TOPIC: Displacement, Security and Protection TOPIC: Displacement, Security and Protection as Problems of Internally Displaced Person (IDPs).as Problems of Internally Displaced Person (IDPs).

Presented byPresented by

JAMES HARDINGJAMES HARDINGM.Sc. In Humanitarian & Refugee Studies – University of M.Sc. In Humanitarian & Refugee Studies – University of

Ibadan, Nigeria 2005/2006Ibadan, Nigeria 2005/2006

IntroductionIntroductionThere are about 25m. IDPs world-wide, Africa contributes about There are about 25m. IDPs world-wide, Africa contributes about 12m. To this global fig.12m. To this global fig.There is no international institution specifically mandated to address There is no international institution specifically mandated to address the issue of IDPs.the issue of IDPs. When people are involuntarily uprooted from their homes/displaced, When people are involuntarily uprooted from their homes/displaced, they face a lot of problems spanning from; Displacement, Security, they face a lot of problems spanning from; Displacement, Security, Protection, Sexual violence, detention etc.Protection, Sexual violence, detention etc.This presentation will focus on discussing displacement, security This presentation will focus on discussing displacement, security and Protection as some of the key problems that IDPs encounter and Protection as some of the key problems that IDPs encounter when they are displaced.when they are displaced.Two contrastive case studies of countries that have generated and Two contrastive case studies of countries that have generated and managed IDPs will be discussed and best practices will be outlined.managed IDPs will be discussed and best practices will be outlined.

AimAim of presentation of presentation

To present a definition and a global overview of To present a definition and a global overview of Internally Displaced Persons.Internally Displaced Persons.

To explain Displacement, Security and Protection as To explain Displacement, Security and Protection as problems faced by Internally Displaced Persons.problems faced by Internally Displaced Persons.

To present two contrastive case studies of countries To present two contrastive case studies of countries that have generated and managed IDPs that have generated and managed IDPs

Objectives Objectives of Presentationof Presentation

To explain Displacement, Security and Protection as To explain Displacement, Security and Protection as problems of IDPs problems of IDPs

DefinitionDefinition and a global overview of and a global overview of IDPsIDPs

A key attendant consequence of; natural and human-made A key attendant consequence of; natural and human-made disasters, armed conflict, human rights violation, is the issue of disasters, armed conflict, human rights violation, is the issue of displacement.displacement.The world has witnessed an era when people fleeing conflicts, The world has witnessed an era when people fleeing conflicts, disasters etc. do not cross international frontiers.disasters etc. do not cross international frontiers.Most of the people fleeing these catastrophes seek refuge within the Most of the people fleeing these catastrophes seek refuge within the boundaries of their countries. Such persons are referred to as boundaries of their countries. Such persons are referred to as Internally Displaced Persons.Internally Displaced Persons. (IDPs). (IDPs).In the absence of an Internationally accepted definition of IDPs, we In the absence of an Internationally accepted definition of IDPs, we shall use as a working definition the UN definition which states thus; shall use as a working definition the UN definition which states thus; “Persons“Persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflicts, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made conflicts, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized State border”disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized State border”

This definition is not a legal definition but rather just a descriptive one.This definition is not a legal definition but rather just a descriptive one.

There are 25m. IDPs in the world, when disaggregated Europe – 5m, There are 25m. IDPs in the world, when disaggregated Europe – 5m, Asia-5m, Latin America-2m and Africa-12m.Asia-5m, Latin America-2m and Africa-12m.

The magnitude of displacement in Africa remains enormous with the The magnitude of displacement in Africa remains enormous with the following countries being the worst affected; Sudan, DR Congo, following countries being the worst affected; Sudan, DR Congo, Uganda etc.Uganda etc.

Displacement, Security & ProtectionDisplacement, Security & Protection identified as problems of IDPSidentified as problems of IDPS

A tragic and long-lasting consequence of conflicts which affect A tragic and long-lasting consequence of conflicts which affect Africa, Asia, Europe and some parts of Latin America is Africa, Asia, Europe and some parts of Latin America is Coercive Coercive displacementdisplacement of people of people

Amongst the galaxy of problems faced by IDPs are the following; Amongst the galaxy of problems faced by IDPs are the following; DisplacementDisplacement, , SecuritySecurity and and ProtectionProtection

We shall now discuss each of these problems in detail. We shall now discuss each of these problems in detail.

