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News 7/12/11 – Landmark Geneva Conference :: Refugee Boat Capsizes

Dec07
2011 Written by admin

Landmark Geneva Conference on Stateless

Geneva this week hosts what is though to be the biggest ever conference on the subject of refugees, displaced persons and the stateless.  It’s a UNHCR affair and designed to tie in with the 60th anniversary the UNHCR and the  UN Convention on the Status of Refugees. In it also the 50th anniversary of the Convention of the Reduction of Statelessness.

The importance of the occasion is highlighted by the list of those attending and the fact that more than 150 countries have said they are sending representatives to Geneva.  US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has confirmed her appearance as a representative of that country.

The remise of the meeting is that High Commissioner Antonio Guterres will speak about forthcoming proposals which the organisation feels are vital to enable the UNHCR to continue to deal with displaced and stateless people around the world.  Many countries have already accepted the new proposals in principle and it is also hoped that those who are are not yet signed up to the 1951 Refugee Convention will rethink their opposition to that most fundamental of agreements.  The meeting will also offer some of the most seriously affected countries a chance to elaborate on the specific and sometimes individual problems which affect them.

Refugee Boat Capsizes off Moroccan Coast

The Moroccan Royal Navy last week rescued many passengers from a refugee boat which had capsized not far from the Moroccan coast.  The boat was almost certainly en route to Europe when it got into difficulties late last week.  Although most were rescued by the Navy, four of the refugees are known to have drowned and several others are unaccounted for.

There appears to have been an increase in migrant crossings of this stretch of water in recent weeks and regional navies such as Italy, Libya and Malta have all reported seizures or rescues of overcrowded boats.

Somali Refugee Boat

Somali Refugee Boat

 

Posted in Africa, News, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - Tagged , , , , , ,

Refugee News & Updates 20/6/11

Jun20
2011 Written by admin

Syrians Continue To Push Towards Turkish Border

As the situation in Northern Syria continues to deteriorate, thousands more Syrians are making their way towards the Turkish border.  The Syrian government’s first major target was the town of Jisr al-Shughour which had been the centre of anti-government protests followed by an army crackdown which left many dead.

The army then spread out into the surrounding countryside, working their way through villages and smaller towns in what are clearly reprisal attacks.  These attacks have been the cause of thousands of Syrians making for the Turkish border.  Several thousand have already crosses at various border points but an even greater number is gathering on the Syrian side, apparently waiting to see if the army will head their way before heading for the safety of Turkey.

Turkey has already set up refugee camps on its side of the border but those who staying here are restricted to the camps.  This restriction may be the reason many are remaining on the Syrian side.  Turkey has responded to this situation by sending food and supplies over the border into Syria.

Turkey has historically good relations with Syria but these are now under some strain.  It is still observing border protocol and insisting that no Turkish soldiers will be crossing the border but if the Syrian army starts making for the refugees stranded there, Turkey may find to hard not to intervene.

Guterres Visits Lampedusa

Antonio Guterres, current head of the UNHCR, has visited Lampedusa, the tiny island sitting between Italy and North Africa which has become a landing point for Tunisians, and more recently Libyans, fleeing from uncertain situations in their own countries.  Refugees can claim asylum once they reach Lampedusa but the island has become overwhelmed by the rectn events in North Africa.

The Italian government has repeatedly asked for more European support to resettle the refugees and this is the point Guterres is supporting.  Italy has placed many Lampedusa refugees in mainland camps and this has concerned other European countries, particularly France, that they will be heading across their borders.  Probably what Lampedusa doesn’t need is a visit from UN “goodwill ambassador” Angelina Jolie, but they’re going to get it anyway.

Posted in Africa, Middle East, News - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Refugee News & Updates 13/6/11

Jun13
2011 Written by admin

Syrians Flee to Turkish Border

The Middle Eastern country of Syria is currently making global headlines for all the wrong reasons.  The Arab Spring, the term for the various popular uprisings that have characterised 2011 in North Africa and the Middle East, have been witnessed here also.

Access to the country is currently extremely difficult for journalists and, more importantly, aid agencies and the Syrian government says this situation will not change until order has been properly restored.  In this case ‘properly restored’ almost certainly means punishing those who have had the temerity to protest.

Much of the focus has been on the Northern town of Jisr al-Shughour.  Reliable sources say that elements of the army, including senior soldiers, defected to the side of the protesters and fought back against the government troops.  Recent news from the country has suggested that this has led to the government sending tanks and reinforcements to ‘deal’ with the problem and a large number of deaths has occurred in the town itself and in the surrounding towns and villages.

