-
Sudanese refugee gets a new shot at life
20 Nov 2003 After years of repeated displacement, an abusive marriage and constant harassment, Sudanese refugee Nyankiir Deng is looking forward to a quiet life in Australia. -
UNHCR criticises Australia for turning boat people away
11 Nov 2003 The UN refugee agency has said it is "deeply troubled" by Australia's attempt to prevent 14 boat people from having their protection needs examined. These likely asylum seekers have been escorted from Australian waters into Indonesian territory, where they may face deportation. -
Malaysia deports asylum seekers to Aceh despite UNHCR appeal
5 Sep 2003 Seven asylum seekers who originated from the Indonesian province of Aceh have been deported from Malaysia. This comes amid serious protection concerns raised by the UN refugee agency, and recent assurances against forced returns to the strife-torn province. -
UNHCR protests arrests of Acehnese in Kuala Lumpur
26 Aug 2003 More than 400 Acehnese asylum seekers have been arrested outside the UN refugee agency compound in the Malaysian capital in the last week. UNHCR has raised serious concerns about the detention, and urged the government to grant temporary protection to Acehnese fleeing the conflict at home. -
UNHCR urges solutions for refugees to combat trafficking
29 Apr 2003 UN refugee agency chief Ruud Lubbers has told an international gathering in Indonesia that a crackdown on people smuggling and trafficking must be accompanied by an effort to find solutions for those fleeing violence and persecution. -
Final effort to help 30,000 East Timorese refugees go home
1 Nov 2002 East Timor President Xanana Gusmão has launched a final bid with UNHCR and IOM to persuade East Timorese refugees in West Timor to repatriate. Those who decide to return by year's end will receive transportation to their hometown and a repatriation package. -
East Timorese leader in a bid to speed up refugee returns
5 Apr 2002 East Timorese leader Xanana Gusmão and UN refugee agency officials this week paid an unusual visit to the West Timor town of Atambua, in an unprecedented joint attempt to encourage East Timorese refugees to go back home. -
UNHCR urges Australia to review policy of detaining asylum seekers
1 Feb 2002 UNHCR welcomes the end of protests by asylum seekers at the Woomera detention centre, but urges the Australian government to review its policy of detaining asylum seekers. -
Refugee agency expresses shock and sadness at refugee boat sinking
23 Oct 2001 The U.N. refugee agency expressed shock and sadness Tuesday at the sinking of a boat carrying hundreds of asylum seekers off the Indonesian coast.