kit-toprint 4/05/04 10:00 Page 1 ©UNHCR /N. Behring-Chisholm

a place to call home

Rebuilding lives in safety and dignity ©UNHCR/P.Benatar, 2002 ©UNHCR/L.Gubb, 1982 ©UNHCR/L.Astrom, 1985 W orld Day, 20 June A PLACE TO CALL HOME Rebuilding Lives in Safety and Dignity

Over the long course of human to find "durable solutions". It is this These are just some of the basic conflict, are a relatively last mission that provides the rights and services to which all modern phenomenon. It is really theme for this year’s World people, including refugees, are only in the last 100 years, when Refugee Day: "A place to call entitled, and which of course do the nature of warfare changed home – rebuilding lives in safety not come free. The costs mount from armies fighting each other and dignity" even higher when you add in literally on fields of battle, to items such as the supply of whole populations being devas- To come even close to our long- construction and agricultural tated by aerial bombing, artillery term goal requires an enormous "starter kits", home and small- and gas attacks, that the world effort, serious commitment, and business loan guarantees, and has witnessed masses of civilians inevitably, a lot of money. direct financial assistance to host fleeing their homes to seek refuge "Durable solutions" are not just counties to help them cover the elsewhere. about physically transporting cost of absorbing refugee refugees back to their home populations. Multiply these by In the 55 years since receiving its towns and villages, or persuading the 20-plus million uprooted charter, UNHCR has already helped other countries to accept them. people whom we are trying to a staggering 50 million people, Because according to our UN help find durable solutions, and uprooted by conflict and forced to mandate, no refugee under our the enormity of the commitment leave their homes, to restart their care may be forced to relocate or that is needed can seem over- lives. This horrific total does not even return against his or her will, or to whelming. Simply put, UNHCR include the millions displaced by the conditions which are unsafe or needs all the financial and two World . unsuitable. Therefore we have to material help it can get. work in a variety of ways to Some 20 million uprooted people create conditions that are In this information kit you will are still under UNHCR’s protection favourable to return, resettle- find a number of stories of today, and if you asked any one of ment or integration into other individual refugees who have them to name what they want societies. To do that a hundred successfully returned to their most of all, the answer would be and one things, which we more original homes, or integrated into almost sure to include the word fortunate people often take for the societies of the countries in "home" – to return home or to find a granted, first have to be put in which they sought refuge, or new one. Either way, "home", with place. To name just a few, there who have resettled in asylum all its implied associations of safety, needs to be: countries. Other articles provide warmth, neighbourliness, self- ● reasonable political stability; examples of how UNHCR has sufficiency and permanence, is ● a functioning social, legal and tackled the refugee crises their goal. It is ours too, and when physical infrastructure; created by various conflicts the last person under our care has ● guarantees of safety and non- around the worlds in the recent found a place to call home, we’ll discrimination; past. And there are also a dozen willingly take down the UNHCR ● freedom from -- background articles on UNHCR, sign, turn out the lights, and lock having to flee again for the its mandates, its initiatives and the door. same reasons; agendas, its mission, its statis- ● adequate food, water, sani- tics, and a glossary. All may be Of course we know that happy tation and medical services; quoted or reproduced freely, and day, if it ever arrives, will be a long guarantees of legal status and further information can be time coming. So in the meantime ● provision of proper docu- obtained by contacting local we stay very much in business, mentation; UNHCR offices or visiting continuing to pursue our three ● freedom of movement; www.unhcr.org. main missions: providing imme- ● removal of mines and un- diate relief in crisis situations; exploded ordnance; seeking ways to resolve differ- ● opportunities for work and ences before they affect civilian potential for self sufficiency; populations; and helping refugees ● language and skills education. AGENDA FOR PROTECTION

New impetus to the search for asylum-seekers and refugees, and Around 20 million refugees under durable solutions make it easier to implement the UNHCR care around the world are 1951 Convention and its 1967 desperately in need of timely and The year 2001 was the 50th Protocol. durable solutions; these depend anniversary of the founding largely on resolute and sustained instrument of international refugee The Agenda for Protection sets six international cooperation to resolve protection – the UN Convention important overall goals: refugee situations, some of which relating to the Status of Refugees. 1 Strengthen implementation of the have been allowed to drag on for Convention and its Protocol decades, and on support for the Rather than seeing it as cause for 2 Protect refugees within broader three durable solutions: voluntary celebration, some States had begun migration movements repatriation; local integration; and to criticize the 1951 Convention and 3 Improve the sharing of the resettlement. its Protocol of 1967 for not being responsibilities and burdens of adapted to a number of vexing protecting refugees among states Of the three solutions, it is generally challenges which had emerged over 4 Address security-related concerns recognized that voluntary repatriation the years, such as misuse of asylum more effectively in conditions of safety and dignity systems, the problems of "mixed" 5 Redouble the search for remains the preferred solution for movements of migrants and durable solutions for refugees refugees. Local integration is also refugees, the growth of human 6 Meet the protection needs of instrumental in resolving the plight of smuggling and trafficking, and a mix refugee women and children many refugees or groups of of "asylum fatigue" on the part of refugees; and resettlement is a some states hosting refugees and While all six goals are important to durable solution and a vital tool for "donor fatigue" on the part of others. the protection of refugees, the protection, while also serving as an search for durable solutions is of instrument of international solidarity Confident that a wide-ranging and particular concern, which is why it is and burden-sharing. participatory dialogue with all parties under the spotlight in this 2004 would clarify the issues and point the World Refugee Day. way forward, in December 2000 UNHCR set in motion the Global Consultations on International Protection. The aim was to revitalize the 1951 Convention framework, while better equipping countries to address the challenges in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation.

As part of the Global Consultations process, UNHCR organized the first ministerial-level gathering of countries party to the Convention and/or its Protocol in five decades. The 2001 Declaration of States Parties adopted there reaffirmed the Convention’s central role in assuring the protection of refugees and its enduring importance as the primary refugee protection treaty.

The Agenda for Protection is the program of action resulting from the the Global Consultations. It reflects a wide cross section of concerns and contains the concrete recommend-

ations of states, intergovernmental ©UNHCR/H.Kralj/12.1995 organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as Bosnian refugees in refugees themselves on activities to strengthen international protection of Redoubling the search for durable solutions: 8 key objectives

1. Realization of comprehensive durable solutions strategies, become naturalized citizens of the country of asylum, for refugees especially for protracted refugee situations who have already attained a considerable degree of socio- ● Review of all protracted refugee situations to explore the feasibility economic integration. of comprehensive plans of action (CPAs), considering each of the ● Contribute to local integration through burden-sharing to ensure three available durable solutions, to be implemented together with that the necessary resources are available to underpin self-reliance countries of origin, host countries, resettlement countries and and local integration. refugees themselves. 5. Expand resettlement opportunities 2. Improved conditions for voluntary repatriation ● Expand the number of countries offering resettlement. ● Countries of origin to commit themselves to respecting the right to ● Encourage states that do not yet offer resettlement opportunities return and to receiving back their refugees within an acceptable actively to consider making some resettlement places available. framework of physical, legal and material safety. ● Develop capacity-building programmes with new resettlement ● Countries of origin to foster reconciliation and dialogue, particularly countries. with refugee communities, and to ensure respect for the rule of law. ● States that offer resettlement opportunities to consider increasing ● States to provide support to countries of origin, to assist them in their resettlement quotas, diversifying their intake of refugee meeting their7responsibility to ensure the legal, physical and groups, and introducing more flexible resettlement criteria. material security of refugees. ● Ensure that resettlement runs in tandem with a more vigorous ● Facilitate the participation of refugees, including women, in peace integration policy, aimed at enabling refugees having durable and reconciliation processes to ensure the right to return, and to to residence status to enjoy equality of rights and opportunities in the encourage repatriation, reintegration and reconciliation. social, economic and cultural life of the country. ● Countries of origin and asylum to promote voluntary repatriation through tripartite agreements and measures facilitating decisions 6. More efficient use of resettlement both as a protection tool and on return, such as "go-and-see visits", information sessions involving as a durable solution exchanges between refugees and home-country officials, and ● Streamline the processing of applications for resettlement, with a similar confidence-building measures. stronger focus on protection needs. ● Ensure that gender and age-related issues particular to a repatriation or ● Explore the feasibility of establishing a central biometric registration reintegration programme are identified at an early stage and are system to support the identification of refugees in need of fully taken into account in the planning and implementation. resettlement. ● Make sure that both women and men are given an opportunity to ● Examine how to carry out earlier analysis of registration data to make a free and fully informed decision regarding return and to sign anticipate the resettlement needs and to process resettlement individually the Voluntary Repatriation Form. applications more rapidly, particularly in emergency situations. ● Give increased attention to gender-related protection needs in 3. Strengthened cooperation to make repatriation sustainable resettlement programmes, in addition to the women-at-risk category. ● Assist the process of reconciliation by ensuring that planning and ● Improve methods and mechanisms to minimize the potential for programming for repatriation include measures to encourage malfeasance and address corruption and fraud. reconciliation, through equal access to essential services and participation in public life for returnees, displaced persons and local 7. Achievement of self-reliance for refugees residents alike. ● Ensure that, from the outset, assistance programmes for refugees ● Make certain that planning for repatriation includes the early include strategies for self-reliance and empowerment, with UNHCR involvement of development partners to ensure the sustainability playing an active role in mobilizing financial and technical support. of repatriation and to facilitate UNHCR’s timely and seamless ● Introduce relief-substitution strategies that tap the resourcefulness phase out. and potential of refugee women, in an effort also to avoid the ● Adopt a community-based focus regarding investment in serious protection problems, including sexual and gender-based reintegration which benefits returnees as well as the local violence, which can result from over-dependency and idleness. population, and which accords sufficient priority to housing and ● Expand the possibilities for education, vocational training, and essential services, to increase absorption capacity and contribute to agricultural and other income-generating programmes and, in so reconciliation. doing, benefit men and women equitably. ● Take measures to ensure equal rights for returnee women in ● Ensure that refugees, particularly refugee women and adolescents, access to housing, property and land restitution. and host communities themselves, participate in the design and ● Give priority to ensuring that education possibilities are available to development of self-reliance programmes. returnees, and accredit education, vocational or other training ● Work with host countries on further developing integrated received while in exile. approaches that can strengthen the absorption capacity of refugee- hosting areas. 4. Local integration having its proper place as part of a comprehensive strategy for durable solutions 8. Rehabilitation of refugee-hosting areas in former host countries ● Promote a gender and age-sensitive community-development ● States, UNHCR and development partners to assess how they can approach to local integration that takes into account the needs of best promote and positively contribute to efforts of the international both the refugees and the local population. community to provide for the rehabilitation of refugee-hosting areas ● Examine where, when and how to promote the granting of secure in former countries of asylum. legal status and residence rights, including the opportunity to THE SEARCH FOR DURABLE SOLUTIONS

cons of each option. In the case of repatriation, for example, the UNHCR standards for voluntary repatriation foresee that the choice of destination is up to the individual or family, and that the authorities should not interfere with that choice. Indeed, to help them with their decision on return, arrangements may be made for them to preview the conditions that prevail through "go and see" visits, and to talk with the authorities from their country of origin through "come and talk" programmes.

