Immigration officials illegally detain Congolese refugee

By Own Correspondent

Harare-ZIMBABWEAN Immigration officials are alleged to be illegally detaining a Congolese national (name withheld),who was awarded refugee status.

He was arrested on the 11th of September 2023.

The arrest and dention is complete violation of UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) policies and guidelines related to refugees, including the ones stated hereunder:

1. *Protection Policy*: Ensuring the safety and dignity of refugees, including protection from violence, exploitation, and discrimination.
2. *Asylum Policy*: Ensuring access to fair and efficient asylum procedures, and providing guidance on refugee status determination.
3. *Resettlement Policy*: Providing a durable solution for refugees by relocating them to a third country.
4. *Voluntary Repatriation Policy*: Assisting refugees to return to their country of origin when it is safe to do so.
5. *Local Integration Policy*: Supporting refugees to integrate into their host country.
6. *Refugee Status Determination (RSD) Policy*: Ensuring a fair and efficient process for determining refugee status.
7. *Child Protection Policy*: Ensuring the protection and well-being of refugee children.
8. *Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Policy*: Preventing and responding to SGBV against refugees.
9. *HIV and AIDS Policy*: Providing access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care for refugees.
10. *Disability Inclusion Policy*: Ensuring equal access and opportunities for refugees with disabilities.

These policies aim to ensure the protection, safety, and dignity of refugees worldwide, and are implemented in collaboration with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders. Analysts lamented that this illegal detention could paint negative picture on Zimbabwe as far as refugee security is concerned. They also called for his immediate release.

Immigration officials were not available at the time of writing.