DISPLACEMENTDISPLACEMENT

Displacement basically refers to the Displacement basically refers to the coercive & involuntarycoercive & involuntary movement of persons from their homes/places of residence.movement of persons from their homes/places of residence.Displacement often causes persons to be separated from; Their Displacement often causes persons to be separated from; Their community support networks, families, sources of security and community support networks, families, sources of security and survival.survival.Most times when people are displaced, they congregate in Most times when people are displaced, they congregate in camps, public buildings or in slums in urban areas.camps, public buildings or in slums in urban areas.When people are displaced they encounter a lot of problems When people are displaced they encounter a lot of problems throughout the various phases of displacement (throughout the various phases of displacement (Early Early emergencyemergency phase, phase, Care and maintenanceCare and maintenance phase, phase, Transitional Transitional reintegrationreintegration phase & phase & Long term developmentLong term development phase). The phase). The problems includes the following;problems includes the following;

1.1. Legal StatusLegal Status2.2. National SovereigntyNational Sovereignty3.3. Difficult Humanitarian accessDifficult Humanitarian access4.4. Prolonged vulnerability to dangerProlonged vulnerability to danger5.5. Difficult reintegration and ResettlementDifficult reintegration and Resettlement6.6. Long term development reversed.Long term development reversed.

Taking cognizance of the Taking cognizance of the problems of displacementproblems of displacement, the , the UN UN Guiding PrinciplesGuiding Principles makes the following provisions in Section makes the following provisions in Section II, Principles; 5,6,7,8, & 9 which states thus;II, Principles; 5,6,7,8, & 9 which states thus;

Authorities & Intl. actors to Authorities & Intl. actors to prevent all circumstancesprevent all circumstances that might that might lead to displacement.lead to displacement.

Every persons shall be protected against Every persons shall be protected against arbitrary displacementarbitrary displacement from his home or residence even when based on ethnic or religious from his home or residence even when based on ethnic or religious policies or development projects.policies or development projects.

In situations that require ultimate displacement, authorities shall In situations that require ultimate displacement, authorities shall take the necessary steps to take the necessary steps to minimize the adverse effectsminimize the adverse effects of of displacement.displacement.

If displacement is to occur rather than in emergencies, those to be If displacement is to occur rather than in emergencies, those to be displaced are to be displaced are to be duly informedduly informed..

Displacement shall not be carried out in a Displacement shall not be carried out in a manner that violates the manner that violates the human rightshuman rights of those to be displaced. of those to be displaced.

SECURITY & PROTECTIONSECURITY & PROTECTION

Within the context of this presentation, Within the context of this presentation, Security Security will be jointly will be jointly discussed with discussed with ProtectionProtection..

SecuritySecurity of IDPs entails; of IDPs entails; safeguardingsafeguarding, taking , taking safety measuressafety measures, , defensedefense, to ensure the safety of displaced persons from physical , to ensure the safety of displaced persons from physical attack. attack. (Physical security & Material Security)(Physical security & Material Security)

ProtectionProtection of IDPs encompasses; all activities aimed at obtaining of IDPs encompasses; all activities aimed at obtaining full respect for the Human rights of IDPs. full respect for the Human rights of IDPs. (Legal safety, personal safety (Legal safety, personal safety and freedom from fear and persecution) and freedom from fear and persecution)

IDPs are covered by the laws of their own country, the state is responsible for protecting and assisting them under Human rights laws, in situation of armed conflicts they are protected under the IHL.

Taking into consideration the numerous Taking into consideration the numerous SecuritySecurity and and ProtectionProtection problemsproblems faced by IDPs the faced by IDPs the UN Guiding Principles stipulatesUN Guiding Principles stipulates in Section in Section III, principles; 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, & 23III, principles; 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, & 23

All IDPs have inherent All IDPs have inherent right to liferight to life and shall be protected against; and shall be protected against; murder, Genocide, Summary execution, enforced disappearance murder, Genocide, Summary execution, enforced disappearance etc.etc.Shall be protected from Shall be protected from indiscriminate attacksindiscriminate attacks, starvation or being , starvation or being used as human shield.used as human shield.Have right to Have right to dignity, Physical and moral integritydignity, Physical and moral integrity. Protected . Protected against rape, mutilation, torture, forced prostitution etc.against rape, mutilation, torture, forced prostitution etc.Not be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention o taken hostage.Not be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention o taken hostage.Displaced Displaced childrenchildren not to be not to be recruitedrecruited in the armed forces. in the armed forces.IDPs have IDPs have liberty to move freelyliberty to move freely in and out of their camps or in and out of their camps or settlements.settlements.IDPs have the liberty to seek IDPs have the liberty to seek refuge in any part of the countryrefuge in any part of the country and to also leave and seek asylum in another country.and to also leave and seek asylum in another country.IDPs have the right to IDPs have the right to know the fateknow the fate or whereabouts of their or whereabouts of their missing onesmissing ones..

