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Refugees Terrorized, UNHCR Expresses Fears

The NEWS (Monrovia)
NEWS
February 18, 2003
Posted to the web February 18, 2003

By Moses M. Zangar, Jr.
Monrovia
The lives of more than 40,000 Liberian refugees residing in neighboring Cote d'
Ivoire are said to be in danger as anti-Liberian sentiments have reportedly
reached an "all-time" high in the country.
Ivorian government operatives have reportedly branded the Liberian refugees as
"enemies" on grounds that Liberian mercenaries are involved in the Ivorian
civil conflict.
The BBC quotes the spokesman of the United Nations' Refugees Agency (UNHCR) as
saying that since fighting broke out in Western Cote d' Ivoire, near the
Liberian border, the situation has become what he termed as "explosive."
Use my signaLiberians in Cote d' Ivoire had earlier suffered attacks from
Ivorian government forces when President Laurent Gbagbo blamed last September's
failed coup on mercenaries from English?speaking West African countries.
At that time, thousands of Liberians were rendered homeless as Ivorian security
forces backed by the local population, set fire on their homes.
According to the report, an already over?burdened refugee camp in the west of
Cote d' Ivoire, near the border with Liberia, is swelling with new arrivals as
rebels, often barefooted and drugged-look, kill and rape.
The report added that other refugees who fled to Abidjan are being huddled in
makeshift transit camps with little or no security. The UNHCR expressed fear
that Liberians could be massacred.
The UN Refugee Agency said young men (Liberians) are accused of being rebels
and flung into jail or are forcibly recruited not only by the rebels, but by
the government.
The UN agency emphasized that it is struggling to cope with the present
situation as other West African countries have refused to accept
Liberians.
The UN's appeals to President Gbagbo to help find a new safe haven or provide
better security for Liberian refugees have so far not produce any results.
The UNHCR has requested the international community to act now to avoid
massacres and genocide in Cote d 'Ivoire.
Besides, the United Nations' Humanitarian Envoy, Carolyn McAskie, who is
currently assessing the humanitarian situation in Cote d' Ivoire, said
Liberians are being targeted as "mercenaries" by both government forces and
Ivorian citizens.
She warned that until the International community exerts pressure on both sides
to stop the political unrest, and enforce the Paris' Peace Accord, the war
could continue for the longest, thereby rendering the lives of Liberians in
danger at the hands of Ivorian security personnel.
The anti-Liberian sentiments and the harassment of other nationals have also
caused xenophobia among other nationals who are reportedly fleeing Cote d'
Ivoire to neighboring countries.
Meanwhile the Liberian Government has announced that it is making arrangement
with the UNHCR to repatriate the more than 40,000 Liberian refugees who are
reportedly being victimized by Ivorian citizens and security personnel.

   

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