Thus every individual or family is Ethiopia/Sheikh Sharif returnees reception camp

©UNHCR/L.Gubb 1982 strongly encouraged to make an Jijiga / Ogadew informed and free decision whether or not to accept one of the following: Refugees are unwilling pawns in need to be refugees, either a game over which they have no because they have been able to ● Voluntary repatriation to the control. For whatever reason – return home in safety and country of origin: in which usually persecution or conflict – dignity, or have successfully conditions that caused them they have been presented with integrated into their country of to flee have been reversed the stark choice of either facing refuge, or have put down roots and the situation has improved death and destruction or fleeing in a third country willing to sufficiently for them to regain their homes and communities. resettle them. their homes. Forced to accept the latter ● Local integration: in which option, they find themselves So, although the protection of refugees are able to put down uprooted and living in an alien refugees remains the mandate of roots in the country of asylum. and sometimes hostile UNHCR, our ultimate goal has ● Resettlement: in which environment that, while certainly always been to work for durable individuals, families and even safer than the one from which solutions so that refugees no communities are voluntarily they have escaped, cannot in any longer need our protection. In resettled into a new, third- way be thought of as "home". other words, to help them re- party country and are establish that most basic of integrated into its social fabric. Virtually by definition, therefore, human needs, a place to call the state of being a refugee is at home free of threats to life and Framework for best an interim solution. It is a liberty. Durable Solutions temporary response to an ‘‘We must invest in Through its acti- immediate problem that is in Of the 50 million finding durable sol- vities for refugees need of a durable solution – one persons displaced utions for the mil- and returnees, which is acceptable to the in the world for a lions of refugees UNHCR promotes refugees themselves, and range of reasons, and internally dis- international efforts accommodates their needs and 20 million are living in prevention, rights. But because this situation under the protec- placed Afghans, for conflict resolution must not be allowed to become tion of UNHCR. to invest in them is and peace building. a permanent one for either the For them, three to invest in the Humanitarian host country or the refugees, one main routes are future peace and actors such as of UNHCR’s main priorities is to open in finding a stability of the UNHCR have an find a satisfactory way to resolve durable solution, region.’’ Ruud Lubbers important role to the problem as expediently as all of them volun- ensure that solu- possible. Logically, the best tary – meaning tions are sustainable. solution is to create the condi- that every effort is made to make tions in which people no longer them fully aware of the pros and This, however, cannot be done preferred both by UNHCR and programmes and projects in effectively without an integrated most refugees. countries of origin." effort of humanitarian and development actors. The objective The 4Rs initiative In recent years he has placed of empowerment of refugees and "We came back because we renewed emphasis on the search returnees should therefore be heard there was peace and for durable solutions, making it the given due consideration by all. As a security. But there is no work and cornerstone of UNHCR’s mandate. result, the High Commissioner no place we can afford to live. In dealing with the return of issued the Framework for Durable We have freedom now, but we refugees, Lubbers has proposed Solutions for Refugees and cannot eat that." what he terms the "4Rs" – Persons of Concern in May 2003. Repatriation, Reintegration, This provides policy guidance on When refugees finally are able go Rehabilitation and Reconstruction sharing burdens and responsi- back home, they often return to a – which is aimed at helping to bilities more equitably, on building country gutted by conflict and bridge the gap between capacities to receive and protect ravaged by hate. Emotions can "humanitarian" and "development" refugees, and on redoubling the run high; their absence might be work – a distinction that has search for durable solutions. The judged as desertion, and they failed in the past to recognize the

After 20 years of civial , Angolan refugees ©UNHCR/S.Hopper, 2003 in the Democratic Republic of Congo line up to go home major components of the may still be the target of the transitional nature of the relief-to- Framework for Durable Solutions ethnic rivalries which erupted and development process. Humani- are: "DAR" – Development caused them to flee in the first tarian and development actors Assistance for Refugees – for place. Peace agreements are need to work more closely from protracted refugee situations; "4Rs" often developed without the the outset of an operation and – Repatriation, Reintegration, participation of the refugees -- during the crucial transitional Rehabilitation and Reconstruction – sometimes without even taking phase, and by proposing the 4Rs for voluntary repatriation; and, "DLI" their existence into account. As programme, Lubbers has sug- – Development through Local High Commissioner Ruud gested ways in which the UN Integration – for local integration. Lubbers puts it, "While returning system and the World Bank can home is one thing, staying home strengthen their cooperation and Voluntary repatriation can be quite another. That is why collaborate in developing the plan. Being able to return to their it is crucial that the international country of origin in safety and community work to ensure that dignity is widely recognized as refugee returns are sustainable the most desirable durable through large-scale post-war solution, and the one generally rehabilitation and reconstruction Local integration of labour and expertise, and by country of refuge. Resettlement is In some cases the conditions in the expanding the local consumer not a "solution of last resort" but a country of origin are so unstable, markets. Also, in a number of principal objective -- a tool of and hope of improvement in the developing countries with limited international protection and a foreseeable future remains so dim, resources, helping refugees to durable solution that strengthens that settling in the country of become self-sufficient has led to the principle of first asylum and asylum becomes a better option increased foreign aid and attracted helps solve long-standing refugee than repatriation. Indeed, some development projects that are problems in a spirit of international conflicts are so protracted that even benefiting the community as a whole. solidarity and responsibility-sharing. if conditions ultimately return to an acceptable level, many refugees In dealing with There are now have lived in the country of asylum the local integra- In 2004, the main resettlement 16 countries on for so long that they have no real tion of refugees, countries were: , most continents motivation to return as strangers in the High Com- Canada, Australia, Sweden, Norway, which offer re- their own lands. Often they have missioner has Finland, New Zealand and Denmark. settlement married into the local community, proposed what Eight new host countries are: places, and and already feel at home there, so he terms the Brazil, Chile, Benin, Burkina Faso, UNHCR has formal integration with full legal "DLI" or Develop- Ireland, Iceland, continued to rights enables them to cease being ment through and Spain. work to build refugees. Local Integra- their capacity to tion. DLI would be applied in accept refugees, to expand Local integration therefore remains protracted refugee situations where resettlement by fostering new an important durable solution in a the state opts to provide resettlement countries, and number of situations, although it opportunities for the gradual increase the number and quality of usually requires investment in integration of refugees. By soliciting resettlement places in existing public confidence-building. The additional development funds for countries. challenge is to maximize the po- durable solutions through local tential of refugees for local com- integration, better quality of life and Efforts are being made to promote munities, so that they are seen to self-reliance for refugees would be greater flexibility in accepting be a positive economic asset for the achieved along with improvements UNHCR’s resettlement criteria (see host country, and contribute to the in the quality of life for host box). This is especially crucial for development of localities and communities. refugees who have been in limbo regions. Particularly successful are for many years or have particular cases where self-sufficient refugees Resettlement protection needs were able to benefit hosts as a source Sometimes, UNHCR Resettlement criteria in the country of when refugees’ UNHCR states, in part, that asylum. Espe- lives are at risk, resettlement is geared primarily cially difficult to resettlement in to the special needs of refugees resettle are a safe country whose lives, liberty, safety or adolescent boys, is the only way other fundamental human rights and one recent to protect per- are at risk in the country where success was the secuted or the have sought refuge. The resettlement in endangered decision to resettle a refugee is the USA of a people. For normally taken when there is no group of some example, they alternative way to guarantee 2,000 youths may be denied his/her legal or physical security. who had come basic human to be known as rights in their country of refuge. the "lost boys" because of their Their lives may be threatened for repeated displacement in East Africa. racial, political or religious reasons, or by attacks directed from outside. Local authorities may be unable or Source: UN document A / AC.96 / 951 Note on International Protection, 13/09/2001 unwilling to provide adequate UNHCR Resettlement Handbook protection. Resettlement may also Refugees Magazine n°127, 2002, p.31 be used for survivors of torture, or for disabled, injured and severely traumatized refugees who are unable to obtain treatment in their ©UNHCR PREPARING THE GROUND:

MAKING SURE A SUCCESSFUL REPATRIATION STAYS SUCCESSFUL No refugee wants to stay a refugee. The majority of refugees under UNHCR protection would prefer to return to the homes and communities from which they were forced to flee, provided of course that the conditions that caused them to leave in the first place have been rectified, or at least abated sufficiently for them to feel safe enough to return voluntarily. So, from UNHCR’s perspective, the core of voluntary repatriation is return in and to conditions of physical, legal and material safety, leading to full restoration of national protection.

But even when peace has returned to their homeland, conditions may still be far from safe for returnees to resume their old lives. Violence, especially civil wars and other protracted political, ethnic and territorial conflicts, tend to leave both the land and government and social infrastructure devastated, so that the returnees must try to rebuild their lives in a landscape that is literally and metaphorically a minefield of unseen dangers. ©UNHCR /N. Behring-Chisholm A Congolese refugee in Pretoria, Before conditions can be deemed Republic of South Africa. ripe to accept the orderly and voluntary reintegration of a refugee population, and for a durable, self- of returnees must be assured by Evacuation to save lives sustaining solution to have a the authorities, and be supported UNHCR does not normally assist chance of success, a number of and monitored as necessary by the return to unsafe areas, and cannot physical, legal and economical international community. Following be involved in involuntary or forced conditions must be defined and the cessation of hostilities, an return. Only in cases where implemented. For reintegration to independent judiciary, and law security conditions in countries of be "sustainable" the ground needs enforcement that is compliant with asylum have become more to be carefully prepared. The core human rights, needs to be dangerous than the situation in the components of "return in safety established. country of origin, may UNHCR and with dignity", and UNHCR’s decide to assist the return in role in relation to these, are as Mines conditions which do not meet follows. The presence of mines and minimum standards of safety. This unexploded ordinance is the most then becomes an evacuation to PHYSICAL SAFETY widespread and frequent threat to save lives. In nearly all cases safety returnees, so de-mining and mine- considerations will be the first and awareness training programmes most serious concern. The safety are absolutely essential. Military involvement access to birth, marriage, adoption, necessary to enable returning In post-conflict situations, UNHCR divorce or death records -- as well as women to exercise property and often needs to liaise with military other documentation related to inheritance rights. forces, be they local regular or personal status, particularly if these irregular forces or UN peacekeepers. were issued by the country of Rebuilding the administration Interaction is most successful when asylum. UNHCR works to resolve In post-conflict situations, the basic based on a clear delineation of these problems, and also promotes administrative and judicial infrastruc- responsibilities between military and the issuance of identity documents ture is often dysfunctional, lacks humanitarian roles, capitalizing on and other documents from public resources and may have to over- the added security without records, as well as the recognition of come flawed procedures, discrimi- compromising the civilian nature of a equivalency of educational quali- natory legal actions and excessive humanitarian operation. Assistance fications. fees and taxation. UNHCR’s role can activities should only be undertaken involve setting up training by military personnel when Housing and property programmes for local judges and supervised by civilian aid workers. restitution lawyers, facilitating conflict-resolution Repatriation is likely to be less mechanisms, and providing material LEGAL SAFETY successful if refugees are not able to support for building administrative and Legal systems in countries of origin recover their houses and property. It judicial structures. UNHCR has often often need to be restored and/or is therefore important that housing, been instrumental in creating legal reformed. UNHCR traditionally property and land restitution issues advice centres to ensure returnees works towards removing legal and are addressed at an early stage. The have access to effective recourse in administrative barriers to return, and right to return is closely linked with case of problems upon their return. provides expert advice and technical support for the drafting of legislation related to citizenship, property, documentation and return.

