Refugees and migrants favoured in Mozambique’s policies – Nyusi in New York

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Refugees and migrants favoured in Mozambique’s policies – Nyusi in New York

2:40 CAT | 21 Sep 2016

Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi addresses the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants, in the Trusteeship Council Chamber of the United Nations, Monday, Sept. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) United Nations Refugee Summit

Notícias / President Filipe Nyusi

President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi said yesterday in New York that Mozambique has adopted favourable policies for refugees and migrants, including integration and the opening up of opportunities.

President Nyusi was speaking at a high-level meeting on refugees and migrants in New York, where the debate of the UN General Assembly begins today. The president said that Mozambique welcomes refugees from mainly African countries as a result of its geographical location, political stability, availability of land and economic opportunities.

But the head of state also noted that thousands of Mozambicans in Tete province were forced to flee their homes for Malawi because of the attacks of armed Renamo men. He said that many had returned, although 1,500 citizens remained in the neighboring country.

According to the president, Mozambique hosts about 23,000 asylum seekers and refugees.
He recognized the negative impact of refugees such as increased crime and employment disputes, but said he considered migrants important for economic, social and cultural life.

Nyusi was speaking just before the adoption of the “New York Declaration” on refugees, committing world leaders to make every effort to deal with the current wave of refugees and respond in the future. The UN declaration suggests the holding of an international conference on refugees and migrants and the adoption of a global compact to protect and regulate migration by 2018.

The declaration suggests it is possible to ensure the protection of refugees’ and migrants’ human rights, regardless of their status; to ensure that refugee children have access to education; curb sexual abuse and violence against women and girls and support all countries that receive refugees and migrants.

Speaking after the adoption of the declaration, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that a collective effort to address the challenges of human mobility was essential. “The adoption of the declaration means that more children can go to school and that refugees and immigrants can have access to employment in host countries,” he said.

Yesterday, President Nyusi spoke at a roundtable on the theme “Our Planet: Protecting the Environment Through the Management of Natural Resources and Taking Urgent Action on Climate Change”.

The precise contents of his speech were not known at the time of going to press, but it is believed to have been focused on his vision on the conservation of mineral resources, part of what the president himself describes as his government’s “strong environmental diplomacy front”.

In recognition of his efforts, President Nyusi was honoured by the International Foundation for the Conservation of the Environment in Houston last week.

Source: Noticias