Ethiopia / African Union to adress
refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons matters in Africa
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 5, 2008/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union Commission (AUC) will host at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 5 to 11 November 2008 an Experts Meeting and Ministerial Conference to address refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons matters in Africa. The meeting which will be held under the theme “African Union Addressing the Challenge of Forced Displacement in Africa” will constitute a preparatory step towards the Special Summit of Heads of State and Government on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa. The Special Summit will be hosted by the Republic of Uganda in April 2009.
Initiated by the Department of Political Affairs of the AUC in collaboration with its main partners, the meeting will run from 5 to 7 November 2008 with an Experts Meeting focused particularly on prevention of forced displacement and protection of victims of forced displacement. Africa is host to the majority of the refugees in the world, with a staggering two out of three refugees coming from the Continent. The Experts’ session will also consider the specific needs of displaced women and children as well as those of displaced victims of natural disasters. With regard to communities emerging from conflicts and natural disasters, the meeting will address how to promote their sustainable reintegration.
One of the most expected outcomes of the Experts’ session is the consideration of the Draft AU Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa. This first ever such Convention in the world will constitute a legal framework structuring internally displaced persons matters and will regulate the relationships with the humanitarian sector. African Union Ministers in-charge of refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons matters will consider the experts’ recommendations from November 10th to 11th 2008.
Journalists are invited to cover the opening ceremony of the Experts’ Meeting, which will take place in the Plenary Hall of the AU Commission.
The Experts’ draft Programme of Work is attached. For further information, please refer to the AU web site at the following address: www.africa-union.org
SOURCE : African Union Commission (AUC)