Amnesty Drafting and enforcement of amnesty laws are most important at the early stages of repatriation and serve to encourage return. They exempt returnees from discrimi- nation or punishment for the sole fact of having fled the country, while also dealing with issues of military conscription, desertion, or service in other armed forces. UNHCR promotes the adoption of amnesties, except for war criminals.

Nationality ©UNHCR/L.Astrom, 1989 Only with an effective nationality can Returnees in Guatemala arrive at Quetzal village. individuals exercise their basic civil, political and economic rights. In the context of return, loss of nationality, the right to adequate housing, which MATERIAL SAFETY unclear nationality status, or changes in this context is understood to Material safety in the early phases in personal status through marriage mean the right not to be deprived of of return implies survival: access to are the most common problems property in the first place. Thus basic services such as potable faced by returnees. UNHCR works refugees have the right to recover water, health services and with states to resolve the problems the homes from which they fled or education. UNHCR thus aims first of stateless persons and to avoid were evicted. to increase the availability of basic new situations of statelessness from services in situations where they occurring. Compensation have collapsed, are of poor quality If restitution is not possible, the or are insufficient for large numbers Certification and registration right to adequate compensation for of returnees, and to ensure free Linked to nationality are questions any loss suffered should apply. access to available public services. of registration and documentation, Special efforts are sometimes Absorption capacity vulnerable returnees during an initial Reconciliation Premature returns to areas with little period through skills training, micro- Reconciliation is a key challenge in or no absorption capacity could lead financing and credit programmes. deeply divided communities, and can to competition for scarce resources rarely be achieved rapidly. While it is among returnees or between Where the majority of returnees are fundamentally an internal process returnees and local communities. rural, seeds, tools and some building between communities, it can benefit UNHCR’s voluntary repatriation materials can be provided by from international support, especially programmes necessarily take into UNHCR, while more ambitious where the people or their leaders are account the absorption capacity of development schemes are the task unable or unwilling to take the first the receiving location. of development partners. Recovery steps. UNHCR and others can assist of land or restitution of land rights for through measures promoting equity Self-reliance farming are also crucial to between displaced persons and local For return to be sustainable, promo- reestablishment of livelihoods. residents. ting self-reliance and reducing the need for continuing external support Jobs reinstatement Confidence building is crucial. Returnees generally require UNHCR may also facilitate the Structures and mechanisms which help to reintegrate through income- reinstatement of civil servants, promote co-existence are generating activities; UNHCR’s teachers, medical professionals and increasingly part of UNHCR’s assistance is limited to the most others into their former positions. programmes.

Malian returnees at a water point. ©UNHCR/C.Shirley, 1997 In general: In the country of asylum ‘‘Long-term durable ● Invite refugees, including ● Plan for the return by establishing solutions are with- women, to participate in peace a profile of the refugee out doubt the best negotiations. population (with information such ● Include references in peace as the villages of origin, age and investment that we agreements to the right to return gender breakdown, skills profiles, can make in peace and other standards relating to special requirements, etc.). and stability.’’ voluntary repatriation. ● Ensure a free and informed ● Work towards agreements on choice by providing accurate and Ruud Lubbers voluntary repatriation, and make objective information and access These include useful confidence- them operational. to counselling. building schemes such as arranging ● Develop, from the outset, ● Enable the participation of "go-and-see" visits prior to making a partnerships with other different age- and gender groups commitment to return, organizing multilateral and bilateral actors, in the decision-making process. inter-community bus lines, setting ranging from the local authorities ● Negotiate continued protection up community-based coexistence in the countries of asylum and and assistance for those projects, promoting women’s origin to NGOs. unwilling or unable to return. initiatives and face-to-face meetings. ● Ensure involvement of the local The documentation of past authorities and make use of local In the country of origin violations and abuses and local, capacities and resources. ● Undertake an analysis of the national or international structures ● Ensure free access by UNHCR obstacles to return. such as truth commissions, which to refugees and returnees at all ● Ensure that return is acceptable provide accountability for human stages of the voluntary to the country of origin, including rights violations, also increasingly repatriation process, including for the local authorities. attract international support. a period after return. ● Encourage the country of origin to ● Facilitate fair, expeditious, simple, promulgate amnesties and other Making it work: activities to transparent and non-discri- legal guarantees for returnees. implement voluntary repatriation minatory arrangements for the ● Establish a substantial UNHCR To summarize, UNHCR works both actual return. field presence to promote actions with the countries of asylum and ● Provide immediate material or required at the national and local origin to create an acceptable financial support to enable return levels to enable actual return in framework within which to and reestablishment during an safety; to organize "go-and-see" implement voluntary repatriation. initial phase. visits; to promote confidence- The following sets out activities building measures, including UNHCR pursues to this end. dialogue between community leaders and local authorities; to lobby for making conditions conducive to return; and to help to prevent security incidents directed against returnees, or at least to pursue an appropriately documen- ted follow-up with the authorities. ● Undertake systematic returnee monitoring to identify protection issues and assistance needs; to design appropriate protection and assistance interventions; and to collect relevant country of origin information for potential returnees, host countries and other actors. ● Ensure the inclusion of returnees and areas of return in national recovery and reconstruction plans.

Framework for Durable Solutions for May 2003 Resettled Vietnamese refugees enjoying their new ©UNHCR/L.Astrom, 1985 life in Sweden, A RETURNEE BILL OF RIGHTS:

There can be very few people left on this planet who, while not always benefiting from them, are not aware of the subject of human rights. Certainly the rights of the refugees who live under the protection of UNHCR have long been universally agreed by the signatory States of the 1951 Convention. But what of the rights of those who cease to be refugees, either because they have returned voluntarily to their original home countries, or have successfully integrated locally into the society of their host countries? Because they are no longer refugees, are their rights still recognized and protected?

Who is covered? The standards regularly set out in tripartite voluntary repatriation

agreements promise to protect the ©UUNHCR/R.Marshall, 1994 rights of "persons who are currently Vietnamese boat people make a stop at Hong outside the country and whose Kong’s Kai Tak airport before retunring to their return raises protection conside- home country. rations. They are referred to as ‘persons of concern to UNHCR’ or ‘returnees’, and comprise citizens, Voluntary repatriation agreements Freedom from Risk of former habitual residents and form a de facto Returnee Bill of Persecution, Unlawful former citizens who were arbitrarily Rights which is designed to cover all Detention and Discrimination deprived of their nationality". of the basic needs and rights of Refugees must be permitted to returnees. In essence, these include: return in safety, without risk of These standards are normally part persecution, unlawful detention or of agreements between the Right to return discrimination, particularly where country of origin, the host country All persons of concern to UNHCR this is due to their departure or on and UNHCR, also lays the ground- have the right freely to return to account of their status as refugees, work for a successful durable their country, either to their places political activities or affiliation, ethnic outcome by ensuring that "the of origin or former habitual origin or religious belief. return process will take place in residence or to any other place of safety and dignity, as well as in a their choice in the country of origin. Immunity from Prosecution phased, orderly and humane The authorities will consider an manner". In cases where return is Right to choose where to settle amnesty to encourage persons to impossible because conditions in The choice of destination is up to the return without fear of prosecution the country of origin are still individual or family, and the authorities or any punitive measures on unsatisfactory or dangerous, "the will not interfere with the returnees’ account of having left, and governments of host countries choice of destination. In particular, remained outside, their country of regularly agree that they will provide returnees should not have to move to origin. This obviously cannot cover an appropriate status for persons areas of insecurity or to areas lacking in crimes against peace, a , unable to return due to continued the basic infrastructure necessary to a crime against humanity, or acts international protection needs and reestablish livelihoods after return. contrary to the purposes and compelling humanitarian reasons." Situations should be avoided in which principles of the . returnees are forced into internal displacement or to accommodation whose ownership or occupancy is disputed. that families are repatriated as units, and that involuntary sepa- ration is avoided. Where such efforts fail, a mechanism will be established for their reunification, be it in the host country or in the country of origin, in accordance with national law in the countries concerned.

Access to Basic Services With the support of UN and other organizations, steps will be taken to improve the non-discriminatory availability of basic services such as Southern Sudanese Refugees in Bonga Camp, UNHCR/N.Behring food, potable water, shelter, health western Ethiopia: food distribution care and education.

Recognition of Academic and Restitution of Property or stateless persons is growing as Vocational Skills Compensation governments become more reluctant To facilitate reintegration, the Returnees have the right to have to ‘welcome’ refugees. Effectively, authorities will recognize academic any property restored which was they are outcasts from the global and vocational skills diplomas, illegally or arbitrarily taken from political system. Not recognized by any certificates or degrees acquired by them. They have the right to resti- state as citizens, they are trapped in a returnees while abroad. tution, and where property cannot legal limbo, with no access to such be restored must be justly and basic rights as health, education and Special Needs and Vulnerable fairly compensated. This right in- political choice. Persons cludes returning women whose Special measures will be taken to husbands have died or are missing, For refugees, especially those ensure that vulnerable groups alternative housing or land should returning to their origins in what in receive adequate protection, also be made available for current the meantime have become newly- assistance and care throughout the occupants of refugee property who created states, exclusion from legal repatriation and reintegration are equally affected by displacement identity and statelessness must be process. In particular unaccom- or who have no place to return to. avoided. It is their right to expect that panied or separated minors should any nationality disputes will be resol- not be returned before family Registration and ved on returnees’ arrival, and every members have been traced, or Documentation effort will be made to before specific and adequate The authorities will ‘‘I was seven when accord them an appro- reception and care arrangements recognize the legal I fled. I can’t even priate legal status. have been put in place. status of returnees remember any- and any changes Naturalization Unhindered Access to and by that have occurred thing about my Spouses and chil- own village. But I UNHCR (such as births, dren of returnees UNHCR will be given free and deaths, adoptions, will be proud when who are citizens of unhindered access to all marriages and di- I return there.’’ other countries will returnees, be they still in host vorces) and any be permitted to countries or in the country of documentation issued by valid enter and remain in the country of origin. The authorities will allow institutions in the country of origin or origin. This will also apply to UNHCR to monitor the treatment elsewhere. widowed spouses and children of of returnees in accordance with nationals who may wish to enter or international standards. The Statelessness remain in the country of origin. The authorities will inform UNHCR of The Universal Declaration of authorities will consider favourably any arrests, detentions and penal Human Rights declares that their naturalization and visas will be proceedings involving returnees; "Everyone has the right to a issued without delay. they will make available relevant nationality." But in an era of in- documentation and permit staff creasing ethnic tension and mass Family Unity prompt and unhindered access to migration of people, the number of Every effort will be made to ensure such returnees. THE 4RS PROGRAMME

The Old Believers from North China arrive in ©UNHCR Hong Kong on their way for resettlement in Brazil.