Authorities concerned shall collect and identify the mortal remains of Authorities concerned shall collect and identify the mortal remains of those deceased, and facilitate the return of corpses to next of kin those deceased, and facilitate the return of corpses to next of kin who will dispose of them respectfully.who will dispose of them respectfully.Grave sites of IDPs should be respected. And access given to Grave sites of IDPs should be respected. And access given to IDPs to visit the grave sites of their deceased relatives.IDPs to visit the grave sites of their deceased relatives.Respect should be given to family, separated families are to be Respect should be given to family, separated families are to be reunited as soon as possible.reunited as soon as possible.

IDPs have right to adequate standard of living, at the minimum IDPs have right to adequate standard of living, at the minimum

IDPs are to be provided with and have access to IDPs are to be provided with and have access to ; ; Food and Food and portable water, Shelter and housing, clothing medical services and portable water, Shelter and housing, clothing medical services and

Sanitation.Sanitation. Wounded and sick IDPs shall have access to medical care.Wounded and sick IDPs shall have access to medical care.IDPs have right to be issued with the necessary documentation IDPs have right to be issued with the necessary documentation such as Birth certificates, Passports, Marriage certificates etc.such as Birth certificates, Passports, Marriage certificates etc.Property of IDPs shall be protected against illigal possession and Property of IDPs shall be protected against illigal possession and pillage.pillage.

Case studies of countries that have generated Case studies of countries that have generated and managed IDPsand managed IDPs

Background of displacement in Zimbabwe.Background of displacement in Zimbabwe.Zimbabwe gained Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980independence in 1980 and has since then been and has since then been governed by the Mugabe led ZANU-PF party.governed by the Mugabe led ZANU-PF party.The government was faced with the problem of addressing the The government was faced with the problem of addressing the problem of problem of Land OwnershipLand Ownership. . (15.5 Million hecters of land was owned by White commercial farmers.)(15.5 Million hecters of land was owned by White commercial farmers.)

The government embarked on a rigorous The government embarked on a rigorous land reform Programmeland reform Programme aimed at redistribution of arable land.aimed at redistribution of arable land.The land reform Programme was politicized, the government tagged The land reform Programme was politicized, the government tagged land owners as supporters of the opposition MDC party, so most of land owners as supporters of the opposition MDC party, so most of the land was the land was listed for compulsory acquisitionlisted for compulsory acquisition..By 2003, thousands of Commercial farmers and their workers were By 2003, thousands of Commercial farmers and their workers were brutally coerced to leave their landsbrutally coerced to leave their lands and seek refuge in makeshift and seek refuge in makeshift camps or travel to urban areas. About 150,000 people were evicted.camps or travel to urban areas. About 150,000 people were evicted.

ZimbabweZimbabwe

Background to displacement in Zimbabwe continued….Background to displacement in Zimbabwe continued….

Zimbabwe saw an increase in the population of the Urban areas. Zimbabwe saw an increase in the population of the Urban areas. Dwellers were forced to build makeshift shelters in Urban areas.Dwellers were forced to build makeshift shelters in Urban areas.The government initiated The government initiated Operation MurambatsvinaOperation Murambatsvina, a campaign , a campaign of forcible eviction and demolition of shelters.of forcible eviction and demolition of shelters.This operation exersibated the humanitarian situation and the UN This operation exersibated the humanitarian situation and the UN estimated that some estimated that some 700,000 people were displaced700,000 people were displaced, and that the , and that the operation was carried out in an indiscriminate and unjustified operation was carried out in an indiscriminate and unjustified manner.manner.

Management of the displacement, Security and Management of the displacement, Security and Protection of the IDPs in ZimbabweProtection of the IDPs in Zimbabwe..

