Teopolina Mushelenga

"Homosexuals were responsible for the HIV and AIDS pandemic"

"Migration is multi-faceted and complex, affecting and being affected by human security, economic, social and political developments, gender inequality as well as many other processes."

"My delegation is very pleased to participate in this High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development. This important forum offers Member States an opportunity to address one of the global challenges facing the world today, the international migration. We welcome the opportunity to discuss and reflect more on these issues which have both common and also different implications for our countries and indeed for the world at large. In this regard, Namibia reiterates its full support for the African Common Position on Migration and Development adopted in Banjul"

"We are realists and therefore recognize that an immigration policy in todays world should also address security concerns of both receiving states and migrants. We will need to find ways to ensure that state security and the obligations to guarantee social, economic, security and safety to its citizens are not compromised."

"Namibia along with other African countries has been reviewing legal and normative frameworks to promote safe and managed migration. An important guiding instrument is the SADC Protocol on Facilitation of Movements of Persons and Goods. This instrument however, needs to be buttressed by good practices."

"Some migration is fuelled by instability and uncertainty – while many are searching for places where the economic and social conditions are better. Others are simply searching for a place where they can be safe. In the Southern African region the asylum/migration nexus is an increasing problem. Over the last decade and a half or so, Southern Africa was transformed from a sending to a receiving region. Namibia – with its long history of support from the United Nations and its own experiences of exile -continues to respect the institution of asylum and refugee rights. At the same time, we are also seeking to promote voluntary repatriation of those refugees who can return to countries where stability and peace now have returned. In the near future we will also look at the issue of local integration for a tobe-determined number of refugees – long-stayers who no longer have ties to their countries of origin or are unable to return for other reasons, and who can contribute to our national development objectives."