The 4Rs programme is intended rights of returnees, improved social In the past, the needs of to serve as an overall frame- services and infrastructure, economic returnees have often not been work for institutional collaboration revival and livelihood creation, and incorporated in the transition in the implementation of improved access to services. and recovery plans by the reintegration operations in post- governments concerned, the conflict situations. It is designed Why the 4Rs approach is needed donor community and even the to allow maximum flexibility for Following the initial reinsertion UN system. Returnees rarely field operations to pursue operation and its associated feature in national development country-specific approaches. emergency-type assistance, the plans, and development pro- subsequent process of rein- jects are often undertaken For millions of refugees, voluntary tegration and longer-term recon- without giving thought to the repatriation and reintegration struction usually does not occur useful and productive capacities remains the most preferred durable in a seamless fashion. In the of returnees. Rather than being solution to their plight, and a key politically fragile environment thought of as an economic priority for the international com- which is characteristic of post- burden, these populations munity is to engineer a smooth conflict situations, returnees are should be seen as human transition from the initial emergency often left in a deprived condi- capital that can contribute to the relief stage to longer-term develop- tion for extended periods with- recovery process by becoming ment. The 4Rs programme aims to out the means to productive members achieve this through the related provide for them- ‘‘we want... not of the society. processes of repatriation, reinte- selves and with only repatriation Indeed, ignoring gration, rehabilitation and recon- few opportunities but re-integration their ability to struction. It links all four processes to carve out a contribute to the to reduce poverty and to make better future. Living and link it with country’s rebuilding possible the durable solutions that in idleness creates rehabilitation and efforts is little refugees so desperately need. This despair, which in reconstruction.’’ more than the integrated approach would also turn breeds violence frivolous waste of Ruud Lubbers encourage a number of desired (especially against a valuable resource. outcomes. These include good women) and also criminality, and local governance, protection of the encourages exploitation. Another problem that occurs reinsertion and reintegration of agreed at their focal points when reintegration is not returnees, and of course meeting in New York on 12 sustainable is the phenomenon UNHCR would put its extensive September 2002 to test the of back-flows, in which re- human resources and field practicalities and pitfalls in real turnees, choosing the lesser of experience at the disposal of the situations in order to establish two evils, opt to go back to their other agencies such as World "Rules for Engagement" and to country of asylum rather than Bank, World Food Programme, develop clear benchmarks continue to struggle fruitlessly in UNICEF etc. Interfacing with against which to measure their own country. receiving communities and progress. Eritrea, Sierra Leone, officials, as well as other Sri Lanka and Afghanistan were UNHCR’s role development agencies, would be selected as pilot countries in The programme envisages coordinated by UNDP as part of which to launch the initiative, UNHCR taking the lead on repatriation, while the lead on reintegration, rehabilitation and reconstruction would be agreed upon by the UN Country Team and the World Bank. The planning and implementation of 4Rs programmes would take place in an integrated manner, with strong engagement by the UN Country Team, particularly UNDP, UNICEF, WFP and UNHCR, as well as bilateral and multilateral donors. The government would show its strong commitment, and assume ownership of the entire process.

In its initial role, UNHCR would focus on support activities that facilitate the early reintegration or reinsertion of returnees. These include monitoring protection agreements, providing for the repair or reconstruction of family shelters, supporting small- scale micro-credit schemes and other productive activities, and helping restore essential water, educational and health services in returnee communities. This first ©UNHCR /N. Behring-Chisholm "R" would also serve as a Liberians refugees in Largo camp, Sierra Leone. framework for the co-ordinated phasing out of UNHCR, and the phasing in of the development agencies. the third "R", rehabilitation, while and so far are successfully the fourth "R", reconstruction, demonstrating the value of the In the case of the remaining would be the responsibility of the 4Rs approach. three "Rs", reintegration would development funding specialists, Framework for Durable Solutions for continue to involve UNHCR in a World Bank and UNDP. Refugees and Persons of Concern May 2003 joint leading role, together with UNDP. While development Already a practical reality programmes are under way, Having wholeheartedly approved UNHCR’s areas of concern the 4Rs initiative, the World would be limited to the initial Bank, UNDP and UNHCR DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FOR REFUGEES

Internally displaced Chechens in tented camp A, Sunzhenski district.. ©UNHCR/T.Makeeva

The road to self-reliance in the host country in helping and shelter creates what is called In the search for durable solutions, refugees still on their territory "dependency syndrome" which it is clear that the more returning become self-reliant. Unless they becomes more entrenched as refugees can be encouraged to are able to be integrated locally, time goes by. stand on their own feet and cease refugees are often seen as second- to be dependent on outside class citizens because they are not Refugees as assets support, the greater the chances of part of the government’s con- But refugees are in reality no success, and the more durable that stituency and do not figure in its different from any other segment solution is likely to be. If some development plans. Also, as they of society. They have the same headway can be made towards tend to be located in remote areas, talents and abilities, the same self-reliance while they are still they are a classic case of "out of ambitions, the same potential for refugees in the host countries, so sight, out of mind", both for the achievement and independence. much the better. But simply government and for the develop- The difference is that these have providing more money is no ment agencies who must toe the been suppressed by the traumatic answer, and it is also clear that a government line. They are simply events that forced them into the carefully worked-out programme no longer a priority. confinement of a refugee camp in that takes into account a host of a foreign land. practical, psychological and Dependency economic factors is needed. In protracted situations, some of Given this potential, there is no which may last for years or even doubt that refugees, with the right Out of sight…out of mind decades, the problem becomes kind of assistance, can actually Because most of the countries progressively worse: the constant contribute to their host society. with large refugee populations are presence of these uninvited foreign They have courage, determination, poor (over 60% of the people communities tends to irritate the and the will, not just to survive, but under UNHCR’s protection are in local population, and even build up to thrive. Women in particular developing countries, and half of resentment to the point that it can show great resilience and those are in the 49 poorest create instability in the host astonishing survival skills. nations), one of the biggest hurdles country. Perhaps even worse, the to be overcome is the sheer lack of years of soul-destroying inactivity interest on the part of the authorities and total reliance on others for food With proper support, such as right to The DAR initiative The DLI programme freedom of movement, access to In order to provide refugees with A related programme was also education, skills training and income- the skills and means to achieve proposed by UNHCR at the same generating activities, refugees can early self-reliance, in 2003 UNHCR time. Named Development attain a degree of self-reliance which proposed an initiative called through Local Integration (DLI), it is will make them less dependent on Development Assistance for designed to solicit additional humanitarian assistance and even Refugees, or DAR for short., This is development assistance with the enable them to start contributing to a broad-based partnership involving aim of attaining a durable solution the economic development of their governments, development agencies, via the local integration option. host country. In short, to a host humanitarian organizations and Central to the success of this country, the presence of such a pool others, and absolutely key to its strategy is the attitude of the host of potential talent and productivity success is the commitment of local government and the local should be looked on as a valuable governments. The programme’s authorities. DLI therefore builds on asset and a tool for development. main objectives are: DAR, and is an option and not an obligation of a refugee hosting Returning or resettling equipped ● To better share the burden for country. Equally important to the with hope and skills countries hosting large numbers success of DLI strategy is the Once they have made the journey of refugees: They are increasingly commitment on the part of the back home to their country of critical of the support they receive donor community to provide origin, returnees cannot expect the to deal with the situation, and additional assistance. same level of assistance as before. want to be helped in a more Often their country is in the throes significant and effective way. As with DAR, the DLI approach of post-conflict reconstruction, and envisions broad-based partnerships the problems of the returnees ● To better equip refugees to meet between governments, humani- must take a back seat to the much the challenges of reintegration into tarian, and both multi-and bilateral larger one of rebuilding an entire their own country, integration in development agencies. The mix of country and its socio-economic the country hosting them, or partnerships may vary from structures. Obviously any skills resettlement into another country. country to country, but an invariable they may have acquired prior to and essential component will be their return will speed up the ● To reduce resentment by the commitment of the relevant reintegration process. Or if they are improving the quality of life of the host government and its related being resettled in a third country, local people, most of whom live in central and local authorities for the their potential for early self- remote and impoverished areas, local integration of refugees. sufficiency will make them more and who often see refugees easily accepted by the local receiving more than they DLI would be applied in protracted community and more swiftly themselves have. refugee situations where the state integrated into it. opts to provide opportunities for the gradual integration of refugees. By soliciting additional develop- ment funds for durable solutions through local integration, better quality of life and self-reliance for refugees would be achieved along with improvements in the quality of life for host communities

While it is obviously too early to report on the results of the DAR and DLI initiatives, they have been enthusiastically received by all the interested parties, and early indications are very positive.

Framework for Durable Solutions for Refugees and Persons of Concern May 2003

Food distribution: tribal ceremony. ©UNHCR/N.Behring OPERATIONS ©UNHCR/N.Behring/02.2003 CENTRAL AMERICA

Background The civil conflicts that engulfed El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua in the 1970s and 1980s forced more than two million people to flee their homes. Of those who crossed international borders, fewer than 150,000 were officially recognized as refugees by host governments in the region, and they found only relative safety in the countries to which they fled. Host governments became increasingly concerned about large refugee populations which could not easily be integrated and which they regarded as security threats. They were therefore eager for repatriation to take place.

In 1989, as the Cold War ended, ©UNHCR/A.Aarhus, 1987 external powers which had been Returning Salvadorian refugees en route to involved in these conflicts— Vucetas, in Chalatenango Province. particularly the United States— were persuaded to support regional peace efforts. In addition, a number groups. Paying scant regard to the in Mexico also repatriated in of initiatives taken by the refugees ongoing conflict, they settled in organized groups. This time the themselves helped to build peace in places of their own choice, despite conditions of their return were the region. First in El Salvador in the questionable claims to the land. negotiated with both the late 1980s, and then in Guatemala Since their safety could not be Guatemalan government and in the early 1990s, refugees began guaranteed, UNHCR was not willing UNHCR, though the success of organizing large-scale returns at that stage to promote or facilitate the operation was somewhat without waiting for official peace the repatriation. Nevertheless, by the inhibited by the shortage of agreements to be signed. mid-1990s all of the registered available fertile land. Still, the Salvadoran refugees in neighbouring assistance provided by UNHCR to El Salvador countries—some 32,000—had the Guatemalan refugees was Before the conclusion of the UN- repatriated. extremely high compared with brokered negotiations to end the other repatriation programmes. conflict, Salvadoran refugees in Guatemala Significant efforts were put into Honduras announced that they Following the Salvadoran example, a working with refugee women and would begin returning in organized number of Guatemalan refugees encouraging their participation in the community, and the programme to assist returnees in recovering identity papers and other personal documentation successfully built upon UNHCR’s earlier experience in El Salvador.

