Refugees resulting from forced displacement, driven by international wars and civil wars, are often expelled from host countries, leading to concern. According to multiple sources including the BBC, around one hundred refugees fleeing from Burkina Faso to Ghana have been expelled recently. But this is not the only event of refugee expulsion from host countries. Many other host countries expelled forcefully displaced refugees in the past. Syrian refugees —who left Syria because of the devastating civil war—were expelled from Lebanon and several other countries. But the expulsion of forced refugees from host countries that highlights the challenges faced by refugees seeking safety and protection and the negligence to fleeing people from other countries is a concern.
It is notable that there are economic, geopolitical/political and other causes of the expulsion of refugees from host countries. Political instability and changes in government policies that result in a shift in attitudes towards refugees are crucial causes. Uganda expelled thousands of Rwandan refugees during the 1994 genocide due to concerns over their involvement in the conflict. Hungary passed a series of laws in 2015 to tighten its immigration policies, leading to the expulsion of refugees trying to enter the country. Additionally, economic strain and limited resources within the host country sometimes contribute to the expulsion of refugees. Among others, security threats and the violations of host country’s laws including involvement in criminal activities lead to the expulsion of refugees from host countries. Lebanon expelled Palestinian refugees in the past, citing security threats, along with political instability, as a reason.
There are global and regional efforts to prevent the expulsion of refugees from host countries. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been working tirelessly to advocate for the protection and rights of refugees and urging host countries to adopt more inclusive and compassionate policies. Additionally, regional agreements and frameworks including the Global Compact on Refugees — that foster cooperation among nations and facilitate sustainable solutions for displaced people — play crucial roles in discouraging refugee expulsion. But the efforts are less. There are inadequate legal frameworks and a lack of international cooperation in protecting refugees. Many host countries have limited and/or outdated laws regarding refugee protection, making it difficult to uphold their rights. Also, the concerns of host countries that lead to the expulsion are often not heeded.
It is desired that forcefully displaced refugees, who are the victims of international and civil wars, are not forcefully expelled from any host countries. For this, legal frameworks need to be made friendlier to conflict driven fleeing people. The repatriation mechanisms need to be made more effective. Emphasis also needs to be given to effective local and regional integration and resettlement mechanisms. But it is imperative to heed the economic and other concerns of host countries. International cooperation is crucial for those host countries which have limited resources. Also, the causes of the large scale forced displacement need to be addressed. The reduction of armed conflicts, international wars and civil wars, will drastically reduce forced displacement.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
