Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Community of the Namibians in Great Britain (CNGB), which represents Namibians in the UK, has called on its members to stick together and look out for each other.
The non-governmental organisation’s United Kingdom (UK)-based spokesperson, Stallone Kasuto, was reacting to the recent reports on the possible deportation of Namibians from the UK, whose asylum applications were rejected.
Kasuto expressed worry about the mental health of those affected by the UK government’s move.
“Many of us are stuck in hotels and news and information like this circulating on social media can create a sense of panic and loneliness that can have huge mental issues for those involved, hence our urge to look out for each other and seek professional help if needed,” he said.
Kasuto said the reports have caused a lot of distress, insecurities, and a sense of panic among those living in the UK.
“People are unsure where to turn to for the right information, communication groups and channels are full of the same topics and it continues to create panic among Namibians of different statuses here,” he said.
According to Kasuto, the organisation is also limited in what it can do for its members, saying their efforts to engage the Namibian high commissioner has not provided clear guidance.
He urged all those reacting on the matter to differentiate between an asylum seeker and an economic migrant.
Kasuto says the CNBG believes labelling Namibian asylum seekers as economic migrants is not helping the affected group.
“People cannot speculate that all young Namibians who seek asylum in the UK do so because of economic difficulties as that is not true in all cases. The reasons and circumstances why these people have to seek asylum in the UK are private to them and I think we should respect that in our opinions and views on this matter,” he said.
Meanwhile, chief Welcome Kazondunge of the Tjimbundu chieftainship has expressed worry that there is a risk of harm to those who stand to be deported should they return to Namibia.
He is urging the British government to consider suspending the deportation exercise indefinitely and engage other institutes on a joint fact-finding mission with the United Nations to objectively obtain facts that would guide a sound policy directive.
“….call on the British government to refrain from those deportations that are engineered by the Namibian government. If the British government is party to those deportations, then it will be remembered as a party to the cynical policies of ‘ethnic cleansing’, as practised by the Namibian government against its non-Oshiwambo citizens,” he said
The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation’s executive director, Penda Naanda, said the ministry is in no position to discuss the issue of the Namibian asylum seekers who may be forcefully or voluntarily deported from the UK.
This is because the asylum applications are considered by the UK government and not the Namibian government.
“The UK asylum regime is purely within the jurisdiction of the UK government,” said Naanda.
He said the interministerial meeting held last week was called to discuss the concerns raised by the UK government and how Namibia should engage the UK government on their request for assistance.
Naanda assured those facing deportation that they will not face prosecution upon their return.
“As far as the Namibian government is concerned, these nationals have not violated any Namibian laws that warrant prosecution upon their return to Namibia. Freedom of speech and freedom of association are also fully guaranteed in the Namibian Constitution,” he said.
According to Naanda, all the costs of deportation will be carried by the UK government.
Last week, the British high commissioner to Namibia, Charles Moore, said his government only deports those who break the country’s immigration laws.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