Between 1984 and June 1999, when the UNHCR-assisted repatriation programme ended, some 42,000 refugees repatriated from Mexico, while a further 22,000, about half of whom were born there, accepted the Mexican government’s offer to settle permanently. Nicaragua peace and development should go comprehensive manner than ever Only after the 1990 electoral defeat of hand in hand, and sought a before. And it marked the first time the ruling Sandinista government and comprehensive plan for regional that UNHCR and UNDP had worked the return of peace did large-scale reconstruction. Donors decided to closely together over a long period in repatriation take channel funds through the design and implementation of place, when most of ‘‘Refugees are not UNHCR and UNDP, programmes. the 72,000 refugees, simply the bene- and to implement a 350,000 internally ficiaries of human- range of projects Quick impact projects displaced people and itarian aid. They are targeting all the war- Of the several CIREFCA initiatives, 30,000 former com- affected groups. It the most innovative and influential in batants returned to potential contri- was agreed that future repatriation operations were their homes. This butors to develop- funds should be used the quick impact projects, which was significantly ment - both in their not to assist individual were first implemented on a large different from the countries of asylum returnee families, but scale in Nicaragua. Mostly micro- Salvadoran and Gua- and upon their to support entire projects, they often involved the temalan returns, return home.’’ communities and rehabilitation of clinics, schools and which began before affected areas. This water systems, or aimed at creating formal peace agree- Ruud Lubbers initiative became income-generating opportunities. ments had been concluded, and known as the CIREFCA process, and They required a modest injection of which led UNHCR to define more until the end of 1994, it involved funds and a great deal of community clearly its policies on when to coordinated national, regional and involvement; they addressed urgent promote and when to facilitate international action to achieve lasting needs identified by community voluntary repatriation. solutions to the problems of members, and were carried out in displacement in the region. Strongly communities with large numbers of Reconstruction: supported by donors, local political recent returnees. They encouraged The CIREFCA process leaders promised to link solutions for people to share ideas, skills and The International Conference on refugees, returnees and internally resources, and helped reduce Central American Refugees or displaced people to national dialogue tensions between former CIREFCA was held in Guatemala City and reconciliation. adversaries. Ultimately, these projects in May 1989. It constitutes a miles- were seen not only as innovative but tone in the search for durable solutions The CIREFCA framework proved to also as essential to successful to the problem of refugees, returnees be one of the most important reintegration and reconciliation. and displaced persons in the region. innovations to come from the Indeed, the 56 participating States region. It promoted community-level Lessons learned adopted a three-year Concerted Plan projects, consensus-building among In Central America it became of Action, through which well over regional leaders, communication increasingly clear to UNHCR and US$ 300 million were channeled for between governments and NGOs, other humanitarian organizations projects promoting security, local and and communication among the that peace and development in productive infrastructure and self- many different NGOs in the region. It post-conflict situations cannot be sufficiency. At these UN-led also enabled UNHCR to address the achieved solely by initiating modest, negotiations, political leaders and needs of returning refugees and short-term projects for vulnerable groups insisted that displaced people in a more groups. Nor can such projects address the structural problems that often give rise to conflicts in the first place. Efforts to achieve sustainable reintegration in the region continue to this day, and the lasting impact of the CIREFCA process remains evident in the strength and effectiveness of community groups and local NGOs throughout Central America. The success of the innovative quick impact projects led to them being subsequently put into practice in Cambodia, Mozambique and other returnee situations. Former Guatemalan refugees in Mexico receive land ©UNHCR/M.Echandi, 2002 titles in a ceremony in Maya Balam, Quintana Roo. State of the World’s Refugees, 2000; UNHCR Global Report 2002 THE NAMIBIAN REPATRIATION

The background Namibia’s independence in 1990 was directly related to the end of apartheid in South Africa and of the Cold War. Formerly South West Africa, it has been controlled by South Africa since the end of the First World War. In 1966, the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO) began an armed struggle for independence. In 1978 a UN resolution, linked to finding a solution to the civil war in neighbouring Angola, called for the territory’s independence following UN- monitored elections. Ten years later, South Africa, Angola and Cuba finally agreed to implement the resolution and withdraw the Cuban troops who had been involved in the civil war in Angola.

From the start, the UN considered that the return and peaceful reintegration of the Namibian refugees was a prerequisite for elections and for the successful transformation of Namibia into an independent, democratic country, and in less than a year, over 43,000 Namibians returned home from Zambia, Angola and other countries.

UNHCR’s role UNHCR first had to hold long and difficult negotiations with South Africa to secure an amnesty for all return- with them a variety of professional available, but donors were reluctant ees. They were then transported by skills which eventually helped to build and few projects were put in place. air and via three land entry points, and a stable and modestly prosperous Although the operation was ultimately taken to five new reception centres, new nation. successful, perhaps the withdrawal where they were registered and occurred too soon, and in subsequent given food, clothing, health care and repatriation operations UNHCR’s basic household necessities. Finally Lessons learned involvement in assisting the they were transported to their home In this case UNHCR limited its reintegration of the returnees was to destinations, primarily in the north of assistance to immediate food and be much greater. the country. material needs, and withdrew most of its staff after the returning Source: State of the World’s Refugees By deciding to use expensive air refugees had been accompanied to transport to make up for the lengthy their destinations and amnesty delays (for which it was criticized), issues had been resolved. However, UNHCR did achieve the goal of one year later a UN-led mission safely repatriating almost all the found that the returnees en- refugees in time for the elections and countered serious difficulties in the subsequent creation of Namibia’s achieving economic integration: they first independent government. Some could not easily find jobs nor become had received advanced education self reliant. The mission recom- while abroad, and they brought back mended that assistance be made THE CAMBODIAN REPATRIATION

A northern transit center for returning ©UNHCR/J.Bleibtreu, 1993 Cambodians.

The 1991 Cambodian peace accords the arrival of UNTAC, and had Mud and mines were good example of the dramatic opened an office in the Cambodian Between March 1992 and April shift in geopolitics that followed the capital, Phnom Penh, as far back as 1993, more than 360,000 refugees end of the Cold War. Vietnamese 1980. In 1989, as the political returned to Cambodia, the over- forces withdrew as Soviet assis- situation started to improve, whelming majority from Thailand. tance to Viet Nam dried up. Regional UNHCR had started planning for The operation was a logistically leaders sought an end to conflict, repatriation. Following the prece- complicated and costly one, given and the four armed factions involved dent set in Namibia, the peace the devastated infrastructure, the in the Cambodian fighting agreed to agreements anticipated that the absence of reliable data about con- cooperate. The Paris Peace Agree- refugees would return to Cambodia ditions in the countryside, continuing ments of October 1991 agreed to from the camps on the Thai border distrust among the different political give the UN Transitional Authority in in time to participate in the national factions, and frequent Cambodia (UNTAC) responsibility for elections in May 1993. violations. In addition, the monsoon overseeing Cambodia’s transition to rains transformed many of the roads democracy. UNTAC faced enor- In fact the repatriation took place used in the repatriation operation into mous challenges. After 22 years of much more quickly than had been mud baths. war, the country’s infrastructure had expected. Repatriation routes, been all but completely destroyed. reception centres and resettlement A particular problem concerned the Most of the people with the skills areas were established, though at huge number of land mines and un- needed to rebuild the country had first the work had to be carried out exploded ordnance in the country. either been killed or had fled. on an ad hoc and emergency basis De-mining and mine awareness with whatever resources were operations were slow to be set up Repatriation as part of the available. But UNHCR’s presence in and landmines remained a constant peace plan the country before the peace threat. As one UNHCR represen- It was agreed that the refugees’ accords enabled it to play an tative said: "The only de-mining going return was essential to the success important role during this initial on is when people tread on them." of the peace agreements and the period. Indeed, even when the de-mining impending national elections. operations got under way, there was UNHCR had already been in evidence that mines were being laid Cambodia helping to resettle faster than they were being spontaneous returnees well before removed. By the May 1993 elections around developed and there were only were repatriated before the elections 15,000 mines and other unexploded minimal local administrative and of 1993, the UN failed to achieve one ordnance had been cleared, out of social structures in place. of its principal objectives: the over eight million mines estimated to disarming and demobilization of the be scattered around the country. Access to land military factions. The Khmer Rouge, Initially, the refugees in the Thai which had led the genocidal regime Another problem was that some of camps were told that they could of the 1970s, withdrew from the the border camps were still under the select destinations in rural areas, and demobilization agreements and control of the Khmer Rouge, and that they would receive two hec- remained in armed strongholds. UNHCR had difficulty monitoring the tares of arable land. But initial assess- Sporadic fighting between gover- situation of returnees in the zones ments of available land proved nment forces and the Khmer Rouge controlled by them. Guarantees were unreliable, not least because of the took place throughout the period of sought from the Cambodian autho- large number of landmines. UNHCR UNTAC’s presence in Cambodia, rities that they would not carry out eventually concluded that there was resulting in the renewed displace- reprisals against people returning from simply not enough suitable land in ment of several thousand people, camps known to have been used as the country for its plan to be viable, many of whom were recent retur- bases for attacks on government so the returnees were presented nees. Despite this, the May 1993 forces; as it turned out there were few instead with several new options: elections were remarkably free of incidents of harassment of returnees. they could receive agricultural land violence, and UNHCR began scaling but not necessarily in their area of down its operations soon after. Quick-impact projects choice, or get a cash grant and other From June 1992, UNHCR began to material assistance. In the end, about More recently, UNHCR has been implement a number of quick impact 85 per cent of Cambodian families compelled for security reasons to projects, and by the end of 1994 had chose the cash grant, a food alloc- withdraw from a tripartite agreement provided US$9.5 million for around ation and a household/ agricultural kit. with Cambodia and Viet Nam 80 projects, including the repair of Instead of flocking to the cities, as concerning the Montagnard refugees, roads, bridges, hospitals, dispens- had been feared, most of those although in 2003 the Cambodian aries and schools. But these com- opting for cash settled with surviving authorities eventually permitted some munity-based projects proved far relatives, largely in rural areas. 900 of them to resettle in the US. more difficult to put into operation than in Central America, as local Failure to disarm State of the Word’s Refugees Global report 2002 NGOs in Cambodia were far less Although virtually all of the refugees THE MOZAMBICAN REPATRIATION

Two recently repatriated sisters in Mozambique ©UNHCR/T.Bolstad, 1993 build a new house and a new life in Villa Nova, Tete Provence

Background Repatriation from six countries Repatriation, reconciliation In 1975, following several years of The repatriation operation was and reconstruction armed rebellion against Portuguese implemented in six countries where The reintegration programmes carried rule, Mozambican independence 1.7 million Mozambican refugees out by UNHCR and other international was finally achieved. But fighting were hosted. Malawi alone had agencies were even more ambitious soon flared up again, this time accommodated some 1.3 million than those in Central America and between the governing Frelimo since early the 1980s while some Cambodia, and around US$100 faction and the opposition Renamo 400,000 lived in South Africa, million was spent. Unlike Cambodia, forces. But a severe drought that Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and almost all fighting ended after the began in 1992 made it impossible for Zimbabwe. peace accords were signed, and ulti- the two sides to continue to support mately the cooperation of all parties their armies, and eventually it was As in Central America, the refugees was secured. Demobilization was poverty that finally drove the parties began repatriating spontaneously relatively smooth, and only few secu- to the negotiating table. A Peace even before the peace agreement rity incidents were reported, even Agreement was signed in October was signed, especially from Malawi, where supporters of both sides had 1992, bringing to an end more than where most refugees had easy settled. The peace agreement pro- three decades of armed conflict in access to their country from the vided for a general amnesty and did not Mozambique, and triggering a large- camps. The vast majority of the seek to punish war crimes commit- scale return of refugees to that refugees returned to Mozambique ted against the civilian population. country. Much of the infrastructure well before the elections which were Communities employed their own had by that time been destroyed, held in October 1994. traditional means to seek justice and and more than a third of the reconciliation. population had been uprooted at least once. Over 1.7 million people had sought refuge in neighbouring countries, and some four million had been internally displaced. Inter-agency cooperation UNHCR, UNDP and the World Bank worked closely together to design and implement complementary programmes. UNHCR also collabora- ted with UN mine clearance opera- tions but, because of slow progress, the agency had to shift its focus to promoting mine awareness. Inter- national organizations, including UNHCR, assisted with the repair and rehabilitation of schools, clinics, wells, roads and other infrastructure throughout the country. More than 1,500 quick impact projects were initiated which, as they had in Central America, further helped to stabilize and strengthen communities that had been torn apart during the war. ©UNHCR /N. Behring-Chisholm

Finding durable solutions through of renewed fighting and further Namibia in 1989 and Mozambique in peace-building refugee flight depended largely on 1993–94, UNHCR’s role in repatriation During the 1990s, it became efforts to create durable peace. To operations changed profoundly. increasingly clear that the prevention this end, in the few years between Previously the main purpose of the organization’s involvement was to ensure that refugees returned safely. But the repatriation operations in Central America, Cambodia and Mozambique involved a new and broader approach, in which UNHCR began to play a major role in UN peace-building operations. Humani- tarian activities were integrated into a wider strategic and political framework aimed at ensuring reconciliation, reintegration and reconstruction.

