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Statement by Dr. Auguste R. Lindt, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, 3 November 1958
3 Nov 1958 1954-1958 figures used to deny the notion that refugee problems are insoluble
"The plain fact is that some 440,000 refugees have found permanent solutions for their problems in the past four years by means of emigration, voluntary repatriation and local integration"
Not all down to UNHCR of course, lists those others who have shared in this success
Divides refugee problems into the "stagnant" and the "dynamic"
Camp Clearance
Camp population in Europe example of the former
Problems associated with long-term residence in a camp
Figures for reduction in camp population 1957-1958
Far Eastern Programme
Joint ICEM/UNHCR 3-year programme
Funding crisis previous year partially resolved, for now
Wait for those remaining however still too long
Out-of-Camp Problem
As of mid=1957, 120,000 non-settled cases in Austria, France, West Germany, Greece, Italy and Turkey
Not enough funds to cope with all these, difficult to swallow need to prioritise
Special Refugee Problems
Italy in bad way economically, camp population there growing
Also issues in Greece, Middle East and Tunisia
Chinese refugees in Hong Kong not UNHCR mandate but of international concern, UNHCR helping
Hungarian Refugees
Of some 200,000 who left Hungary, none are left unsettled in Yugoslavia
However, Yugoslav government left with deficit of $3,600,000
15,900 remain in Austria, 5,900 in camps
Emigration arrangements pending for many of these, UNHCR integration programme to handle the rest
International Protection
Includes eligibility determination, travel and identity documents, right to work
Particular case of refugee seamen, and international Agreement that should help solve it
ExCom has approved more money for legal protection activities, and for a legal assistance programme
Emigration
Talks with governments on quotas for refugees in their immigration plans
Trend visible towards a more generous approach
World Refugee Year
Has been proposed -
Statement by Dr. Auguste R. Lindt, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at a luncheon meeting of the American Immigration Conference, 28 October 1958
28 Oct 1958 General introduction to current refugee problems and what UNHCR is trying to accomplish
Explanation of which refugees come under UNHCR mandate, and why
Two kinds of refugee problems: a) residue of earlier movements b) newer flows
Integration usually best for former, emigration sometimes better for latter
Hungarian exodus example of latter; almost all either emigrated or returned home
However, still 15,900 Hungarians in Austria, including 5,900 in official camps
UNHCR integration programme for these concentrates on housing and small loans, education
For older populations camps to be cleared (vocational training, small loans and housing, concentrating on families with handicapped persons and with children)
Excluding Hungarians, 20,000 new refugees entered Western European countries in 1957
120,000 non-settled refugees outside camps Europe calls for a series of annual programmes
But funding shortfalls mean that invidious choices between priorities have to be made
Another issue is Europeans (mainly White Russians) in China, 10,000 remain
Funding for Chinese in Hong Kong so far disappointing
Experience with Hungarians has sensitised some governments (including that of United States) to refugee issues
One result of this is increased support for family reunification
Future success will depend on sharing the refugee burden equitably between international community as a whole -
Statement of Dr. Auguste R. Lindt, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to the Ad Hoc Committee of the Whole Assembly, 27 October 1958
27 Oct 1958 This mostly about funding
1955-1958 UNHCR funding shortfall has been $1,500,000
In that time 46,000 refugees have benefited from UNHCR programmes
$5,700,000 needed for completion of camp programme by end-1960
Hungarian residual population
Europeans in China residual population
Emphasises need for reliable and early funding for programme planning
Total needs for 1959 programmes: $6,000,000 -
Statement by Dr. Auguste R. Lindt, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), 22 July 1958
22 Jul 1958 Increasing regimentation of modern life means more difficult for refugees to move around, get work, get rights
Important aspect of UNHCR's protection work is ensuring no undue pressure either for or against repatriation
Agreement reached on refugee seamen
Agreement reached at Council of Europe on refugee travel documents
