http://www.unhcr.org Speeches by Gerrit Jan van Heuven Goedhart en-gb Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:58:31 GMT UNHCR 2013 60 2,200,000 refugees now under UNHCR mandate, over half in Europe
But this mandate still excludes many more (e.g. Palestinians, East Germans in West, Europeans in China, Indian Moslems in Pakistan, Pakistani Hindus in India)
Difference is that UNHCR mandate refugees are aliens in their country of asylum
Convention now ratified by 15 parliaments
Protection starts with the eligibility process
Within Europe the demand for repatriation following WWII has now subsided
9 million returned home 1945-7, only 70,000 1947-51
Most remaining refugees dream of a new life overseas
But in reality there are limited places, and they tend to go to the fittest and brightest
So assimilation becomes the most likely solution for most refugees, like it or not
UNHCR not an operational agency (voluntary agencies do this)
This keeps costs and staff requirements down (currently 123 at headquarters and branch offices)
Main battle for UNHCR has been to persuade governments that the refugee issue not solved
Turning point 1: authorisation to establish a Refugee Emergency Fund for neediest
Turning point 2: thanks to a Ford Foundation donation, longer-term integration projects possible and seen as workable
Turning point 3: General Assembly approves a 4-year programme
Unfortunately, raising the funds for the programme has proved troublesome
The existence of so many refugees in Europe in wretched conditions shames us all]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb918.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb918.html Mon, 12 Dec 1955 00:00:01 GMT http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fba24.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fba24.html Sat, 10 Dec 1955 00:00:01 GMT The three solutions (repatriation, resettlement, integration)
Overriding rule: refugee must decide himself
However, his choice may not always be available
Thanks to government of USSR, meetings with refugees in camps in Austria, whose repatriation decisions appeared free and fair
5 years since UNHCR instituted, retrospective of achievements in that time
Difficulties with financing integration
Approval of UNHCR's 4-year integration programme a new departure
Advisory Committee becomes Executive Committee
Issue of refugee eligibility
15 ratifications of Convention (most recent Ecuador)
Protection: Importance of travel documents, particularly for refugee seamen
Situations in Germany, Austria, Trieste, Hong Kong
Importance of co-ordination on programmes
Difficulty of separating refugee and overpopulation issues
The new UNHCR programme targeted first of all at those still in camps (some 70,000)
HC also considering help for special groups in France and Belgium
Need for regular funding for programme success
Programme currently only 50% funded
Opportunities for resettlement limited, so realistic alternative for most refugees is integration
Resettlement developments by European governments (Sweden singled out for praise)
Importance of voluntary agencies at operational level
Dutch "give me a key to a door" campaign]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fc418.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fc418.html Tue, 4 Oct 1955 00:00:01 GMT Diplomat and League of Nations delegate
Work for Russian and Armenian refugees
HC has instituted a medal in Nansen's honour
A model to the young
The only true way to honour his memory is to try to follow his great example]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fba0.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fba0.html Fri, 13 May 1955 00:00:01 GMT $12-million UN emigration and integration programme to begin in coming year
Includes training, housing, placement, special arrangements for old and ill
Copies in local languages in all camps]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fba38.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fba38.html Wed, 22 Dec 1954 00:00:01 GMT Convention already in force in Germany
These plus UK have now ratified]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb818.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb818.html Thu, 22 Apr 1954 00:00:01 GMT IRO legacy populations (Shanghai, Trieste)
Emphasis on long-term solutions should not be at expense of immediate assistance to needy
Understandable reluctance of governments to spend reconstruction funding on alien refugees in camps rather than their own citizens
Consequent need for UN to enable targeted lending
First steps toward this in Germany (Expellee Bank)
Issue of refugee integration in Austria, lack of credit facilities
Agreement with government of Italy on refugee documentation
Support of Holy See
Work of voluntary agencies]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb610.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb610.html Fri, 1 Jan 1954 00:00:01 GMT HC's regard for Council because it includes elected representatives
Differences and overlaps between refugee mandates of Council and UNHCR
Issue of refugees who do not enjoy the rights of nationals
Number concerned is 350,000, including 88,000 in camps
UNHCR has no operational capacity for voluntary repatriation
Council's role in resettlement limited by need for preparation by the (non-European) receiving country
Similarly, continued integration requires an increase in economic absorptive capacity in the countries involved
Europe's special role in refugee affairs]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fba40.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fba40.html Fri, 1 Jan 1954 00:00:01 GMT Statutes and General Assembly Resolutions governing UNHCR's work
Since refugee flows are not static, important for UNHCR to be flexible too
The "refugee problem" is in fact a myriad of separate problems (e.g. relations with governments, refugee records, unaccompanied children, camps etc. etc.)
