UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000530

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, PRM FOR CAROL-ANNE CHANG, GHANA FOR REFCOORD
NATE BLUHM, ABIDJAN FOR REFCOORD NICHOLAS HILGERT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL PINS ASEC SL LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIAN REFUGEES VOICE COMPLAINTS AT UNHCR WORLD

REFUGEE DAY EVENT

REF: SECSTATE 496

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Summary
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1. The June 12 riot at UNHCR offices in Freetown was
addressed by several panelists at the World Refugee Day event
on June 20. GoSL officials condemned the action and
chastised supporters of the urban refugees that led the riot.
An urban refugee representative responded to these comments
with a list of unanswered refugee complaints, which he said
instigated the riot. A UNHCR representative denied the
accusations, claming refugees were mainly upset because they
would not be resettled to the U.S. Changes in UNHCR's
strategy for addressing refugee complaints may prevent
further violence directed at UNHCR or resettlement officials.
End Summary.

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UNHCR Riot Discussed at World Refugee Day Event
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2. On June 20, POL Intern attended the World Refugee program
organized by UNHCR in the provincial capital of Kenema.
Approximately 350 people attended the event, including
representatives from the GoSL, National Commission for Social
Action (NaCSA, the Sierra Leone agency designed to implement
UNHCR-funded activities), UNHCR, UNIOSIL, WFP, NGO
implementing partners, and Liberian refugees.


3. In his opening address, NaCSA official Abdul Sheriff
affirmed the GoSL commitment to refugee assistance. He told
refugees that they would continue to be welcome and asserted
that refugee protection was an essential element of the Mano
River Union. Sheriff went on to admonish those refugee
"upstarts" who were involved in the June 12 riot at UNHCR
offices in Freetown (see reftel). He said that refugee
status will be revoked for anyone found guilty of criminal
activity. Sheriff urged refugees to address their concerns
through the proper legal channels and avoid any further
public disruption.

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Liberian Refugees Continue to Voice Frustrations
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4. Bo Urban Refugee Representative David Gwen voiced his
disapproval of the June 12 riot, but added that the riots
were the result of many months of unanswered refugee
complaints. He said that refugees are frustrated that UNHCR
stopped funding secondary education and that several refugees
died while awaiting third country resettlements for medical
purposes. Gwen demanded UNHCR improve efforts to identify
unregistered refugees and offer assistance for their
repatriation. Finally, he claimed to have proof that refugee
documents had gone missing from the Kenema camp and that
resettlement documents have been altered or stolen. (See
reftel)


5. After Gwen's speech, Sheriff chastised him for
criticizing UNHCR and the Sierra Leone Government, which
Sheriff said had consistently offered their support. Sheriff
said that any person involved in the attacks on the UNHCR
office would be found, arrested, and prosecuted.

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UNHCR Representative Attributes
Unrest to Resettlement Rejections
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6. On June 27, POL Intern spoke with UNHCR Deputy
Representative Abid Mir to clarify Gwen's accusations. Mir
had no knowledge of refugee deaths occurring after medical
resettlement was approved. He also knew nothing of missing
or altered refugee documents. Mir said that most of the
refugees are waiting for resettlement to the U.S., and when
resettlement is denied refugees often become disgruntled.
According to Mir, a recent report stating U.S. resettlement
of Liberian refugees would end in September 2006 was widely
circulated in camps and upset many of the refugees. (Note:
PolOff forwarded PRM-approved fact sheets on Liberian
resettlement policy to UNHCR and PAO, who will respond as

FREETOWN 00000530 002 OF 002


necessary. End Note.)

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Comment
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7. It was clear that Gwen addressed concerns shared by many
refugees. Whether or not these accusations have merit, the
perception amongst refugees is that they have been defrauded
by UNHCR representatives, a sentiment that has had a violent
repercussion in recent weeks. A number of people arrested in
connection with the riot are not registered refugees and are
unable to benefit from resettlement. Some measure of
resentment will be unavoidable among Liberians whose hopes to
settle in the U.S. will remain unfulfilled. On the other
hand, it would behoove UNHCR officials to be more responsive
and transparent with accusations of fraudulent resettlement
claims. End Comment.
HULL