UNHCR objective #1: "to solve as rapidly as possible any new refugee problem either through emigration, repatriation or integration in the country of residence"
UNHCR objective #2: "to concentrate on solving the residual problems of former refugee influxes and, for as long as the means at the disposal of my Office are inadequate, to determine priorities"
Refugee issues can be solved, look at Hungarians:
None now left in Yugoslavia (although government has had to spend far too much of its own money)
In Austria 17,500 remain, 7,000 are in camps, UNHCR programme dealing
Funding holding up operation for European refugees in transit in Hong Kong
Mid-1957 there were still 58,200 refugees in camps in Europe, plus 120,000 not in camps
Funding shortfalls meant that UNHCR had to prioritise, went for those in camps first
$5,900,000 still needed if camps to be cleared by end-1960 -
Statement by Dr. Auguste R. Lindt, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at the opening of the eighth session of the United Nations Refugee Fund (UNREF) Executive Committee on 2 June 1958
2 Jun 1958 Convention now ratified by 22 States
Importance of eligibility determination
Right to work and possibility of naturalisation key
Recession in some countries causing funding difficulties for UNHCR
Also affecting those refugees who had found employment
Hungarian refugees in Yugoslavia now almost entirely gone
Handicapped and other difficult cases still problematic (2,000 still in Austria)
Problem of refugees in transit in Hong Kong now near to an emergency because no funds
Asks Committee for its guidance on this
Results of report into the refugee population in Europe not in camps summarised
As of May 1958, UNREF funding $7,000,000 short
Some programmes therefore on hold
Budgets and requirements gone into in some detail
Reluctance to fix targets when funding is not ensured -
Nansen Medal Award Ceremony: Presentation Speech by Dr. Auguste R. Lindt, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, on the occasion of the award of the Nansen Medal for 1958 to Mr. David Hoggett
1 Jan 1958 Honour awarded for work with Hungarian refugees in Austria
David Hoggett paralysed from chest down after fall from roof of house he was building
Still active in UK United Nations Association
Thanks to voluntary agencies, without whom the work could never be done -
Nansen Medal Award Ceremony: Presentation Speech by Dr. Auguste R. Lindt, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, on the occasion of the special posthumous award to Mr. Pierre Jacobsen
1 Jan 1958 Pierre Jacobsen was Deputy Director of the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration
Was one of main architects of the internationally planned migration by IRO after WWII
Active also in Hungarian refugee crisis and for European refugees in China
Untimely death in a motor accident, widow received award -
Notes for the address of Dr. Auguste R. Lindt, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on 4 November 1957
4 Nov 1957 Third Committee
General remarks
The Hungarian refugee problem
The earlier refugees
Camp closure policy
Other questions
(Ian)
Protection includes freedom of choice for the refugee
199,000 Hungarians left over last year, 179,000 to Austria, 20,000 to Yugoslavia
40 countries worldwide offered places for 165,000
International financial assistance totalled over $20,000,000
Cost to Yugoslavia however much greater than cost to Austria
Some 13,400 Hungarians have gone home, 23,500 remain in Austria and Yugoslavia
UNHCR implementing integration programme for 5,000 in Austria
Success of this operation down to a) speed of response and b) international burden-sharing
Meanwhile there are 39,000 earlier refugees still in camps (plus many outside camps)
European refugees in China: since 1952 9,000 have been resettled
1,500 in transit in Hong Kong, funds available to transfer only 700 out
12,000 remain in China, including 1,000+ difficult cases
In Europe, priority #1 is clearing camps
There are camps in Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Turkey
Camp population details enumerated by country
Importance of family unity in emigration
Permanent solutions plan for integration of difficult cases
If finance is forthcoming, all 199 European camps could be closed by end 1960 -
Statement by Dr. Auguste R. Lindt, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to the fourth meeting of the United Nations Refugee Fund (UNREF) Executive Committee (in the 41st meeting), 6 June 1957
6 Jun 1957 Position statements on repatriation and unattached minors among Hungarian refugees
National sovereignty large in both
Previously announced arrangement with Red Cross for tracing not yet implemented