Towards a more constructive analysis of forced migration : the case of Zimbabwean migrants in Zambia

C O N C L U S I O N

Through this essay, I tried to maximise the positive impact of forced migration while limiting its negative consequences for countries of origin, and destination, as well as for the individual migrants themselves, women as well as men. It is true that forced migration's consequences can mainly be addressed in negative terms, such as poverty, violence, diseases... Yet, to approach forced migration under its negative impacts only does not allow to build an objective and complete reality, leading to understand all the consequences of forced migration. It is also true that in the case of forced migration of Zimbabweans, the migration Zambia is quite new and lack organization. Zimbabweans are mainly living on economic survival. Nevertheless, on the long term, a more general positive change could emerge, especially from women, qualified workers, but also from manual workers who are able to gather in unions or civil society groups, so that Zimbabwean migrants in Zambia raise their voice so as to be recognized certain rights.

Certainly, for the Zambian government, to grant a status of refugee to Zimbabwean «economic migrants» will mean to take a political position on the Zimbabwe crisis, but it could also be beneficial to Zambia, as the Zimbabwean migrants who will be granted the status of refugees, for instance, could then be provided aid and assistance by international organizations, hence reducing the poverty level of migrants. This will also mean greater individual security through the right to legally remain in the country, and the value of this should not be under-estimated, the right to study, to work, or to establish a business. Efforts by the Zambian government to regularize the status of irregular Zimbabwean migrants could bring positive results in terms of more effective migration management, but also in terms of poverty reduction as well as an increase in human rights protection.

On a greater regional level, as the Zimbabwe crisis in not only affecting Zambia, but also South Africa and Botswana, the SADC should break their silence on the crisis in Zimbabwe and place pressure on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to publish official and definitive results after the 29^th March elections. In the longer term, a regional policy towards Zimbabwean migrants would help resolving the problematic situation of Zimbabwean migrants being daily deported back to Zimbabwe. This vicious circle must end up.

B I B L I O G R A P H Y

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, July 2007, «Displacements of Zimbabweans into Malawi: the implications for poverty eradication efforts», Lilongwe, Malawi, Research report

Ghosh Bimal, 2005, «Costs and benefits of migrations. Chapter 8: Economic effects of international migration, a synoptic overview», World migration

Lassailly-Jacob Véronique, June-July 2007, «From Zambia to Mozambique. Mozambican returnees and former refugees in the border area», University of Poitiers, Migrinter, Fieldwork Report

Makina Daniel, September 2007, «Survey of profile of migrant Zimbabweans in South Africa: a pilot study», University of South Africa, South Africa, Research Report

Ohta Itaru, Gebre Yntiso D., 2005, «Displacement risks in Africa : refugees, resettlers and their host population», Kyoto University Press and Trans Pacific Press

Specific reports:

Development Indicators Unit, Statistics Division, UN, 30th November, 2007

« Southern African Leaders Meet on Zimbabwe», Voice of America, 12 April 2008

UNAIDS resources:

Humanitarian Unit, HIV and conflict settings, Annual Update 2002

Report on the global AIDS epidemic, country profile: Zambia and Zimbabwe 2006

Legal resources:

Constitution of Zambia

Immigration and Deportation Act

Refugee Control Act

Convention relating to the Status of Refugees

Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa

Useful Internet websites:

www.irinnews.org/ : Integrated Regional Information Networks, humanitarian news and analysis, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

www.forcedmigration.org/ : Forced Migration Online

www.caat.org.uk/ : Campaign Against Arms Trade

www.crisisgroup.org/ : International Crisis Group

www.refugeesinternational.org/ : Refugees International

www.osisa.org/ : Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa

www.newzimbabwe.com/ : Zimbabwe news

www.afrol.com/ : African news agency