Authorities,
NGOs mark world refugee day
Hakeem Babalola
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| Bicske FC celebrating their victory |
Bicske Budapest------It was a different
atmosphere as Bicske Refugee Camp hosted officials, NGOs, lawyers, police to
celebrate the World Refugee Day on Monday June 20.
Although
most of the refugees seemed not to know the reason behind the gathering, they
said they actually had fun mingling with different people from outside.
Organised
by the Bicske Refugee Camp in conjunction with Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Movement,
personalities took turn to highlight the importance of Refugee
Day, the challenges facing the refugees throughout the world and possible solution.
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| Cross section of participants |
Most
of the speakers deliberated on the significance of integrating refugees into
their host countries as this appears to be the only way to help them forget the
sorrow of fleeing their respective countries.
Using
the biblical illustration, Dr. Eyassu Tadesse compared the persecution of the Israelis
by Pharaoh with the plight of refugees nowadays. He said that although the Nazi
system crumbled a long time ago, it seems the system is re-appearing. The Hungarian Ethiopian Friendship
Association president enjoined the United Nations and governments to abolish
any kind of persecution including that of Romans whom he said were being hunted
in their own continent.
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| African Melody Band doing their thing |
For
the refugees, it was like a lifetime event as they mingled with the visitors to
smile their thanks. “It’s a different atmosphere today,” said a 17 year-old refugee
from Afghanistan.
Besides
speeches, football and cultural events were also used to convey a message of
hope.
Three
clubs (Debrecen,
Buda Juniors and the host Bicske) faced each other in a six-aside league
tournament in which the host came first, while the Buda Juniors came second.
The African Melody Band led by Dava Gin entertained the audience with conga
beating and dancing rhythm that sent everybody gaga.
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| Church service to mark World Refugee Day |
Earlier
on Sunday 19, Miklos Iványi, Minister
Hungarian Evangelical
Fellowship Church,
had organised a service to commemorate the World Refugee Day at the Church’s Fő Street where speeches
were also delivered by Roman local leaders, NGOs and civil society leaders.
The
VIPs that graced the Bicske event were Dr. Annamaria Vereb who represented Dr.
Zsuzsanna Végh (Director General Immigration and Nationality); Dr. Ágnes Ambrus
who represented Gottfried Kofner (UN High commission for Refugees); Sándor Hős,
Director Bicske Camp; András Back of Corvinus University; Minister Miklos
Iványi; Ahmed Sulaiman of szahara Foundation.
World
Refugee Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refuges throughout
the world. On December 4 2000 the UN General Assembly in resolution 55/76
decided that from 2001, June 20 would be celebrated as World Refugee Day
because 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the
Status of Refugees.
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| Dr. Annamaria Veres & Dr. Ágnes Ambrus |
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| Dr. Eyassu Tadesse & Dr. Péter Horvath |
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| Mr. Ahmed Suliman & Minister Miklós Iványi |
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| Centre: The host Mr. Sándor Hős & Mr. Andras Kováts |
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| L: Gibril Deen presenting certificate. R: Participants discussing |
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