African News Hungary: EXCLUSIVE NEWS

Authorities, NGOs mark world refugee day

Hakeem Babalola

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.

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.

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.

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.