Statement by High Commissioner Guterres on Darfur-Chad situation
Statement by High Commissioner Guterres on Darfur-Chad situation
Statement by High Commissioner Guterres on Darfur-Chad situation
Geneva, Monday 17 April 2006
The following statement is attributable to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres:
"In the framework of our efforts to guarantee the protection of refugees from Sudan's Darfur region in Chad, I spoke with Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno on Sunday night and am pleased to report that he has reaffirmed that refugees will not be refouled (forcibly returned) and Chad will abide by international principles.
"President Deby expressed his understandable concern about the difficulties involved in providing security both to the refugees and to the humanitarian organisations that are helping them.
"UNHCR strongly appeals to the international community and its various organisations to do everything possible to urgently establish peace and security in Darfur, which is essential for the stability of the entire region. It is also essential to preserve the security of refugees and internally displaced people in Darfur and Chad, and potentially in other countries of the region as well."
