CONCERTED APPROACH BY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NECESSARY TO COMBAT REFUGEE PROBLEM, THIRD COMMITTEE TOLD
Press Release
GA/SHC/3316
CONCERTED APPROACH BY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NECESSARY TO COMBAT REFUGEE PROBLEM, THIRD COMMITTEE TOLD
19951109 The international community should adopt a concerted approach to combat the problems of refugees and displaced persons, speakers said this afternoon as the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) continued its consideration of issues relating to refugees and internally displaced persons.The representative of Liberia told the Committee that a comprehensive approach to the problem of refugees and internally displaced persons should give priority to prevention, impact on asylum countries and a durable solution. More than 12,000 Liberian refugees had returned home voluntarily since the seating of the Liberian National Council of State on 1 September.
The representative of Thailand said that a comprehensive plan of action could provide an effective solution to the problem of refugees and displaced persons, while the representative of Norway advocated that the protection and assistance needs of internally displaced persons be placed on the international agenda.
The representative of Zaire said that the international community should mobilize and help his country in repatriating refugees. The country was the victim of incidents in the Great Lakes region of Africa, he added.
Statements were also made by the representatives of Nepal, Yemen, Russian Federation, Togo, Belarus, Indonesia, Djibouti and Iraq.
Latvia, Estonia and Belarus spoke in right of reply.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m., Friday, 10 November to begin its consideration of the advancement of women and the implementation of the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace.
Committee Work Programme
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met this afternoon to continue its consideration of refugees, returnees, displaced persons and humanitarian questions. (For background information on reports before the Committee, see Press Release GA/SHC/3312 of 6 November.)
WILLIAM BULL (Liberia) said that as a country with almost one third of its population as refugees in neighbouring states, Liberia was deeply concerned about the worldwide increase in the number of refugees now reported at 27 million, including internally displaced persons. Liberia was also concerned about the relaxation by some countries of some international regulations regarding protection of refugee women and children. That unfortunate development was reflected in the decision of some governments to institute restrictive policies which barred refugees seeking asylum, expelled and/or forcibly returned refugees within their borders. Such acts were in clear violation of the provisions of the relevant international instruments which called for humane treatment of refugees.
He said that since the seating of the Liberian Council of State on 1 September, more than 12,000 Liberian refugees had returned home voluntarily. The Government had established the Disarmament and Demobilization Commission, the National Readjustment Commission and the Liberian Refugees, Repatriation and Resettlement Commission, with the complementary goals of disarming and reintegration of combatants and the repatriation and resettlement of refugees and displaced persons into normal life.
He called for a comprehensive approach to the problem of refugees and internally displaced persons, giving priority to prevention, impact on asylum countries and a durable solution.
SUSHAMA ACHARYA (Nepal) said her nation hosted some 100,000 refugees from Bhutan. Refugees had the right to return to their countries safely and with dignity. Nepal was making efforts to solve the problem of refugees through mutual discussion and understanding and appreciated the help of the UNHCR.
The representative said the large-scale presence of refugees in asylum countries, especially developing States like Nepal, aggravated the economic problems of those nations. Adequate attention should be paid to mitigate the impact of refugees on environment and society. Children and women should be provided special care, particularly in conflict situations.
AMEER SALEM ALAIDEROOS (Yemen) said that paragraphs 196 and 197 of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (document A/50/12) had referred to southern and northern Yemen. Those were erroneous because the country had been united despite attempts to break it. He was
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surprised at the figures cited regarding the number of refugees in his country. Yemen hosted about 60,000 Somalian refugees and thousands more from other countries in many of its cities and regions. Many others flowed in from the region of the Horn of Africa. Several camps had been set up to absorb refugees. Some of them had been rebuilt after being damaged in conflict. The actions of the international community, regional organizations and the donor community could bolster continuing support for refugees.
The representative expressed concern at the influx of refugees entering Yemen illegally, stating that his country reserved the right to deal with that matter. The world should help his country control that illegal flow. The repatriation and reintegration of refugees could be achieved through the concerted efforts of all parties, and with necessary political solutions. There should be a regional conference on the refugee situation in the Horn of Africa.
