Guinea-Bissau: Information regarding the penalty for unsuccessful asylum seekers, particularly for reportedly high-profile artists
| Publisher | Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1990 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GNB4904 |
| Cite as | Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Guinea-Bissau: Information regarding the penalty for unsuccessful asylum seekers, particularly for reportedly high-profile artists, 1 March 1990, GNB4904, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aca01c.html [accessed 22 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Although there is no specific information regarding the penalty for unsuccessful asylum seekers, the U.S. Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 1989 states that while freedom of intellectual artistic and scientific expression is provided in the Constitution, those rights are exercised "in a manner contrary to the promotion of social progress" and that "in fact, these freedoms are restricted". [
FootnoteS:
U.S. State Department, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1989, (Washington: U.S. Government Printers, 1990), p.155.]
While the return of expatriates is encouraged, the 1986 death of an opposition member during the forced repatriation from Senegal is responsible for the apprehension felt by some government opponents towards their own eventual repatriation. [ibid. p.155.]
UNHCR states that it believes that no one should be sent back to their country of origin against their will. [ As stated by the head of UNHCR representation in Ottawa during a telephone conversation on 27 March 1989.] However, the UNHCR would have to study such claims case by case to determine the situation of forced repatriation for failed asylum seekers.
Professor Suleiman Nyang of Howard University in Washington DC states that the question of repatriating a failed asylum seeker to Guinea-Bissau is rather complicated. He reports that one can be found guilty by association, be it through contact with members of the defeated opposition group of Cabral or with international artistic and musical groups considered part of the counter-culture. Professor Nyang also stressed that membership to particular ethnic and social groups can be sufficient cause for mistreatment. He cites the criteria for restrictions regarding freedom of expression as being purposely vague, permitting the government broad interpretations to opposition or criticism.
Corroborating information regarding the above statements is currently unavailable to the IRBDC.
For further information please consult the attached excerpts from the following documents:
U.S. Department of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1989, Washington: U.S. Government Printers, 1990, pp.152-159.
George T. Kurian, Encyclopedia of the Third World, Third Edition, vol.II., New York: Facts On File, Inc., 1987, pp.803-804.
Amnesty International Report 1989, New York: Amnesty International USA, 1990, pp.57-58.
The Europa Year Book 1988, vol.I., London: Europa Publications Ltd., 1989, pp.1262-1263.
Africa Research Bulletin, Political Series, Oxford: Africa Research Ltd., 15 March 1989, 15 June 1989, 15 February 1989., pp. 9177, 9309-9310, 9557, respectively.
Response to previous Information Request No. 1839.