It is clear that these efforts need to be sustained over time if they are to be effective in helping societies overcome the animosities, trauma and despair engendered by years of war and exile. But achieving these goals requires major funding, and in recent years it has been difficult to gain the needed donors’ support, especially in countries of lesser strategic importance or whose problems have been overshadowed by more recent crises.

State of the World’s Refugees THE

A HISTORY OF VIOLENT NATIONALISM AND ETHNIC HATRED.

In June 1991, and Croatia both declared independence from Yugoslavia, starting the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Fighting first broke out in Slovenia, but was limited and lasted only a few days. The first major outbreak of violence occurred in Croatia, which had a minority population of over half a million . Following Croatia’s declaration of independence, the Yugoslav army and Serb para- militaries rapidly seized control of a third of its territory. At first, thou- sands of were expelled from areas which fell under Serb control. ©UNHCR/S. Ashikaga/10.1994 Subsequently, thousands of Serbs were forced from their homes by Bosnian refugees in the UN Protected Area West in Croatian forces. Then in 1992, the Croatia. war spread to neighbouring , with even more devastating consequences. authorities requested UNHCR’s was powerless to prevent the killings, assistance. UNHCR set up relief beatings, rapes, detentions, ex- When Bosnia and Herzegovina operations in all the republics of the pulsions and evictions of civilians. declared independence in March former Yugoslavia, but the organi- In many situations, the most 1992, the government of , led zation faced its greatest challenges UNHCR personnel could do was to by President Slobodan Milosevic, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In May report the atrocities they witnessed. vowed to fight on behalf of the 1992, UNHCR began delivering UNHCR resisted evacuating Serb minority population living thousands of tons of relief supplies civilians, but as it became apparent there. By the end of April 1992, 95 by air to , and by road to that the alternative for many was per cent of the Muslim and Croat destinations throughout the detention camps where they were populations in the major towns and country. Unable to agree on how often beaten, raped, tortured or cities of eastern Bosnia had been to end the conflict, the international killed, the organization began forced from their homes, and community focused much of its evacuating civilians whose lives Sarajevo was under daily bombing. energy on supporting the humani- were under threat. Such evacua- By mid-June, Serb forces con- itarian relief operation led by tions, however, led to an outpouring trolled two-thirds of Bosnia and UNHCR. Governments offered of criticism that UNHCR was Herzegovina, and approximately large amounts of funding for the facilitating ‘’. one million people had fled their relief operation, but were able to UNHCR urged states in the region, homes. Bosnian Croat forces, find a consensus on little else. The and in Western Europe, to grant backed by Croatia, attempted to humanitarian operation increasingly ‘temporary protection’ to the create an ethnically pure swathe of became a ‘fig leaf’, and the only substantial numbers of people territory adjoining Croatia. By the visible response of the international escaping from the escalating war time the war ended in December community to the war. in the former Yugoslavia. 1995, over half the 4.4 million people of Bosnia and Herzegovina were Confronting ‘ethnic cleansing’ The creation of ‘safe areas’ displaced. 700,000 had become While UNHCR and other humani- At the beginning of 1993, a critical refugees in Western Europe. tarian organizations were able to situation developed in eastern deliver large quantities of humani- Bosnia which, except for three The humanitarian ‘fig leaf’ tarian supplies during the war, they small pockets of territory around In October 1991, in the midst of were much less successful in Srebrenica, Zepa and Gorazde, had the population displacement taking protecting civilians from ‘ethnic largely been emptied of non-Serbs. place in Croatia, the Yugoslav cleansing’. On the whole, UNHCR These enclaves were crowded massacre in Europe On the civilian side, with Muslims, many of whom had since the Second ‘‘Material safety however, the agree- fled there from the surrounding World War. Days includes access to ment left the na- countryside. They were defended after the fall of basic services. Legal tionalist leaders in by poorly armed Bosnian Srebrenica, Serb safety includes the power on both sides, government soldiers and encircled forces overran Zepa, undermining, by Bosnian Serb forces. On 2 April another so-called redress of human among other things, 1993, High Commissioner Ogata safe area. rights violations, prospects for recon- wrote to the UN Secretary-General non-discrimination, ciliation among the stressing the need for ‘more Operation Storm and unhindered different ethnic drastic action’ to ensure the In early 1995, there groups and the survival of the population in Srebre- was a new wave of access to justice.’’ possibility for nica. She urged that UNPROFOR ‘ethnic cleansing’ by Ron Redmond displaced people peacekeepers be permitted to use the Bosnian Serbs in and refugees to force to protect the population of western Bosnia, particularly in the return to the areas from which Srebrenica, or that UNHCR be area. Then, in mid-1995, a they were ‘ethnically cleansed’ permitted to organize a mass number of events dramatically during the war. The lack of public evacuation. After Bosnian Serb changed the dynamics of the war. order in Bosnia and Herzegovina, shelling had killed 56 people during a In early August, the and particularly the lack of effective UNHCR-organized evacuation from launched ‘Operation Storm’, a security for ethnic minorities, Srebrenica, the Security Council massive military offensive involving prevented any significant reversal adopted Resolution 819, declaring more than 100,000 troops, which of the ‘ethnic cleansing’ which the enclave to be a UN-protected overran all Serb-controlled areas. took place during the war. Local ‘safe area’ and, among other things, Then, on 28 August 1995, Bosnian political leaders on both sides calling on UNPROFOR to increase Serb forces fired a shell into a busy repeatedly blocked returns by its presence there. Resolution 824, market place in Sarajevo, killing 37 relocating members of their own also declared Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zepa, people and injuring dozens more. ethnic group into available housing Gorazde and Bihac to be safe areas. NATO responded by launching a space and creating a climate of two-week intensive air campaign fear and intimidation for minorities. Safe areas: too little, too late against Bosnian Serb targets. Most of them relocated to new The safe areas were established Croatian and Bosnian government areas where their own ethnic without the consent of the parties to forces mounted a joint offensive in group was in the majority. the conflict and without the provision Bosnia and Herzegovina. Aware of any credible military deterrent. that they were losing territory by At the end of 1999, some 800,000 Governments were not willing to the day, Bosnian Serb officials people in Bosnia and Herzegovina provide this number of troops and accepted a ceasefire, and agreed to remained displaced and unable to the Security Council therefore attend peace talks in Dayton, Ohio. return to their former homes. adopted an alternative ‘light option’ in UNHCR has set up a number of bus which only 7,500 peacekeepers The Dayton Peace Agreement lines travelling between the two were to be deployed for this task. The Dayton Peace Agreement entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNPROFOR troops were permitted which resulted from these talks was and has facilitated group visits of to use force only in self-defence, and signed in Paris on 14 December refugees and displaced people to not in defence of the civilians they 1995. Although the agreement places of origin. had been sent to protect. Safe areas keeps Bosnia and Herzegovina were in fact ‘neither protected areas united as a single state, it recognizes Open Cities project nor safe havens in the sense of two entities: and Another UNHCR initiative was to international humanitarian law, nor the Muslim–Croat Federation. The set up the ‘Open Cities’ project, safe areas in any militarily meaningful peace agreement stated that ‘all whereby donors were encouraged sense’. refugees and displaced persons to invest in cities which allowed have the right to return freely to their minority groups to return. Though On 11 July 1995, the Bosnian Serb homes of origin’, though it made no small numbers of people have army overran Srebrenica, taking provisions to enforce such returns. returned to areas, where they now hundreds of Dutch peace-keepers Instead it relied on the former parties form part of an ethnic minority, hostage and forcing some 40,000 to the conflict voluntarily to create an there has as yet been minimal people to flee. Meanwhile some environment in which refugees progress in rebuilding genuinely 7,000 people, virtually all of them could return ‘in safety, without risk multi-ethnic societies in either men or boys and almost all of harassment, intimidation, Croatia or Bosnia and Herzegovina. Muslims, were killed by Bosnian persecution, or discrimination’. Serb forces in the largest Commitment to peace-building by the ethnic Albanian majority, of ethnic cleansing, which included UNHCR has consistently emphasised openly rebelled against Serbian organized mass deportations to that for the return process to be sus- rule. Though sympathetic with neighbouring states. Thousands of tained the international community their desire for greater freedom, Albanians were killed and must continue to commit consid- the international community about 800,000 fled or were expelled erable resources to building peace opposed their demand for from Kosovo. Of these, 426,000 fled in the region. In a demonstration of independence, and pressured to Albania, 228,000 to the former its own commitment to the process, Serbian strongman Slobodan Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and UNHCR has been cooperating Milosevic to end the escalating some 45,000 to . closely with the main players in the violence in the province – violence region, including the UN Inter- that had already resulted in an Return to chaos and danger national Police Force, the Orga- estimated 260,000 displaced In June, Yugoslavia accepted a peace nization for Security and Coopera- people within Kosovo, 79,000 plan, which required the withdrawal tion in Europe (OSCE), the World more Kosovo Albanian refugees of all Serb forces and the return of Bank and other local and inter- and displaced persons in the refugees and displaced person. The national organizations. None- immediate region, and over refugees started returning immedia- theless, the process of ethnic 100,000 refugees and asylum tely. Within three weeks, 500,000 separation, which began during the seekers in Western Europe and people had returned and, by the end war, continued by other means in further afield. of the year, more than 820,000 the post-war period. had returned. But and deportations they came back to a society without Kosovo, Serbia and Milosevic Local fighting between the KLA and a functioning civil administration, In 1998, nine years after Kosovo Yugoslav forces continued, while police force or any legal or judicial had lost its status of autonomy Yugoslav armed forces and police, as system and massive destruction of within Yugoslavia, the Kosovo well as paramilitary forces and local property. Liberation Army (KLA) supported Serbs, carried out a brutal campaign ©UNHCR/A. Hollmann/05.1992 Destruction in the UN protected area of in Croatia. Returnees also faced danger from map of Europe, replaced by a looser Important lessons were learned in landmines, booby traps, and union called simply Serbia and the decade of conflict in the Balkans unexploded ordnance. With tens of Montenegro. concerning the use of military forces thousands of homes destroyed or to protect civilian victims of war. In a badly damaged in Kosovo, UNHCR Milosevic refused to accept his highly critical report to the UN and other humanitarian organizations defeat in the presidential election of General Assembly on the fall of immediately set up a large-scale 2000, but was forced out of office by Srebrenica, submitted in November rehabilitation programme. strikes, massive street protests and 1999, Secretary-General Kofi Annan the storming of parliament. He was summed up the most significant of Reverse ethnic cleansing handed over to the UN War crimes these: Apart from the enormity of the Tribunal in The Hague and is on trial reconstruction task, however, the for crimes against humanity and "The cardinal lesson of Srebrenica is greatest challenge proved to be that genocide. Kosovo itself became a that a deliberate and systematic of protecting the remaining Serbs, UN protectorate, though some attempt to terrorize, expel or murder Roma and other minorities in Kosovo. powers are being handed back to an entire people must be met As they flooded back, Kosovo elected local authorities. One of the decisively with all necessary means, Albanians attacked and intimidated main problems in the province is and with the political will to carry the Serbs and other minority groups getting Serbs, who fled as Yugoslav policy through to its logical conclu- suspected of perpetrating atrocities security forces withdrew in 1999, to sion. In the Balkans, this lesson had against them. Within three months, return to their homes. to be learned not once, but twice. In up to 200,000 Serbs and other both instances, in Bosnia and in minorities left Kosovo in a process The guns are silent. But the Kosovo, the international community dubbed "reverse ethnic cleansing". tensions remain tried to reach a negotiated settlement The province soon became deeply Ethnic tension in the region remains with an unscrupulous and murderous divided between ethnic Albanian just below the surface: conflict regime. In both instances it required areas and pockets of territory still between Serbs and ethnic Albanians the use of force to bring a halt to the inhabited by Serbs and Roma. threatened to erupt in late 2000 on planned and systematic killing and UNHCR and other humanitarian the Serbian side of the Kosovo expulsion of civilians." organizations carried out a number of border; and a major outbreak of inter- activities aimed at protecting and ethnic violence occurred in All too often during the 1990s, assisting Serbs and other minorities. Macedonia in 2001, again involving humanitarian organizations such as the Albanian minority, UNHCR were left to deal with Meanwhile, the ‘‘Emergency relief which was con- problems which were essentially flight of Kosovo tained by NATO political in nature. In each case, the Serbs to other parts operations should peacekeepers and limits of humanitarian action were of Yugoslavia put a not be treated as resolved by political clearly demonstrated. As the then further strain on a a substitute for means. Another UN High Commissioner for country already timely and firm serious flare-up Refugees emphasised with growing suffering from the political action to occurred as recently insistence throughout the decade, prolonged effects of address the root as March 2004, emergency relief operations should international requiring a large not be treated as a substitute for sanctions and aerial causes of conflict" increase in UN timely and firm political action to bombardment. Even Kofi Annan forces to control the address the root causes of conflict. before this latest situation. BBC News influx, the country was hosting over State of the World Refugees, 2000 500,000 refugees from Croatia and Though considerable progress has Helping Refugees, 2003 Bosnia and Herzegovina, making it been made to heal the wounds of the largest refugee-hosting country the violent 1990s, major problems in the region at that time. remain. An estimated 2.2 million civilians went home after the guns The fall of Milosevic fell silent, and an increasing number Relations between Serbia and the continue to return to minority areas only other remaining Yugoslav re- where they live uneasily among their public, Montenegro, hit rock bottom former enemies, including 400,000 as its leaders distanced themselves in Bosnia and Herzegovina. But from Milosevic’s handling of Kosovo. today more than a million people Inevitably, after 83 years of existence, remain displaced, most of them Yugoslavia disappeared from the living in Serbia. RWANDA: A LONG HISTORY OF VIOLENCE ©UNHCR/R.Chalasani/12.1998 Rwandan returnees

