French Minister meets with High Commissioner regarding mixed migration
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
During a meeting with French Minister for Immigration Eric Besson yesterday, 18 September, in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres said he hoped that appropriate measures will be taken to assure the protection of asylum seekers and unaccompanied children during the public action to take place in the northern French city of Calais in the course of the next week. This was expressed following Mr. Besson's announcement earlier in the week that French authorities will close down the various makeshift settlements in and around Calais - known as the 'jungle' - where several hundred undocumented foreigners are waiting in the hope to cross into the UK.
The High Commissioner recognized the challenges posed by irregular migration, and the strain which the network of smugglers and traffickers poses on the Calais region. He further recognized the right of the French Government to maintain law and order. However, he noted that among the irregular migrants in the region there are persons in need of international protection, and noted the protection needs of these individuals, particularly the large number of unaccompanied children.
UNHCR was encouraged by France's commitment to ensure that the situation of each individual is carefully examined and appropriate solutions found. This should include access to full and fair asylum procedures and the option of assisted voluntary return. It was recognized that many of the people present in the Calais area come from countries affected by war and insecurity such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia and the protection needs of such persons should be carefully considered. The High Commissioner encouraged France to provide accommodation to all asylum seekers, as well as unaccompanied children.
The High Commissioner noted that there is a need for a true European asylum space with consistent rules and procedures. He described the current system as 'asylum à la carte'. In view of the current disparities, he appealed for a flexible implementation of the Dublin II Regulation, which states that asylum claims should normally be decided in the first country where the applicant entered the EU. He reiterated UNHCR's views that asylum-seekers should not be returned to Greece, in view of deficiencies in the system there.
UNHCR is present in Calais providing information and counselling undocumented foreigners about claiming asylum in France and other options, such as voluntary return to their home country. Together with other organizations, UNHCR aims at helping the migrants to make an informed decision about their future.
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UNHCR Statistical Yearbook 2009 - Chapter IV: Asylum and Refugee Status Determination
Oct 2010 ... ... Conversely, for UASC from Eritrea and Myanmar, rates were significantly higher with 62 and 98 per cent, respectively. Young Afghan boys and teenagers have to endure the cold in Calais, France. Some ...... -
List of Participants: Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Sixtieth session (Geneva, 28 September - 2 October 2009)
8 Oct 2009 ... ... Andreas OLLINEN, Political Advisor, Ministry of Justice Mr. Michael HAGLUND, Desk Officer, Ministry of Justice Ms. Louise CALAIS, Deputy Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Monika WENDLEBY, ...... -
List of Participants at the Sixty-first Session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme
13 Oct 2010 ... ... Jan KNUTSSON, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva Ms. Carin BRATT, Director Ministry of Justice Ms. Louise CALAIS, Deputy ...... -
The State of the World's Refugees 2006 - Human displacement in the new millennium - Chapter 2: Safeguarding asylum
19 Apr 2006 ... ... The State of the World's Refugees T he State of the World's Refugees Asylum seekers from various countries at the Sangatte Red Cross Centre near Calais, France before attempting to cross the border ...... -
2009 Global Trends: Refugees, Asylum-seekers, Returnees, Internally Displaced and Stateless Persons
15 Jun 2010 ... ... C A U X Young Afghan boys and teenagers have to endure the cold in Calais, France. Some sleep under bridges at night while others find accomodation through an organization defending the rights of ...... Attachments: 2009 Global Trends Annex Tables (.zip) -
UNHCR Accountability Framework for Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming and Targeted Actions: 2009-2010 Global Analysis
1 Jul 2010 ... ... children in the Calais region following police intervention. - Rep relayed concerns re unaccompanied children and trafficking victims to Ombudsman and directly engaged with authorities responsible. ...... -
UNHCR Refugee Emergency Response Plan - Supplementary Appeal - January - December 2016 (August 2016)
10 Aug 2016 ... ... Through additional staffing, a permanent presence has been set up in Calais (France). In Germany, UNHCR supported the Government through the deployment of an RSD expert. In Southern Europe, UNHCR ...... -
5. Ethics and Communication at Border Points. Annex 11 - DCAF Borders and security governance
2011 ... ... With French cooperation, high technology was also deployed before vehicles embarked at Calais so that by the end of 2002 all vehicles going to England through Calais were searched for illegal ...... -
Refugee Protection and Mixed-Migration: The 10-Point Plan in Action (complete publication)
Jun 2009 ... ... The Sangatte Centre, located in a town near Calais, set up to address the humanitar- ian needs of ... moving irregularly onwards from France to the UK and congregating in the Calais region remains. ......