The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday organised one day workshop with security officials in a bid to sentisize them on refugee laws and international protection, at the Paradise Suites Hotel.

In his opening remarks, Mr Sokou Saho, head of the UNHCR Banjul office, said refugees sometimes could be classified unfairly as economic migrants. He added that the reason for them to flee their country of origin was not for economic gains but to escape prosecution, the threat of imprisonment and even threats to their lives.

According to Mr Saho, UNHCR's mandate is to ensure that stakeholders such as security officials were updated with refugee issues and also to work collectively in order to address the worldwide refugee challenges.

 "The protection of refugees is primarily the responsibility of all states and, notwithstanding, since its inception, UNHCR has worked very closey with governments as partners in refugee protection. The Gambia government is always steadfast in its obligation to refugee protection", he remarked.

Deputising for Sako JM Drammeh, Director of Immigration,  Baboucarr Mboob, Commissioner of administration and finance at the Immigration Department, said The Gambia government through the Immigration Department, under the Department of State for Interio, has established cordial and friendly working relations to foster the smooth implementation of all the articles as enshrined in the convention.
 
"The Government has and will continue to provide and create enabling environment for UNHCR in fostering the spirit of the convention. The Gambia is a host to over (14,000) fourteen thousand refugees from war turn and disordered countries in the sub-region", he revealed.