Rwanda has been the epicentre military comeback and, as the made the refugee occupants of regional violence since gaining Rwandan Patriotic Forces (RPF), political hostages, and created independence in 1962. The roots attacked the government in 1990. almost impossible conditions for of this violence, though, go back to An uneasy power-sharing truce was UNHCR. By now more than half of the early years of colonial rule, established in 1993, but following Rwanda’s population of 7 million when in the aftermath of the First the suspicious deaths of the were either refugees or internally World War the Belgian authorities presidents of Rwanda and Burundi in displaced. The presence of so many ignored the tribal a plane crash, Hutu refugees in camps so close to the status quo and gave ‘‘We yearn for the extremists rose up border amounted to a proxy military the Tutsi minority day when people and massacred force that threatened the Rwandan control power over in every part of the almost a million government, which responded by the Hutu majority. Tutsis and Hutu forcibly clearing out many of them. But in the late 50s, world can live moderates. The RPF About 1.4 million refugees returned just before granting safely within their gained power, and to Rwanda as the camps were Rwanda independ- own country and this time it was the simply dismantled or destroyed, and ence, the Belgians community’’ Hutu’s turn to flee, some 200,000 people are estimated switched their Sadako Ogata with 2 million of to have perished or executed during support to the them occupying the operation. Hutus, who promptly overthrew camps in the same neighbouring the Tutsi monarchy. The ensuing countries to which they had driven The whole region aflame rioting caused the first of many the Tutsis 30 years before. The situation could not have been refugee flights into neighbouring more volatile, and in 1996 the countries, thus creating enormous Militarization of the refugee inevitable explosion happened, first in tension and unrest in the region camps Zaire. After two years of insecurity, that continues to this day. The large refugee camps bordering military operations and alliances in Rwanda, notably those in Goma, East Zaire an armed rebellion led to Genocide Zaire, became the main base of the the overthrow of President Mobutu The Hutus remained in control until defeated Rwandan Army and its Sese Seko and his replacement the late 80s, when some hard-line Hutu militia allies, who formed a in 1997 by Laurence Kabila. Tutsi exiles began to plan a virtual government in exile. This This in turn led to the spread of Some 700,000 people were forcibly reintegration assistance continues. conflict throughout the region, displaced in an attempt to restore Most of them face a situation of centred on the Democratic Republic internal security. They were told to near destitution on their return, and of the Congo and its riches, and regroup in Imidugudu villages, but the personal and institutional involving the armies of six countries, the donor community refused to support networks from before the some of whom supported Kabila, fund their reinstallation. 1994 genocide now no longer exist. while others sought his downfall. The number of freshly displaced Stability at last Lessons learned persons that resulted reached more By the end of 1999, a degree of The failure to halt the genocide in than one million by the end of 1999. stability had been achieved within Rwanda in 1994, the failure to Rwanda’s national borders. But prevent the militarization of the The Imidugudu Policy regional conflicts in Eastern DRC refugee camps at Goma in Meanwhile, in 1996-97 Rwanda and Burundi remained potential 1994–96, and the failure to monitor was experiencing massive influx of threats to the country’s internal effectively the dispersal of the 1.4 million returnees, who were stability. 2003 saw the country Rwandan Hutu refugees driven into desperately in need of shelter and adopt a new constitution and hold Zaire and to protect and assist them, reintegration assistance. These its first presidential elections since all have shown that if civil conflict were in addition to about 800,000 1994. These were followed by and forced human displacement are "old case" returnees who had fled legislative elections, marking the not addressed promptly, the longer- the 1959 pre-independence riots. In end of a nine-year transition period in term consequences can be January 1997 the government Rwandan politics. Also in 2003, catastrophic. enacted its Imidugudu policy, which UNHCR facilitated the signing of stated that people must be grouped tripartite agreements for the The April 1994 genocide was the together in villages, rather than in voluntary repatriation of refugees defining moment in the recent their traditionally scattered habitats, between Rwanda and Zambia, history of the region. It could have for safety and in order to provide Uganda and DRC. In 2004 UNHCR been prevented, and the fact that it necessary services more easily. also hopes to facilitate the return of occurred was the culmination of some 32,000 Congolese refugees decades of missed opportunities. In 1998, security concerns again who are now in Rwanda. triggered a military operation, this RLSS Mission Report 2000/03 ; External Evaluation of the UNHCR Shelter Program in time in the Northwest of the But the situation is still far from Rwanda 1994 –1999 country, creating more instability on perfect, and for Rwandan returnees, State of the World’s Refugees, 2000 both sides of Rwanda’s borders. it is of crucial importance that UNHCR Global Appeal, 2004 AFGHANISTAN

Pakistan and Iran in the space of eight months – many with assistance from UNHCR and the World Food Programme (WFP).

The initial euphoria quickly dissipated after the mujahedin groups turned on each other in an increasingly bitter power struggle. Although many Afghans repatriated in the 1990s, others left the country, forced out by the conflict, deteriorating economic conditions, and, in the final years, a devastating drought. Many entered camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) or joined IDP communities squatting in Afghan refugees prepare for the trip home, Takhta disused public buildings.

