Statement from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, Regarding Solutions for the Residents of Camp New Iraq (Ashraf)
GENEVA - I want to express my deep appreciation for the tireless efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Mr. Martin Kobler, to reach an agreement with the Government of Iraq regarding a process for the voluntary relocation of the residents of Camp New Iraq (former Camp Ashraf).
UNHCR is fully engaged in this initiative and looks forward to the voluntary and peaceful transfer of the asylum seekers to a temporary site so that UNHCR can proceed immediately with the determination of their status in accordance with its mandate.
I wish to commend the Government of Iraq for extending the deadline for the closure of the camp and for agreeing to provide the necessary facilities with safety and security, so that the process of verification and adjudication can be conducted in a timely and appropriate manner.
I urge all sides to cooperate in good faith to ensure a peaceful process and I reiterate my appeal to the international community to contribute to the achievement of durable solutions for those recognized as refugees through offering resettlement places.
For further information on this topic, please contact:
- In Geneva, Leigh Foster, on mobile +41 79 557 9124
Related news and stories
Twelve years on, Syrian refugees face deepening debt and hunger
UN Refugee Agency warns of extreme hardship for forcibly displaced families this winter
Iraqi doctor provides care and comfort to Yazidi survivors
Iraqi doctor provides care and comfort to Yazidi survivors
Yazidi women box their way to recovery
The 'Boxing Sisters' of Rwanga IDP Camp in Duhok, Iraq
-
Statement of UNDP Opening by Mr. Achim STEINER
14 Dec 2021 -
Statement of Japan Spotlight session
14 Dec 2021 -
Statement of Turkey_ Ms. Fatma ŞAHİN (Turkish)
14 Dec 2021 -
Employment Pathways
-
Refugee women scale Atlas mountain to tackle gender violence
13 Dec 2021 An all-female group including 13 refugees from six countries set out to climb Mount Toubkal – Morocco's highest peak – to highlight the struggle to end violence against women. -
Rapid analysis on meaningful participation pledges
13 Dec 2021 The infographic provides an overview of pledges related to meaningful refugee participation submitted at the Global Refugee Forum. The analysis includes both pledges that have meaningful participation as a main objective and pledges that specifically mention the intention to involve persons of concern in implementing its activities. -
High-level Officials Meeting List of speakers
13 Dec 2021 List of speakers for the High-Level Officials Meeting (December 2021). -
Connected Education for Refugees: Addressing the Digital Divide
13 Dec 2021 UNHCR released the Connected Education For Refugees: Addressing the Digital Divide report that provides an overview of the current status and challenges faced by refugees in accessing digital learning opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also highlights the additional measures taken to extend access to refugee-hosting communities, putting forward recommendations on how to better design for more inclusive digital learning programmes that can benefit all learners. -
Operational Strategy for Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability 2022-2025
13 Dec 2021 This document explains UNHCR's plan of action to mitigate the impact of climate change on forcibly displaced people and their hosts, support their resilience and minimize the environmental footprint of humanitarian assistance. The strategy aims to improve the predictability of UNHCR's engagement in responding to emergencies brought on by climate-related and other natural hazards; incorporate climate and environmental considerations into responses; and improve the sustainability of the end-to-end supply chain.