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Comoros: Information on the relationship between the governments of France and Comoros; and on whether it would be possible for an individual fleeing Comoros to seek protection and/or remain in Mayotte

For general information on the state of relations between France and Comoros, as well as an overview of recent events affecting their relationship, please consult the attachments.

Regarding the possibility of an individual from Comoros seeking protection in Mayotte, according to The State of the World's Refugees 1993, France has declared that the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees applies to all territories for which it is responsible for international relations (UNHCR 1993, 167). Information on whether there exists a refugee determination system or other mechanisms to handle asylum claims in Mayotte could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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 additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). 1993. The State of the World's Refugees 1993. New York: Penguin Books.

Attachments

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 23 February 1995. Vol. 32, No. 1. "In Brief: Comoros-France," p. 11767.

_____. 23 January 1995. Vol. 31, No. 12. "In Brief: Comoros-France," p. 11735.

The Europa World Year Book 1994. 1994. 35th ed. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications, pp. 833-36; 1189.

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 18 March 1995. No. 663. "Comoros Islands: Chirac Gunning for National Unity," p. 2.

_____. 18 March 1995. No. 663. "Comoros Islands: Results of French Political Mission," p. 2.

_____. 4 March 1995. No. 661. "Comoros Islands: Balladur May Try to Calm Things," p. 2.

_____. 25 February 1995. No. 660. "Comoros Islands: Give Yourself a Pat on the Back," p. 2.

_____. 4 February 1995. No. 657. "Comoros Islands: French Are Worried," p. 5.

_____. 28 January 1995. No. 656. "Comoros Islands: Anti-France Anger," p. 3.

_____. 17 September 1994. No. 638. "Reunion Island/Mayotte: French Premier on Track," p. 3.

_____. 16 July 1994. No. 632. "Mayotte: A Political-Real Estate Problem," p. 2.

_____. 11 June 1994. No. 627. "Mayotte Islands: Bill on Immigration," p. 2.

_____. 9 April 1994. No. 618. "Comoros Islands: Towards a Political Amnesty," p. 4.

_____. 26 February 1994. No. 612. "Said Hilali (Comoros Islands)," p. 8.

Additional Sources Consulted

Amnesty International Report 1994.

Country Reports. 1994-1995.

Critique of 1993 DOS Reports.

DIRB Country File.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) reports.

Human Rights Watch World Report 1995.

On-line searches of news articles.