A displaced woman returning home to the Swat valley. Photograph: Reuters (click title to entry - thank you)
Some aide workers are concerned the people are returning too early. I believe the Pakistani military is overseeing their return. I also believe some disturbance by the Taliban is expected, but, then that would be the case no matter when the people returned. One has to remember the people wanted their liberation from the oppressors. It is time to 'secure' the region by returning citizens to their homes and regular activities. The sooner the people experience 'freedom' and 'rights' the more they will seek to secure their communities.
There is the argument, that, keeping people in refugee camps much longer would be a 'sentence' all by itself. If the Pakistani government can succeed in preparing the region for the promise of a better life, there is every reason to believe they will have the loyalty of the people in continuing to secure their liberation rather than recidivism and timidity.
It was cruel and difficult with the Taliban. The people of Pakistan now have a chance to rid themselves and their regions of such oppressive regimes. They will succeed. They had the will to bring their military into the region, they will support them especially now.
...But some aid workers say the process has been poorly conceived and people are vulnerable to further attack.
"The Pakistani government is sending people home far too early," said Kristèle Younès, of Refugees International. "Displaced people should be the ones to determine whether it is safe for them to return, and we fear the government is not providing them with clear and accurate information."
"There are some suspicions that [the return] is not as free as you would like," said Dorothy Blane of Concern. "They should not be forced back just so the government can say that normal life has returned, because if they have to come out again it will be a disaster."
The return process got off to a slow and chaotic start. Residents trying to travel to Swat in private cars were turned back at the town of Sher Gur, on the edge of the conflict-affected area....
"The Pakistani government is sending people home far too early," said Kristèle Younès, of Refugees International. "Displaced people should be the ones to determine whether it is safe for them to return, and we fear the government is not providing them with clear and accurate information."
"There are some suspicions that [the return] is not as free as you would like," said Dorothy Blane of Concern. "They should not be forced back just so the government can say that normal life has returned, because if they have to come out again it will be a disaster."
The return process got off to a slow and chaotic start. Residents trying to travel to Swat in private cars were turned back at the town of Sher Gur, on the edge of the conflict-affected area....
