UNHCR welcomes resumption of Belgium resettlement programme
Briefing Notes, 4 September 2009
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 4 September 2009, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
On Wednesday September 2nd, 36 Iraqi refugees were resettled to Belgium from Syria and Jordan. Their arrival marks the resumption of resettlement by Belgium, which was actively involved in resettlement until the mid 1990s.
The decision to resume resettlement was taken earlier this year by the Federal government, following a Conclusion adopted by the Council of the European Union on 27 November 2008 which encouraged the resettlement of up to 10,000 Iraqi refugees in EU Member States.
This first group comprised women alone and some single mothers with their children. Later this month, 11 Palestinian refugees from the no-man's land refugee camp located at the Al Tanf border between Syria and Iraq will be welcomed for resettlement.
All the resettled refugees will receive refugee status in Belgium. Upon arrival they will be taken to Federal reception centres where they will receive cultural orientation and support. Once private homes have been identified, the refugees will move from the reception centres. NGOs have offered to help them to settle in their new communities.
UNHCR welcomes this resumption of resettlement, which plays a critical role in the system of international protection for refugees. On a global level, there is still a huge gap between resettlement needs and resettlement places. There is thus considerable scope for expanding resettlement in the European Union.
EU law and practice affects creation of refugee protection mechanisms in other countries.
1 In A Million
A relevant handbook on the reception and integration of resettled refugees.
A repository for exchanging ideas on resettlement partnerships, June 2011.
An alternative for those who cannot go home, made possible by UNHCR and governments.
July 2011 edition of the UNHCR Resettlement Handbook.
July-December 2011. Also available in Spanish on Refworld.
Summary of main points, Brussels, 24 February 2011
Trends on asylum and protection in EU Member States.
Brussels, 6 December 2007
UNHCR's regularly comments on key EU Regulations and Directives relating to asylum.
UNHCR has numerous projects with EU Member States to improve the quality of asylum.
UNHCR expertise helps courts interpret legislation in accordance with international asylum law.
The significance of resettlement as a durable solution is increasing in the EU.
Integration is a two-way process requiring efforts by the host societies as well as the refugees.
UNHCR is lobbying for protection-sensitive border management.
UNHCR is monitoring asylum practice and whether it is consistent with the 1951 Convention.
UNHCR is promoting and supporting cooperation with EU Member States and EASO.
EU law and practice affects creation of refugee protection mechanisms in other countries.
UNHCR expects Member States to pay particular attention to asylum seekers and refugees with specific needs.
Zaragosa, 15 and 16 April 2010
UNHCR engages with EU Member States to identify and resolve the problems of stateless persons.
Related Internet Links
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Resettlement from Tunisia's Choucha Camp
Between February and October 2011, more than 1 million people crossed into Tunisia to escape conflict in Libya. Most were migrant workers who made their way home or were repatriated, but the arrivals included refugees and asylum-seekers who could not return home or live freely in Tunisia.
UNHCR has been trying to find solutions for these people, most of whom ended up in the Choucha Transit Camp near Tunisia's border with Libya. Resettlement remains the most viable solution for those registered as refugees at Choucha before a cut-off date of December 1, 2011.
As of late April, 14 countries had accepted 2,349 refugees for resettlement, 1,331 of whom have since left Tunisia. The rest are expected to leave Choucha later this year. Most have gone to Australia, Norway and the United States. But there are a more than 2,600 refugees and almost 140 asylum-seekers still in the camp. UNHCR continues to advocate with resettlement countries to find solutions for them.
Resettlement from Tunisia's Choucha Camp
Crisis in Iraq: Displacement
UNHCR and its partners estimate that out of a total population of 26 million, some 1.9 million Iraqis are currently displaced internally and more than 2 million others have fled to nearby countries. While many people were displaced before 2003, increasing numbers of Iraqis are now fleeing escalating sectarian, ethnic and general violence. Since January 2006, UNHCR estimates that more than 800,000 Iraqis have been uprooted and that 40,000 to 50,000 continue to flee their homes every month. UNHCR anticipates there will be approximately 2.3 million internally displaced people within Iraq by the end of 2007. The refugee agency and its partners have provided emergency assistance, shelter and legal aid to displaced Iraqis where security has allowed.
In January 2007, UNHCR launched an initial appeal for US$60 million to fund its Iraq programme. Despite security issues for humanitarian workers inside the country, UNHCR and partners hope to continue helping up to 250,000 of the most vulnerable internally displaced Iraqis and their host communities
Posted on 12 June 2007
Crisis in Iraq: Displacement
Non-Iraqi Refugees in Jordan
After Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled in Iraq in 2003, groups of refugees who had lived in the country for many years tried to leave the chaos and lawlessness that soon ensued. Hundreds of people started fleeing to the border with Jordan, including Palestinians in Baghdad and Iranian Kurds from the Al Tash refugee camp in central Iraq.
Aside from a few Palestinians with family connections inside the neighbouring country, the refugees were refused entry and free movement in Jordan. Thousands were soon stranded in the no-man's land between Iraq and Jordan or at the desert camp of Ruweished, located 60 kilometres inside Jordan.
Since 2003, Palestinians, Iranian Kurds, Iranians, Sudanese and Somalis have been living there and suffering the scorching heat and freezing winters of the Jordanian desert. UNHCR and its partners have provided housing and assistance and tried to find solutions – the agency has helped resettle more than 1,000 people in third countries. At the beginning of 2007, a total of 119 people – mostly Palestinians – remained in Ruweished camp without any immediate solution in sight.
Posted on 20 February 2007
Non-Iraqi Refugees in Jordan
Greece: Syrian Refugees Struggle
As Syrian refugees escape conflict and seek refuge in Greece, they face major new challenges.
Iraq: A Home for a Syrian Family
Kava and his family arrive at Domiz camp in northern Iraq, traumatized by the conflict in Syria. With the help of UNHCR and its partners, his family has found shelter and a glimmer of hope.
Greece: A Way into Europe
Desperate Syrian refugees take deadly risks to get to Europe.
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