VICTIMS

Refugees 'victims not terrorists'

Millions of Sudanese have fled fighting near their homes. New United Nations refugee agency head Antonio Guterres has said refugees are victims of terror not terrorists. Marking World Refugee Day with a visit to camps in northern Uganda, Mr Guterres appealed for a new approach to refugees and asylum-seekers. He said rich nations were confusing the issue with the problems of illegal immigration and terrorism.
He said Uganda, which hosts some 250,000 people was an example to rich nations of extraordinary generosity. "In refugees we are speaking of people fleeing persecution," he told BBC News.
Refugees from Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo have been given land and integrated into communities, something which Mr Guterres said was difficult to find anywhere else in the world. "I think we should learn from that and I think we should be generous towards them and I hope we will cherish the institution of asylum," he said.
The UNHCR provides assistance to more than 19m people who are displaced worldwide.