A House with Two Rooms - The Advocates for Human Rights

sioner for Refugees should ensure that the repatriation process is carried out
in consideration of the policy guidelines contained in the U.N. High Commissioner for
Refugees Hand-book on Voluntary Repatriation, specifically taking into account:
o refugees’ physical safety at all stages during and after their return
including en route, at reception points, and at the destination,
o the need for family unity,
o attention to the needs of vulnerable groups,
o the waiver or, if not possible, reduction to a minimum of border
crossing formalities,
o permission for refugees to bring their movable possessions when
returning,
o respect for school and [agricultural] seasons in the timing of such
movements, and
o freedom of movement. 166
• The Government of Liberia should “allow its nationals to return in safety and with dignity
without any fear of harassment, discrimination, arbitrary detention, physical threat or
prosecution on account of having left or remained outside the country, and should provide
guarantees and/or amnesties to this effect. It should also take all measures to ensure the
restoration of full national protection.” 167
• Where refugees have lost their nationality, the Government of Liberia should arrange for its
restoration as well as for its granting to children born outside the territory and, as appropriate,
to non-national spouses. 168
• The Government of Liberia and the international community should prioritize support for
the Liberia Integration Program, specifically funding for: non-food items, shelter, agricultural
training and supplies, skills training, a cash grant program and other high priority areas as
Potential Implementation Strategy:
Refugee Repatriation Lessons Learned from Sierra Leone
In coordinating the return of refugees from Ghana and other West African host nations, the Government
of Liberia (in collaboration with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees) may wish to consider the
following lessons learned from refugee repatriation programs in Sierra Leone.
- Transport for refugees to rural communities was one of the greatest challenges. Government-backed,
regularized transport to rural communities may be one method of assisting refugees who wish to return
to rural areas and ensuring that they are not victimized en route.
- Trucks should be used as the primary means of transport due to their luggage capacity. Proper tagging
systems should be implemented to ensure that refugee possessions are not lost en route.
- Provide incentives for families to repatriate together and to continue to register as a family on a
regular basis to discourage the practice of abandoning children.
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Chapter Fourteen