, commented in the official statement that the organization was mainly worried “as these forced returns have continued unabated”.Mr. Balogh remarked on the three-party agreement signed by the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon with UNHCR in Yaoundé on March 2, 2017.He offered that the involuntary return of asylum-seekers and refugees was a “serious violation” of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1969 OAU Convention, which he said, Cameroon had ratified.Nevertheless, he thanked Cameroon for its kind gestures in hosting at least 85,000 Nigerian refugees while urging it to honour its commitments to the international and regional refugee protection instruments.Balogh said that refugees escaped from violent attacks by Boko Haram and warned that “their access to asylum and protection must be ensured”.“Insecurity persists in parts of north-eastern Nigeria and access to basic services remains limited.“Most returning refugees find themselves in situations of internal displacement upon return and are unable to return to their places of origin,” Balogh said.He made it known that UNHCR identifies the real national security apprehensions of the Cameroon Government.