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UN refugee agency is alarmed by treatment of uprooted Somalis
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is a alarmed by the deterioration in the treatment of uprooted Somali civilians both inside Somalia and in neighbouring countries. This follows recent terrorist attacks claimed by Somali insurgents. Yvette Morris reports from Geneva.
Somali refugees
UNHCR reports growing incidence of xenophobia, round-ups and deportations of displaced Somalis.
Spokeswoman, Melissa Fleming told journalists in Geneva Friday the refugee agency was concerned about the effect of the increasingly negative perception of uprooted Somalis on the wider refugee protection environment in the region.
"We are receiving frequent reports of verbal and physical harassment in communities as well as arrests, arbitrary detention, extortion and even pushbacks of Somali refugees."
UNHCR is calling on authorties in Somalia's Puntland region to stop pushing people back to conflict stricken central Somalia. 900 internal displaced were sent back earlier this week.
"Today, we are calling on the Puntland authorities to halt these pushbacks. It is our view that people fleeing southern and central Somalia are in need of international protection and that involuntary return to that part of the country place people's lives at grave risk."
Ms. Fleming said Somalis were also being rounded-up in Kenya, but were released once their refugee status was established.
Yvette Morris, UN Radio, Geneva.
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