Response to Mustapha Mahmound Park massacre (2)

From the time the Sudanese refugees began their sit in I've been following with particular attention the situation and it's unfortunate that the sit in has ended up that way, which is normally what people had to expect as in most such situations the UNHCR always asks the police to intervene.

I am a DRC national who has been living in Zimbabwe as a refugee since November 2003. Back home I was a human right activist and despite my status, I am still involved in such activities denouncing the attitude of the UNHCR staff in addressing refugee problems. I've already paid the price, which is being kidnapped by the Zimbabwe intelligence agents.

On Friday the 30th of December 2005 when the incident of Mustapha Mahmound Park occurred every one condemned the attitude of the police, which is normal, but no one talked about the responsibility of the UNHCR staff and until now no one has pointed a finger at the UNHCR which is unfair.

If I am not mistaken, the same police were protecting the protesters from the 29th of September when they began their sit in and every one praised their attitude, but I was personally disappointed when people rushed into condemning the Egyptian government only, while they made it clear that it was the UNHCR that asked them to pass into action. Not expecting such chaos is being hypocritical and unrealistic, especially since from the beginning the refugees made it clear that they were there for life and death: "We will wait here, we will die here. We have no other place to go."

Action speaks louder than words so we say. While all the human rights organizations requested an inquiry and investigation, like the government, the UNHCR also rejected the call. How is it possible that the organization that has the mandate to protect the refugees can reject a call for investigation?

Who is to stand by the fundamental right to life of some 25 million African refugees, homeless and IDPs?

Even here in Zimbabwe , out of the four protests by refugees the country has so far experienced since an influx in 1998, two have resulted in chaos and that happened after the UNHCR requested the police to disperse the protesters.

I personally believe that it's high time that human right organization put pressure to the UNHCR too.