High Commissioner visits Tunisia, to continue to Iran
Briefing Notes, 2 September 2008
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 2 September 2008, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
High Commissioner António Guterres arrived in Tunis yesterday evening (Monday) for a two-day visit at the invitation of the Government of Tunisia. His mission is aimed at strengthening cooperation between UNHCR and Tunisia, and at reinforcing UNHCR's presence in the country through the establishment of a full-fledged representation. Mr. Guterres will meet with the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, the Minister of National Defense and other senior government officials as well as the UN Country Team, UNHCR partners and staff. Upon request of the Tunisian government, UNHCR started its operation in the country in 1957 to assist several thousand Algerian refugees who had arrived in the country. Since 1963, UNHCR has maintained an Honorary Representation in Tunis.
On Thursday, Mr. Guterres will begin a visit to Iran, his second since being appointed High Commissioner in mid-2005. During his Sept. 4-7 mission, he is scheduled to meet the newly appointed Minister of the Interior and to discuss with him and other Iranian officials the future of refugees in Iran and UNHCR's mandate in the country. He will also see UNHCR's Iran operations and meet with refugee representatives.
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António Guterres, who joined UNHCR on June 15, 2005, is the UN refugee agency's 10th High Commissioner.
Pakistan: Fleeing to Safety
More than 1.5 million people flee their homes in North-West Pakistan.
Fighting between the army and Taliban militants in and around the Swat Valley in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province has displaced more than 1.5 million people since the beginning of May. Some of the displaced are being sheltered in camps set up by the government and supplied by UNHCR. Others - the majority, in fact - are staying in public buildings, such as schools, or with friends and extended family members. Living conditions are harsh. With the onset of summer, rising temperatures are contributing to a range of ailments, especially for villagers from Swat accustomed to a cooler climate. Pakistan's displacement crisis has triggered an outpouring of generosity at home. UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres is urging a "massive" assistance effort from abroad as well.
Pakistan: Fleeing to Safety
Nansen Award presentation for the late Senator Edward Kennedy
UNHCR's annual Nansen Refugee Award was posthumously awarded to Senator Edward Kennedy at a ceremony in Washington DC on October 29 for his life-long commitment to refugee rights. Kennedy's wife, Victoria, accepted the award on behalf of her late husband. In presenting the award, UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres, praised the "vision and commitment" of Senator Kennedy in his support for the displaced.
The prize money of US$100,000 will be donated to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, where it will be used to train the next generation of leaders dedicated to the cause of refugee advocacy. The Nansen Award is given to an individual or organization for outstanding work on behalf of refugees. It was created in 1954 in honour of Fridtjof Nansen, Norwegian polar explorer, scientist and the first global High Commissioner for Refugees.
Nansen Award presentation for the late Senator Edward Kennedy
World Refugee Day 2009 event with UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie
To mark the launch of activities in the United States for World Refugee Day, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie appeared alongside UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres at an event at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. on 18 June 2009. The event, which was hosted by UNHCR and moderated by NBC television anchor Ann Curry, included a live feed from the Djabal refugee camp in eastern Chad, where a UNHCR staff member on the ground spoke to the assembled audience.
Each year UNHCR sponsors a World Refugee Day poster contest under the patronage of Angelina Jolie for school children in the US. The theme of this year's contest is "Real People, Real Needs" and a winner from each of three age groups - elementary, middle and high school -- was presented with an award at the event. In addition, Rose Mapendo, a refugee from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, who has started her own NGO for victims of conflict, was presented with the USA's Humanitarian of the Year award.
World Refugee Day 2009 event with UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie
António Guterres Keynote Speech Part 1
António Guterres Keynote Speech for the 10th Annual Midwest Light of Human Rights Awards (Part 1/2)
Ramadan Solidarity Initiative
During the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres reminds us that international refugee law is echoed in Islamic law.
António Guterres Keynote Speech Part 2
António Guterres Keynote Speech for the 10th Annual Midwest Light of Human Rights Awards (Part 2/2)
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