Below are examples of the Security, Protection and Displacement Below are examples of the Security, Protection and Displacement related problems that plagued the IDPs in Zimbabwe;related problems that plagued the IDPs in Zimbabwe;White commercial farmers and their workers, brutally evicted from White commercial farmers and their workers, brutally evicted from their farms / habitual places of residence (150,000 people affected)their farms / habitual places of residence (150,000 people affected)

Management of displacement, security and Protection problems of IDPs in Zimbabwe Management of displacement, security and Protection problems of IDPs in Zimbabwe continued……continued……

The eviction of the commercial farmers was conducted in a The eviction of the commercial farmers was conducted in a brutal brutal and dehumanizing mannerand dehumanizing manner, most of the victims were arrested and , most of the victims were arrested and detained. These human rights violations were state sponsored.detained. These human rights violations were state sponsored.Most of the farmers were not Most of the farmers were not informed in advanceinformed in advance of their eviction. of their eviction.Operations Murambatsvina ushered in the destruction of shelter and Operations Murambatsvina ushered in the destruction of shelter and the pillage of properties of IDPs who were doubly displaced but this the pillage of properties of IDPs who were doubly displaced but this time around from Urban areas.time around from Urban areas.During Murambatsvina, about During Murambatsvina, about 20,000 vendors were arrested20,000 vendors were arrested and and detained.detained.The government deliberately The government deliberately blocked the delivery of blocked the delivery of humanitarian assistancehumanitarian assistance to IDPs. Aid agencies were prevented to IDPs. Aid agencies were prevented from providing tents for those who required shelter assistance.from providing tents for those who required shelter assistance.Aid agencies were blocked from feeding vulnerables at a transit Aid agencies were blocked from feeding vulnerables at a transit camp for IDPscamp for IDPs

In June 2005, the government launched In June 2005, the government launched Operations GarikaiOperations Garikai (meaning reconstruction and resettlement.) to address the (meaning reconstruction and resettlement.) to address the displacement problem in the country.displacement problem in the country.The number of housing units constructed under this scheme was The number of housing units constructed under this scheme was far below the number needed to match the number of IDPs far below the number needed to match the number of IDPs displaced.displaced.The precondition attached to the Garikai housing scheme rendered The precondition attached to the Garikai housing scheme rendered most IDPs ineligible to benefit from the scheme.most IDPs ineligible to benefit from the scheme.

Lessons learnt from the Zimbabwe case.Lessons learnt from the Zimbabwe case.Zimbabwe is illustrative of an instance were the problems facing Zimbabwe is illustrative of an instance were the problems facing IDPs (Displacement Security and Protection) were evident but IDPs (Displacement Security and Protection) were evident but poorly managed by the state.poorly managed by the state.The displacement was induced by the state but it failed to provide The displacement was induced by the state but it failed to provide the IDPs the requisite protection as stipulated in the guiding the IDPs the requisite protection as stipulated in the guiding principles.principles.The state failed to take the necessary steps that would have The state failed to take the necessary steps that would have precluded the displacement.precluded the displacement.

Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneBackground to displacement in Sierra LeoneBackground to displacement in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa, It is bounded in the north Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa, It is bounded in the north by Guinea and the South by Liberia.by Guinea and the South by Liberia.The country went through a rebel war that started in The country went through a rebel war that started in 1991.1991.The RUF ignited in Sierra Leone one of the nastiest wars the world The RUF ignited in Sierra Leone one of the nastiest wars the world has witnessed in the last five decades.has witnessed in the last five decades.The conflict caused amongst other things the displacement of well The conflict caused amongst other things the displacement of well over over 1 million people1 million people. These IDPs inhabited camps in Freetown, . These IDPs inhabited camps in Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Segbwema, Daru and Port Loko.Bo, Kenema, Segbwema, Daru and Port Loko.

Management of the Displacement, Security and Protection Management of the Displacement, Security and Protection problems of IDPs in Sierra Leone.problems of IDPs in Sierra Leone.The IDPs in Sierra Leone suffered the following Displacement, The IDPs in Sierra Leone suffered the following Displacement, Security and Protection related problems;Security and Protection related problems;– IDPs were displaced from their homes and they sought refuge in IDPs were displaced from their homes and they sought refuge in

displaced camps in Urban and safe areas.displaced camps in Urban and safe areas.– Due to the government’s incapacity to stop the advancement of the Due to the government’s incapacity to stop the advancement of the

rebels, some of the displaced camps were attacked and some IDPs rebels, some of the displaced camps were attacked and some IDPs were abducted and others killed.were abducted and others killed.