VLADIMIR PARSHIKOV (Russian Federation) said that there were nearly 25 million Russians currently living beyond the country's borders. It was estimated that in the next two years, nearly 1 million would return. One million people had been displaced within the countries of the former Soviet Union because of the various conflicts there. Russia was interested in supporting the international community in reducing tension in the region.
He expressed the hope that all countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States would participate in the preparations for the conference being convened by the UNHCR on the refugee situation in those countries. Such participation would make it possible to find solutions to the problem on a collective basis.
The Russian Federation was in favour of the establishment of a global system of exchange of information on the flows of refugees, he said. The existence of such a system would make it possible for advance notice to be given before emergency situations arose.
CHARIVAT SANTAPUTRA (Thailand) said that the country of origin must play a role in facilitating the solution and create conditions which encourage return of refugees. In giving temporary refuge, the country of first refuge should balance its humanitarian efforts with its consideration of its own security and interests. That was why Thailand could not entertain the concept of "local settlement" and the social problem it could cause. International burden-sharing regarding refugees could not be overemphasized. Good settlement programmes in third countries and pressure on countries of origin to create conducive environments for returnees would give heart to the States of first refuge while criticisms could call into question the granting of first asylum. A comprehensive plan of action could provide an effective solution.
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If peace had not returned to a country of origin, he continued, the UNHCR should seriously consider setting up "safe zones" within that country. They would provide safe havens for returnees and displaced persons under the care of the non-partisan UNHCR. While awaiting a durable solution, refugees and displaced persons should obey their host countries' laws and regulations, including lawful measures to maintain public order. The country of first refuge, the third country for resettlement and, particularly, the country of origin should share the burden of working together to solve the problems. The international community, too, should help.
TAY ABRA (Togo) said the gravity of problem facing refugees had made it necessary for UNHCR to convene regional conferences like the one held in Bujumbura. Togo hoped that the outcome of those conferences would be implemented. Countries directly concerned with the refugee situation should be involved in such implementation.
She welcomed the UNHCR's approach in coordinating activities aimed at tackling the refugee problem. Togo felt that there should be a global response to the prevention of the negative impact of the refugee situation. That response should be based on the political will to protect and defend human rights. There should also be the mobilization of financial resources.
IGAR GUBAREVICH (Belarus) emphasized the need to adequately protect humanitarian personnel. The Convention on the Protection of United Nations and Associated Personnel was the appropriate instrument for such protection.
He said that refugees were being attracted to Belarus because of the location of the country and its relative stability. There were already between 100,000 and 400,000 illegal immigrants in Belarus. The growth in illegal immigration was linked with organized crimes. Belarus was working to create legislation to regulate the migration process. A draft law on immigration was in final stages of preparation.
PETTER F. WILLE (Norway) said his country had, in consultation with the UNHCR, introduced the concept of temporary protection as an integral part of its refugee policy. The possibility of temporary protection encouraged a phased and orderly approach to repatriation, which should be the goal when conditions permitted.
The representative said that Norway had advocated that the protection and assistance needs of internally displaced persons should be placed on the international agenda. Because of the close links between human rights abuses and displacements, the Representative of the Secretary-General on the Internally Displaced, Francis Deng, had a catalytic role to play in developing a comprehensive approach to the problems. The best solution to the refugee problem was the prevention of the causes that made people flee. Respect for human rights, including minority rights, in countries of origin was critical
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for solving and preventing refugee problems. The responsibility of States to prevent conditions that gave rise to refugee flows and to promote conditions conducive to voluntary repatriation must be underlined. He stressed Norway's support for the UNHCR's continued efforts to protect and assist refugee children.