UNHCR staff worldwide = 99 people
HC proud that so few have been able to achieve so much
Convention: 5 made of 6 ratifications needed to bring it into force (Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany)
Consequences of errors in assessing UNHCR's first-year budget requirements
Issue of 15,000 European refugees in Shanghai
Thanks to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland for help with "difficult cases" (and HC's hatred of term "hard core")
Issue of the Volksdeutsche in Austria
Issue of difficult cases in Trieste
Need for international oversight of spending by voluntary agencies of international money
United Nations Refugee Emergency Fund (for assistance to most needy) is broke
Issue of 100,000+ still in camps in Europe
Methods of spinning out scarce funds
Cheap housing in Germany
Issues of refugees in Yugoslavia and Chinese in Hong Kong
6 conclusions:
1. Solving refugee problems needs co-operation and co-ordination, UN right for the job
2. UNHCR works best when allowed to look at all aspects of refugee problems
3. "refugees do not require any new machinery to be established for their benefit, but a better use of existing machinery"
4. Governments should give attention at a higher level to refugee problems
5. Solutions require long-term planning; 5-year term for UNHCR seems better than current 2
6. Funding uncertainty for the most needy compromises UN principles and promises.]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd7e.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fd7e.html Tue, 13 Oct 1953 00:00:01 GMT http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fbb18.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fbb18.html Fri, 8 May 1953 00:00:01 GMT General Assembly decision-time on UNHCR's future approaching
Most disturbing: 100,000+ refugees still in camps in Europe after 7 years
Camps in Germany particularly worrying, with outflow in West Berlin
Measures taken to cope with Berlin influx
Importance of visiting refugees where they are and have personal contact with them]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fba34.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fba34.html Sat, 25 Apr 1953 00:00:01 GMT It will also not go away ("perennial" not "transitory")
Phases of refugee return since WWII: return (UNRRA), resettlement (IRO) and now (more assimilation)
Mistake in thinking that these have solved the refugee problem
Important not to reach a receiving country's "saturation point" for immigrants
This point can only be extended by economic development (roads, schools, housing, etc.)
Some countries reaching this point (Australia, Canada, Brazil examples)
Problems in defining "refugee" - too wide = number impossible to cope with
UN definition includes around 2 million refugees
Thanks to Ford Foundaton for unrestricted $3m donation
Big problem is refugees in Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece and Near and Far East
Still 100,000+ refugees in camps in Europe
UNHCR's proposed programme: protection; promotion of emigration and of assimilation; material relief to the most needy
HC's preference for assimilation or integration over emigration not philosophical, just a recognition of current realities
Swiss Aid's work in Austria
Importance of small loans on easy terms in refugee integration
HC's disappointment with contributions to Emergency Fund for assistance to most needy]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb630.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb630.html Thu, 19 Feb 1953 00:00:01 GMT 5 things UNHCR does; voluntary repatriation; migration; assimilation; assistance to most needy; protection to those who need it
UNHCR's ability to repatriate depends upon goodwill of governments and necessary funds
Precious little of either, so not much voluntary repatriation
Convention now signed by 20 States, first ratification (Denmark) made
Progress on protection agreements with Germany and Italy
Statement to concentrate on migration, assimilation and assistance
HC's preference is "migration where possible, assimilation where no migration possible, and assistance where neither migration or assimilation feasible."
However, in reality a refugee's chance of migration is not big
130,000 refugees still living in camps in Europe
Reasons why refugees are unlikely to get a chance at migration
International agencies cannot ensure assimilation, which needs economic and social condtions they do not control
Importance of credit facilities in assimilation, example of Germany
United Nations Refugee Emergency Fund for assistance to most needy
Target $3m, $800,000 so far received
Issue of refugees in Shanghai]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fba10.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fba10.html Tue, 9 Dec 1952 00:00:01 GMT ...and to act with the honesty and moral clarity of children
But they represent us, and can only be as good as we ourselves are
Speaker proud to be an idealist, because it is the idealists who have improved mankind
UN has saved hundreds of thousands from starvation and misery
UN a new phase in mankind's struggle betweeen Might and Right
UN as supranational unit of mankind
"What we have achieved is of less importance than what we have still to perform"]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb40.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb40.html Fri, 24 Oct 1952 00:00:01 GMT Consequent curtailment of assistance programmes
Not possible for some governments to afford extra burden of refugee care
International community must therefore help out
No improvement in Shanghai or Trieste
Voluntary repatriation not much in demand
Migration and assimilation therefore only viable solutions
'New life' feeling that migration alone gives
However, migration possibilities limited
Assimilation therefore only real solution for many refugees
Needs capital
Progress on the ensurance of citizen rights to refugees in Italy, Austria and Germany
Disappointment at delay in Convention ratifications
Brazil, Italy and Holy See have recently signed
Need for imaginative programmes for assimilating refugees
Thanks to voluntary agencies for doing this
Even smallest projects of value
Special thanks to Ford Foundation]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb628.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb628.html Mon, 15 Sep 1952 00:00:01 GMT "Good unites more than evil divides"
"Nothing makes human beings feel better than to help other human beings"
Success of International Red Cross Day a tribute to humanity]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fbc1c.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fbc1c.html Thu, 8 May 1952 00:00:01 GMT http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fbc14.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fbc14.html Wed, 30 Jan 1952 00:00:01 GMT UNHCR constituted in response to more permanent refugee problems
Refugees originally within UNHCR remit (guessed at 1-1/2 million)
UNHCR not originally conceived as an operational organisation
Desparate straits of refugees in far East
Refugee health in Shanghai, Samar and Trieste
UNHCR funded directly by Governments
UNHCR relations with voluntary agencies
Permanent solutions: repatriation, resettlement, assimilation
Credit facilities for refugees
Participation of refugees in planned migration schemes (IOM to move 115,000 in first year)
International protection in countries of asylum = assurance of citizen rights
USA Constitution ensures these rights automatically, other countries don't
USA branch office has a primarily liaison function
Importance of United States voluntary agencies to UNHCR's ability to carry out its work
What United Service for New Americans does in USA, UNHCR has to do worldwide]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb78.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fb78.html Sat, 19 Jan 1952 00:00:01 GMT http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fa87.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fa87.html Thu, 17 Jan 1952 00:00:01 GMT Need for branch offices
Value of voluntary agency help
Early convention signatories
Refugee health (example TB in Trieste)
Impossibility of helping all refugees worldwide, need to concentrate on neediest cases
Long-term solutions: assimilation and resettlement ('migration')
Resettlement problem: refugees often not ideal candidates]]> http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fbb14.html http://www.unhcr.org/3ae68fbb14.html Wed, 2 Jan 1952 00:00:01 GMT