The government requested both the UN Agencies, and NGOs to The government requested both the UN Agencies, and NGOs to assist in the provision of Protection to the thousands of IDPs.assist in the provision of Protection to the thousands of IDPs.IDPs that were camp based received assistance (Basic Food, IDPs that were camp based received assistance (Basic Food, Water, Shelter, Health care) from various NGOs and UN Agencies Water, Shelter, Health care) from various NGOs and UN Agencies according to International minimum standards and the UN Guiding according to International minimum standards and the UN Guiding Principles.Principles.– The ICRC was key in tracing and family reunificationThe ICRC was key in tracing and family reunification– UNOCHA was in charge of the registration of all IDPs that reported at UNOCHA was in charge of the registration of all IDPs that reported at

designated IDP camps.designated IDP camps.– WFP was the lead food pipeline agency.WFP was the lead food pipeline agency.– MSF was instrumental in WATSAN and Health care.MSF was instrumental in WATSAN and Health care.– A gamut of local NGOs also provided varied assistance to the IDPs in A gamut of local NGOs also provided varied assistance to the IDPs in

camps and in Host communities.camps and in Host communities.– The government ensured that all the IDP camps were secured by The government ensured that all the IDP camps were secured by

Police officers.Police officers.

After the declaration of the end of the war, the government After the declaration of the end of the war, the government established the NCRRR which championed the resettlement established the NCRRR which championed the resettlement exercise.exercise.The NCRRR coordinated the repatriation and resettlement of IDPs The NCRRR coordinated the repatriation and resettlement of IDPs in areas that were declared safe for return.in areas that were declared safe for return.

A substantial number of A substantial number of IDPs repatriated spontaneouslyIDPs repatriated spontaneously without without waiting for assistance or resettlement package from the government waiting for assistance or resettlement package from the government or NGOs once their areas were declared safe.or NGOs once their areas were declared safe.The The bulk of the IDPsbulk of the IDPs were repatriated within the framework of the were repatriated within the framework of the government’s government’s resettlement strategyresettlement strategy..Before 2003, all the Before 2003, all the IDP camps were closedIDP camps were closed country-wide, and country-wide, and those IDPs who opted to stay in the capital and other urban areas those IDPs who opted to stay in the capital and other urban areas were provided with land for the construction of their own residences.were provided with land for the construction of their own residences.

Lessons learnt from the Sierra Leone Case.Lessons learnt from the Sierra Leone Case.Though the govt. lacked the capacity to prevent the displacement of Though the govt. lacked the capacity to prevent the displacement of its citizens, It ensured that the its citizens, It ensured that the IDPs were providedIDPs were provided with the with the required protectionrequired protection once they register at any designated displaed once they register at any designated displaed camp or host community.camp or host community.The UN Agencies and NGOs were very instrumental in ensuring The UN Agencies and NGOs were very instrumental in ensuring that the that the IDPs were provided with protectionIDPs were provided with protection in line with in line with international minimum standards and the UN guiding Principles.international minimum standards and the UN guiding Principles.The govt. in league with the UN Agencies and NGOs ensured that The govt. in league with the UN Agencies and NGOs ensured that the the IDPs were repatriated in safety and dignityIDPs were repatriated in safety and dignity in their places of in their places of origin or choice.origin or choice.

ConclusionConclusionWe have discussed the reality that the We have discussed the reality that the magnitude of internal magnitude of internal displacement in Africadisplacement in Africa remains enormous and scaring. remains enormous and scaring.The The causes of internal displacement in Africacauses of internal displacement in Africa range from Natural range from Natural and Human-made disasters, armed conflicts and repressive and Human-made disasters, armed conflicts and repressive governance.governance.Generally displaced persons Generally displaced persons face a lot of problemsface a lot of problems once they are once they are coercively uprooted from their homes.coercively uprooted from their homes.We exhaustively discussed the problems of We exhaustively discussed the problems of Displacement, Security Displacement, Security and Protection as key problemsand Protection as key problems that IDPs encounter. that IDPs encounter.We discovered from the two contrastive case studies that We discovered from the two contrastive case studies that Zimbabwe Zimbabwe represented a case were the IDP problems were represented a case were the IDP problems were poorly managedpoorly managed and and Sierra LeoneSierra Leone represented a case of represented a case of Best practiceBest practice in the management in the management of IDP problems.of IDP problems.I wish to conclude that since the responsibility of providing protection to I wish to conclude that since the responsibility of providing protection to IDPs rests on the affected states, All governments are to ensure that IDPs rests on the affected states, All governments are to ensure that they they use the UN guiding principlesuse the UN guiding principles as the framework for the as the framework for the provision of protection to IDPs.provision of protection to IDPs.

Thanks for your attentionThanks for your attention