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Djibouti/Somalia: Information on "refugee certificates" for Somalis living in Djibouti

On 30 May 2001 a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Ottawa stated the following:

UNHCR has no knowledge of a "Refugee Certificate" issued in Djibouti. Such a document is not issued by the UNHCR. It is possible they [the UNHCR in Djibouti] point out, that the Letters of Attestation issued by UNHCR are being erroneously termed as refugee certificates. Alternatively this may refer to the refugee identity card issued by the government of Djibouti.

UNHCR's Letters of Attestation were issued between 1995 and 1999 and simply indicated that the holder is an asylum-seeker in Djibouti and that his/her case is being studied. It explained the presence of the holder and family in Djibouti. It is therefore a necessary document for all asylum-seekers, regardless of origin/nationality.

In 1999 the Government of Djibouti established its Eligibility Office. The Letters of Attestation are now issued by that office to asylum-seekers awaiting a final decision made by the National Eligibility Office in Djibouti.

The National Eligibility Committee determines whether an asylum-seeker is granted refugee status. Those granted will be issued by the Djibouti authorities with a "Carte d'identité de Réfugié" (refugee identity card). To date the Eligibility Office has adjudicated just 60 cases of a backlog of almost 2500.

Whilst the Letter of Attestation grants temporary residence to the holder until a decision is made on the applicant's status, the refugee identity card will in principle grant residence in Djibouti as well as "other rights outlined in the 1950 Convention".

...

The same procedure described above is applicable to all Somalis regardless of their clan.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Branch Office for Canada, Ottawa. 30 May 2001. Correspondence.

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB databases

LEXIS/NEXIS

World Refugee Survey

Internet websites including:

UNHCR

Topics: Somalis,