ISSLAMET POERNOMO (Indonesia) expressed appreciation for the work of the UNHCR in various aspects of refugee hosting and protection and, in particular, regarding the needs of refugee women and children. The UNHCR continued to institutionalize their concerns and to integrate their needs into programme planning and implementation. He noted the activities of the Working Group on Refugee Women and Refugee Children and the decision to create four new posts of Regional Advisor on Refugee Women. He also welcomed UNHCR's help with identification, registration and in tracing unaccompanied children.
He said that progress continued to be made in resolving the longstanding refugee problems in Southeast Asia. Indonesia and other countries of first asylum in the region had for 20 years borne their share of the burden and continued to provide humanitarian assistance. All parties concerned should continue their support and efforts until the problem was solved.
BADRI ALI BOGOREH (Djibouti) said conflicts were responsible for the refugee situation, but famine and drought also contributed. The vast majority of refugees were women, children and the aged. Many countries were adopting restrictive policies on asylum.
He said that East Africa and the Horn of Africa had been the hardest hit by the refugee situation. To find a lasting solution to that situation, heads of State of the region met in Addis Ababa in 1992 and agreed to work to banish the refugee problem in the region. The problem in Somalia remained as bad as it ever had been. Somalia was the only Member State not to be represented at the celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations. The violence and insecurity prevailing there did not give Somalian refugees any incentive to go home. The international community must do more to help Somalia restore its institutions and economy. Such assistance had been provided to other countries.
He said that Djibouti now had over 100,000 refugees or displaced persons as against its total population of 500,000. One of the consequences of that situation had been violence. Also, no less than 40 per cent of the country's health services were being used by refugees who were also a burden on the job market. The situation could destabilize the political situation if a durable solution was not found. Notwithstanding that situation, Djibouti had not tightened borders. Instead, it was encouraging voluntary repatriation where possible.
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LUKABU KHABOUJI N'ZAJI (Zaire) said his country shared a border with nine States and had faced the problem of refugees since the first days of its independence. Refugees had entered from Zambia, Angola, Sudan, Uganda and other States. Zaire had seen the influx of about 3 million refugees, mostly after the tragic assassination of the Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi. He was disappointed that the report of the UNHCR had not given due regard to the sacrifices of Zaire and its people. While the countries of the European Union had not accepted more than 700,000 refugees from the former Yugoslavia, Zaire alone had taken in much more than that recently. Despite that, it had been subjected to criticisms. Zaire would not sacrifice its people's welfare while it was being made a scapegoat by the international community.
The existence of refugees from Rwanda had had immense impact on his country, environmentally and otherwise. Whenever Zaire took action in the best interest of its citizens, xenophobia should not be inferred as the motive. The international community should mobilize and help Zaire in repatriating refugees. The country was the victim of incidents in the Great Lakes region of Africa, he added.
AHMAD M. HAMZAH (Iraq) said the question of refugees and internally displaced persons did not affect the host countries alone, but also the entire international community. The UNHCR was playing an important role in providing protection for such persons.
He said that refugees were a new phenomenon in Iraq. It had not been known in modern history for citizens of Iraq to go to other countries as refugees. Iraq had always provided asylum for refugees within its territory. The major reason that led some Iraqis to flee to other countries was the unusual circumstances the country was experiencing because of the unjust sanctions and the military aggression against Iraq. The sanctions had led to severe shortage of food and medicine which forced those Iraqis to flee to other countries to search for better means of sustenance. They hoped to return when the sanctions were lifted.
It was necessary for the United Nations, through the Economic and Social Council, to deal with the issue of immigration and its links to development in view of the interrelations between the two issues. Support by developed countries to developing countries was important in that regard. The United Nations should consider lifting or lessening the sanctions imposed on Iraq since the reasons for the imposition no longer existed, he stated.
Right of Reply
The representative of Latvia, also speaking on behalf of Lithuania, said that with regard to the statement by Belarus, Latvia viewed the movement of persons as representing repatriation of persons to their countries of origin.
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The representative of Estonia, also replying to Belarus, said that Estonia had set up a special fund to enable people to go back to their countries.
The representative of Belarus said that his statement referred to 10,000 inhabitants of the former Soviet Union who had applied to stay in Belarus. Each application would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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