The Network of Ex-Asylum Seekers (NEAS) situated at 54 Wellington Street on Monday 6th February, 2023, held a press conference which was chaired by its National Coordinator, Mr. Abdulai Daramy.
In highlighting the success achieved by the organization since its establishment over ten years ago, Mr. Daramy applauded all those who supported their cause to ensure that deportees restore their dignity upon arrival home and are assisted to integrate to society through moral and financial support. He further thanked the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other stakeholders their unflinching support towards their work.
He disclosed that a bill awaiting to be enacted as a Deportation or Migration Act is awaiting parliamentary approval, adding that, when it’s finally approved, it will be a good document for all returnees.
“Whatever the category of persons in question, Whether returnees or deportees, What is clear is that they will all received the appropriate protective measures from government and other humanitarian organizations,” he said, it is a good news which he described as a thorny challenge over the years.
He said in the 21st century, the introduction and massive institutional use of the data system is aimed at keeping statistical records for historical, current and future references of events and issues bordering our respective engagements in life. He said despite the numerous financial challenges faced by the organization, it now operates a data system for quick response to consultative issues, research and records. This he said, is a big success; especially considering the international demands of meeting standards.
He said, since the drafting of the Migration bill, there has been a wide range of support from migration and deportation campaigners globally, noting that such an initiative will play a fundamental role to solve the most concern issues facing migration and deportation. He thanked staff of NEAS, adding that, their constant moral and little financial support to deportees who consequentially face stigmatization problems dwindle and distance them from crime related issue. He also thanked the Ministry of Local Government and Communities in the Provinces, NEAS has also succeeded to strengthen its campaign to regions, districts and chiefdoms countrywide.
Mr. Usif Mansaray, Programme Official for his part told journalists that, despite the success stories, there are challenges facing the organization worth noting for 2023. He said, NEAS is dealing with a global related issue which continues to effect the human race especially from Africa, Asia, Pacific and Caribbean countries and South and Central America. He said in a modern world with huge socio-economic disparities, the Youth of today seldom agree to stay home and get what they want in their life time.
He said deportees are not beneficiaries to any form of Educational, Medical, Employment, Social or any form of Welfare support either from the Public or Private Sector and this affects the smooth running of Neas as it is oblige to make cuts from money meant for sensitization to assist deportees needs in society. He said the issue of deportees and solutions to their plight is not in the frequent vocabulary of authorities which must have been hence it concern saving lives of the unfortunate.
He said another problem is the diplomatic approach to ensure that even when nations insist to deport aliens, they could do so within the ambit of fundamental human rights that are entrenched in the A.U Geneva and U.N. Charters on Human Rights.
