Criticism and bibliography. Reviews

Edited by Yu. V. POTEMKIN, Moscow: Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2004, 130 p.

In recent decades, the refugee problem has become particularly acute on all continents of the world due to political and economic instability and difficult environmental conditions in most regions. This problem is particularly acute in Africa, where unprecedented mass migration is a widespread phenomenon. However, it would be a mistake to assume that those countries that are currently considered prosperous in this regard are immune from social, racial, economic and environmental problems. These circumstances determine the relevance of the scientific research undertaken by the staff of the Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences V. I. Gusarov, O. B. Gromova and I. G. Rybalkina on the problem of refugees.

The authors have thoroughly and thoroughly analyzed the situation and causes of refugee migration over the past two decades in several major refugee concentration centers on the continent: 1) Central Africa (Great Lakes region of Africa), 2) West Africa, 3) Horn of Africa, 4) Angola. In these regions, the problem of refugees has both common features, which should be recognized as typical for the refugee itself, and its own characteristics, caused by specific causes or a combination of causes of this phenomenon. Both deserve to be studied and adequate preventive measures taken in the future, both by various Governments and by international organizations.

The problem is investigated by the authors in various aspects. First of all, they focus on determining the status of a refugee (as opposed to a migrant or displaced person). To a layman, this question may not seem so important. But without a clear understanding of the essence of this concept, it is impossible to study the problems of refugees; in addition, the ambiguity with its definition directly affects the situation of refugees themselves. As far as I know, there is still no satisfactory interpretation of the term "refugee". The authors point out that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is most consistent with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Convention on Refugees of 1969, but rightly note that this definition does not mention the refugee status associated with sudden environmental disasters or economic crises.

The lack of a definition of the term" refugee " deprives many internally displaced persons of this status and, accordingly, the right to receive assistance from the governments of recipient countries and international organizations, and also serves as a basis for the forced deportation of refugees (which has been increasing recently), and in every possible way worsens their living conditions, as the examples given in the monograph eloquently show. Therefore, the authors 'very definition of the term" refugee " deserves attention.

page 193

Refugee status is a rather complex phenomenon. The authors note three types of forced mass displacement of the population: 1) forced displacement of people within the territory of a country of permanent residence affected by conflict or war; 2) cross - country refugee movement-to neighboring, nearby or distant countries of the continent; 3) flight outside Africa. At the same time, it is stated that the peculiarity of refugee status in Africa is that refugees are often forced to seek refuge in countries as poor and economically, socially and politically unstable as their own. Once again exposed to armed conflicts and various crises already on the territory of the country of refuge, they are forced to lead a nomadic existence. Refugee camps are often turned into strong bases for opposing forces; for this reason, refugees often leave such camps and seek to move independently to large cities and capitals, where they can no longer count on any official assistance and live in huts built from improvised materials. The author of this review, who worked for two years in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Mozambique (the countries most vulnerable to refugees), could clearly see the plight of uninvited newcomers, the negative and even hostile attitude of the authorities, and sometimes the local population towards them (although there were also cases of scant assistance to refugees from the latter and attempts in some way to prevent them).how to ensure their work).

The next issue that the authors consider is the impact of refugees on the situation of recipient countries. Refugees become a factor of criminalization, marginalization and instability there, and also have a negative impact on the ecology of the area of residence, as they increase the burden on agricultural land and even contribute to the disappearance of vegetation. In some countries, forests were cut down ostensibly for good purposes -to build housing for refugees, but the result was desertification of the territory. Therefore, some African countries have increased their border security measures and even closed them.

All this shows the inability of African countries to cope with the refugee problem on their own, and international organizations are needed to solve it. The authors of the monograph analyze both certain successes and shortcomings in the activities of international organizations. Considerable attention is paid to positive facts and trends in working with refugees, both by individual Governments and international organizations. I think that the authors ' intention to present in detail the positive aspects in solving the refugee problem is justified, because the described experience can be used and further developed in the future.

Particularly encouraging are the results of work with refugees in Uganda, where the Government and civil society organizations, in coordination with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), have established an extensive network of agencies to work with refugee children left without adult care and orphans, who have documentation to facilitate the search for their relatives. Projects are being implemented to eliminate adult illiteracy and provide medical care to refugees. Adults who want to get a job are involved in solving the country's environmental problems, for example, working in green space nurseries, which are subsequently planted in various parts of Uganda.

In some countries, refugee children are enrolled in school and certain types of vocational training. Women's committees have been organized to ensure a more equitable distribution of food supplies, and attempts are being made to create jobs, including for women and children, in IDP camps. There are programmes that focus refugee women on growing agricultural products that are in demand on the market, sewing clothes, and other purposes that meet the immediate needs of women and children.

Among the typical causes of refugees, the main ones, as can be seen from the analysis, are various crises - political, economic, and racial. Therefore, international organizations have recently begun to move to a different strategy, if not to solve, then to mitigate the refugee problem. Attempts are made to anticipate and predict various crises in a timely manner in order to avoid their most devastating consequences. The last one-

page 194

however, the prediction itself does not solve the problem, but it is possible to combine the planned efforts of governments and international organizations to provide assistance in a particular place.

In addition, recently international organizations have not focused on helping refugees in their places of residence, but have sought to allocate material and financial resources to countries that generate refugee flows, trying to stop these flows and keep potential refugees in their places of residence. It is not yet known what results this policy will bring, but the search for new ways to solve this problem is encouraging.

The reviewed monograph is the result of scientific analysis, it is based on the processing of numerous official sources, as well as journalistic materials on this issue. At the same time, it is written in a lively, expressive language that makes it accessible to the general reader. Therefore, its circulation (200 copies) is negligible. It is advisable, with the support of various foundations, to reprint it in a large print run so that it is widely distributed in Russia and abroad.

Permanent link to this publication: