• Text size  | | |
• Email this document
• Printable version

Malawi: Information on whether Malawi has a process to recognize Convention refugees, and if so, any details and recent statistics

According to Country Reports 1996, there were appoximately 1,700 refugees in Malawi by the end of 1996 (165). This source states that "although the government grants refugee status, it does not accept refugees for resettlement and does not permit them to work or study." Country Reports 1996 also states that  "there were no reports of forced return of persons to a country where they feared persecution. ... Asylum applicants are granted hearings to make their case for refugee status" (ibid.). Country Reports 1996, further notes that "NGO sources have expressed concern that some of those found not to be bona fide refugees(primarily Zaireans(were rejected because of poor quality translation or ambiguous questions that trapped or misled otherwise qualified refugees. ... Malawi government declared in December that refugees would not be permitted into the country. In that month, nine Rwandan refugees were intercepted and returned to Tanzania after illegally crossing into Malawi, but hundreds more have succeded in making their way into the refugee camp" (ibid.). For detailed information on this topic, please consult page 165 of Country Reports 1996.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1996. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

Topics: Illegal entry, Forcible return,