Syrian Refugees on the Turkish Border

This has been the catalyst for the worsening refugee situation in neighbouring Turkey, which shares a long land border with Syria.  In the past week or so, around 5000 Syrians have fled into Turkey, escaping from the government reprisals taking place around the North Syrian countryside.

Turkey has waived all checkpoint controls for Syrian refugees to allow them to cross the border and it is also likely that many more have crossed at other areas along the sprawling border.  Turkish Foreign Ministry official Halit Cevik said that the country was dealing with the crisis on a humanitarian level and that at the moment it could cope with the number arriving.  The UNHCR are not currently involved as the Syrians are temporary refugees who wish to return to Syria.

Syria itself has hundreds of thousands of refugees – mainly Iraqi but also Afghans and some from East African states such as Somalia.  In May, many Syrians fled the area around the capital Damascus in the South and crossed the Lebanese border.

 

 

Posted in Middle East - Tagged , , , , , ,

Refugee News & Updates 7/5/11

May06
2011 Written by admin

“Don’t Forget The Hosting Countries” says UNHCR

UNHCR Commissioner Antonio Guterres has asked richer countries not to forget the

Antonio Guterres

contribution made by poor neighbouring countries when regional problems arise.  Speaking at The National Press Club in Washington earlier this week, Guterres made particular reference to current events and specifically Egypt, Tunisia and Liberia.

While not particularly poor, Egypt is still coming to terms with its own revolution while at the same time managing to provide emergency services for those crossing the border from Libya.  Tunisia is in the same position, although various countries and international bodies have been helping in the border areas between Tunisia and Libya.

Liberia is the country really struggling to help all those crossing the border from Cote d’Ivoire although the conflict in that country may be nearing an and with the victory of the United Nations supported Alassane Ouattara over Laurent Gbagbo in the relatively brief civil war.  Liberia has opened its borders to refugees from Cote d’Ivoire and despite its own poverty has managed, with the help of various agencies, to provide food and shelter for hundreds of thousands of Ivorians.

Guterres stresses that it is about more than just financial aid for these poorer countries and that first world countries can help by providing settlement places for specific numbers of refugees.

Belgium Recording Increased Numbers of Lone Refugee Children

It is not entirely clear why, but Belgium has recorded a dramatic increase in the number of unaccompanied children arriving in the country as refugees.  Compared with the same months in 2010, there are about three times as many arriving and the ages seem to be getting younger.  Some are now as young as twelve, where before the youngest were sixteen to seventeen.

60% come from just two countries, Afghanistan and Guinea, with the former providing the majority.  Other countries include Somalia, Rwanda and Iraq.  Reasons cited for the increase are opportunities for education for at least one child and the chance to put down an ‘anchor’ in the European host country.

Posted in Africa, News

Refugee News & Updates 28/3/11

Mar27
2011 Written by admin

Cote d’Ivoire Update

The political situation in Cote d’Ivoire continues to cause concern for the various refugee agencies operating in that part of Africa.  UNCHR believes more than a million people are now refugees or have at least been displaced by the intensifying fighting.

Alassane Ouattara, recognised by all major international bodies as the rightful winner of last

Jose Brito

year’s election against Laurence Gbagbo, now controls the entire Northern half of the country while Gbagbo and his supporters remain in control of the administrative capital Abidjan.  This has not stopped clashes between pro and anti government forces in Abidjan however and there are estimates of 52 dead in the last week alone.

The African Union recently appointed a mediator for talks which were to begin on Thursday but Ouattara was unhappy with the choice of Cape Verde’s Foreign Minister Jose Brito and fighting has continued.

Liberia continues to take the brunt of fleeing refugees, 100,000 or more having sought refuge there since the end of last year.  Many Abidjan citizens are now also fleeing, escaping from pro-Gbagbo groups, high food prices and food shortages.

Lampedusa Struggles With Tunisian Refugees

The tiny Italian island of Lampedusa continues to struggle with the influx of Tunisian refugees following the recent protest there.  It has seen more then 15,000 arriving since

Lampedusa Arrivals

mid-January and although 10,000 have been transferred to other locations within Italy, the overcrowding on Lampedusa is becoming serious.  Hygiene standards are lacking and many are having to sleep rough as the local reception centre can only accommodate 850 people. Refugee agencies are once again urging the EU to assist in the shelter for these refugees.

Libya Update

Many Libyans and foreign nationals are still appearing at various border points around the North African country as intense fighting continues there.  Agencies will hope to see a fall in these numbers as the anti-Gaddafi forces continue to make gains Westward, supported by Nato air power.

Egypt is the most receptive country currently and most Libyans arriving there say they want to return to their own country after Gaddafi is removed.

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