©UNHCR/P.Benatar, 2002 Baig center, Peshawar. By the end of the decade, refugee populations in Iran and Pakistan had risen again to more than five 1979-2000 – The Refugee Years to take Herat, Jalalabad, and, by million, and Afghans still made up In December 1979, the Soviet the end of 1996, the capital city, UNHCR’s biggest caseload. army invaded Afghanistan. Its aim: Kabul. With the capture of Mazar-i- to support the communist regime Sharif in 1998, they controlled 2001 onward: that had come to power the more than 80 per cent of the Repatriation and Reintegration previous year. The result: a bitter country. Against this turbulent Suddenly, in the autumn of 2001, ten-year conflict between the backdrop, millions of Afghans left attention began to refocus on Afghan government and its their homes, seeking refuge both Afghanistan. Following the Coa- superpower ally on the one side, within Afghanistan and in lition intervention, and the Taliban’s and the Afghan mujahedin and neighbouring countries (notably departure from the main cities, their various Western and Islamic Pakistan and Iran) and further refugees and IDPs immediately backers on the other. And the afield – in India, , Europe, started to go back to their homes. launch of a cycle of refugee North America and Australia. By early December 2001, more exodus and return. than 10,000 Afghans had moved By the end of 1980, a year after back to the capital – some from When the Soviets withdrew the Soviet invasion, 1.9 million Pakistan, others from locations across the Amu Darya River in refugees had already crossed into within the country. 1988, war was expected to come Pakistan and Iran, a figure that to an end. It did not. The eventually rose to over six million, UNHCR staff throughout the mujahedin continued to fight split between the two countries. region began to work with govern- against the government, which ment counterparts in Afghanistan, finally fell in 1992. An interim For much of the 1980s, Afghan Iran and Pakistan on a multi-year government made up of the main refugees provided almost half the strategy for the voluntary repatri- mujahedin factions was formed in world’s refugee total. UNHCR ation and initial reintegration of Pakistan. Almost instantly, the alone spent more than 1.6 billion Afghan refugees. Tripartite voluntary different faction leaders began to on assisting them. In 1989, when repatriation agreements were fight for power. Alliances were the last Soviet soldiers left the negotiated with the governments made, broken, and reforged. And country, some refugees began to of Afghanistan and the Islamic the fighting raged on, causing return to quieter parts of Republics of Iran and Pakistan. immeasurable suffering. Afghanistan, despite the fighting These serve as an important legal between the government and framework for the repatriation In late 1994, an unexpectedly mujahedin groups. process. Similar agreements have powerful new force, the Taliban, been signed by UNHCR and appeared, led by the reclusive In 1992, when the victorious Afghanistan with the Governments Mullah Omar. From their Kandahar mujahedin entered the capital, 1.6 of , the Netherlands, and the stronghold, the Taliban moved out million Afghans returned from United Kingdom. One of the largest repatriation efforts to ensure longer-term assistance (20,000 units are operations in history reintegration of returnees. The currently planned) but UNHCR is Since the end of 2001, Afghanistan organization’s budget, like those of discussing the establishment of has been the scene of one of the other UN agencies operating in partnership agreements with largest assisted voluntary repatri- Afghanistan, was included in the other implementing organizations. ation operations in recent history, Transitional Administration’s Interventions in the water sector with some 3 million displaced people National Development Budget. Its are being mostly channelled returning to their homes. At the programmes are aligned with through government programmes. same time, a new, internationally national priorities and policies, and The office is also carrying out recognized transitional Government activities are coordinated through cash-for-work and vocational has been striving to establish control a Consultative Group made up of training projects, mostly related to over the entire country and to attract representatives from the Govern- the construction of minor foreign investment for recon- ment, donors, and organizations infrastructure and the develop- struction and development. involved in assistance and ment or rehabilitation of small development. irrigation schemes. In 2002, the operation was essen- tially an emergency one, in which A transitional year It is concentrating on protection, UNHCR and its government par- The year 2004 is a transitional one, coexistence, monitoring and tners, other UN agencies and NGOs in which UNHCR will shift its partnerships. Returnee monitoring assisted the return of some two focus towards the longer term and is a key priority, with reports being million refugees and IDPs and highlighting the need to look for analyzed, shared with appropriate provided hundreds of thousands of alternative approaches to the institutions, and acted upon. people with housing and clean water. Afghan displacement issue for the UNHCR proposes and pursues future. Government capacity measures to prevent and stop Working with the government building will continue to be a key human rights abuses, and In 2003, UNHCR placed more item, in the context of what the provides support to efforts to emphasis on building government High Commissioner has termed a establish functioning institutions capacity (at national and provincial "Governmentalized 4Rs pro- and the rule of law (from the levels) and linking up with a range gramme" (repatriation, rehabili- perspective of return and of other assistance and develop- tation, reconstruction, rehabilitation). It displacement), and to overcome ment organizations, strengthening will provide some direct shelter obstacles to reintegration. THE SRI LANKAN CIVIL WAR

UNHCR started working in Sri Lanka in 1987, primarily to assist in repatriating around 100,000 refugees who had fled to India to escape the then four-year old war. However, escalating fighting meant that by the end of the year an estimated 400,000 civilians had been forced from their homes.

Rebel demands for independence Sri Lanka’s civil war was sparked in 1983 when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) launched an ambush on a group of government soldiers, killing fourteen. The LTTE was one of a number of militant Tamil groups established amid concerns that the country’s majority Sinhalese population was enacting policies designed to marginalize the Tamil minority; Sinhalese had been designated the

country’s sole official language in UNHCR/R.Chalasani 1954 – just eight years after A returnee family in front of their galvanized frame independence – and when the shelter at the Thodadeli Welfare Center. country changed its name from Ceylon to Sri Lanka in 1972, Buddhism was given primary place many military checkpoints and promote spontaneous return, and as the country’s religion. A product opening up the road link to the many people have been more than of escalating tension in the late northern city of Jaffna, the willing to make the journey. Others, 1970s, the LTTE demanded full government sought to deliver feeling more comfortable where independence in the country’s benefits of peace even before they are because of access to north and east for nearly three formal peace talks began. schools, jobs and other basic needs, million Tamils. face the challenge of becoming Returns accepted members of the As the conflict continued through By the end of 2003, more than communities in which they have the 1990s, the number of internally 345,000 IDPs had taken been displaced. By the end of 2003, displaced civilians rose to more advantage of the improved more than 385,000 people remained than 800,000, plus another freedom of movement to return displaced within the island. 200,000 refugees living in Tamil to their homes in former areas Nadu in southern India. of conflict. In addition, nearly Not-so-sweet home Additionally, as many as 65,000 6,000 registered refugees Those opting to return home have persons have been killed during the returned from India in organized themselves encountered difficulties. nearly two-decade long conflict. or spontaneous movements. Many homes and buildings have Such returns are likely to been destroyed, schools have Peace negotiations continue in 2004, in numbers closed down and other basic Intensive fighting in the north and largely dictated by the success infrastructure is missing. Worse, east of the country continued until of the peace negotiations. the slow removal of some 25,000 February 2002 when, after several landmines in the Jaffna peninsula previously failed attempts at peace, Despite the ceasefire accord and alone is hindering the smooth the government and Tamil Tigers start of peace talks, refugees have return of displaced people, and signed a permanent cease-fire had mixed feelings about returning some have been encouraged to agreement, paving the way for talks to homes which they abandoned 10 return to areas that were not yet under a new peace initiative to 20 years ago. The government made safe. sponsored by Norway. By removing and the LTTE have been keen to Who owns what? Resettlement raises issues regar- ding the ownership of properties, because ownership documents have been destroyed in the war and government records are not avail- able. Often returnees discover that other people have moved into the homes they had to abandon. In some cases, the boundaries of local authorities have been shifted during the conflict, creating more problems about ownership. Often there is in- adequate compensation to rebuild damaged homes, and many of those returning also have to cope with a lack of basic utilities such as drinking water, schools and hospitals.

Rights for all If people are to be able to return to their homes in safety and with dignity, then conditions in return areas must be adequate. Returnees should be able to live without fear, send their children to schools and earn a living. If such conditions cannot be met, and returning home is therefore not an option, then other solutions have to be found. This could mean displaced persons staying where they are and becoming members of the local community. Or, it might mean relocating and joining a community elsewhere. displaced family living in their home, A lasting peace? This applies to returnees and it is not enough to say that the illegal Prospects for a peaceful settlement displaced persons alike – including squatters should simply leave and of Sri Lanka’s 20-year conflict remain those occupying abandoned find accommodation elsewhere. All promising, and the ceasefire homes. When the original displaced persons have a right to a agreement signed in February 2002 occupants return to find another solution. has for the most part been respected. Close to three-quarters of a million people were displaced at the time of the February 2002 ceasefire; by the end of 2003 almost half had returned home. In addition, of 80,000 Sri Lankans living as refugees in India, almost 6,000 had made the journey home.

Refugees magazine No. 130 UNHCR World News 12 February 2003 UNHCR Global Appeal 2004

With assistance from UNHCR, this boy’s family was able to purchase goats. Income generation programs give people UNHCR/R.Chalasani the opportunity to become self-sufficient. ANGOLA

Angolan returnees in Cazombo ©UNHCR /N. Behring-Chisholm

Background now reconstruction and rehabilitation of its counter-insurgency campaign. Angola is rich in resources, and of these displaced people. Hundreds of thousands of people exports more oil to the USA than were uprooted, losing their homes Kuwait. Yet despite its wealth, or Returning home…to hunger and their livelihoods. These returning more correctly because of it, Soon after the fighting stopped, internally displaced people increased conflict has left much of the refugees began to return sponta- the number relying on food country in ruins. The war between neously from the neighbouring assistance from 1.8 million to 2.4 the government and UNITA rebels Congo, where some had lived in exile million before they would harvest began after independence from for as long as 25 years. Thousands of their first crops. Portugal in 1975, and continued them returned on foot, via an official unabated until the rebel leader, border crossing, while even more UNHCR’s role Jonas Savimbi was killed early in crossed back into Angola without To help the refugees return and 2002 and peace talks began. reporting their departure. Other reintegrate in safety and dignity, Now, after more than 30 years of refugees returned from next-door UNHCR and its partners, as well war, the possibility of real peace Zambia to Angola’s Moxico Province, as other aid agencies, coordinated has come to Angola. from where they had fled in 1998 to with the Angolan government to escape the fighting. Refugees set up schools, hospitals, sanita- But the price of peace has been whose homes were deeper inside tion and other services. Help was heavy. The civil war displaced over Angola preferred to wait for a also given in obtaining the correct four million people from their UNHCR-sponsored repatriation, documentation, and in offering homes, about a third of Angola’s rather than rush back home. school, vocational or language population, and among them education (many, after years were some 450,000 refugees In the final months of the civil war, exiled in Zambia, could speak who sought safety in neigh- the Angolan army virtually emptied English but not Portuguese). bouring countries. The challenge is the countryside of people as part After the war, there were an estimated seven million anti-tank and anti-personnel mines littering the country, so to ensure that returnees continue to resettle in areas that are safe, demining and mine awareness programmes continue to operate.

UNHCR has also been assisting returning Angolan refugees with transport and logistics, and providing them with essential relief items such as blankets, buckets, kitchen sets and soap. Nutritional and medical screenings are carried out and basic food assistance is being provided in cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP) until they may consume their own crops.

Quick Impact Projects in areas of return are helping rebuild the basic infrastructure, facilitating transport, supporting small-scale production and generating employment. HIV/AIDS awareness, environ- mental sanitation and hygiene interventions are given priority attention. Community develop- ment initiatives are steering communities toward self-reliance, and ensuring that assistance is provided equitably to everyone.

Peace. But at a price The peace settlement ended the mortality rates are the second help this hungry, war-ravaged fighting, but did not lead to an highest in the world, with almost a country, clearly much more is immediate improvement in the third of Angolan infants dying needed if it is ever to achieve its humanitarian situation. Instead it before they reach their fifth potential. revealed the full impact of the war birthday. Less than half of school- on the civilian population in the aged children receive any formal Sources: ECHO leaflet, Angola: The Challenge of Peace, Esperanza and Alfredo (Educational Kit countryside, including 36 previously education, and only 34% of those "Young African Refugees: Building the Future") inaccessible areas containing a who do attend school reach the 2004 UNHCR Global Appeal further half-million people in need fifth grade. of assistance. Progress Today the main challenges remain Despite these dire conditions, in malnutrition, continuing food 2003 the situation did improve insecurity, a lack of clean drinking substantially: there was a sharp water, ina-dequate sanitation and fall in people needing emergency poor health facilities. Indeed, assistance; millions of children according to UNICEF, Angola is were vaccinated; and malnutrition one of the world’s worst countries was significantly reduced. But in which to be a child. Under-five while much has been done to ©UNHCR / M.Desisti PEOPLE ALFREDO AND ESPERANZA.

HOPEFUL TEENAGE RETURNEES TO ANGOLA After more than 30 years of war in Angola, the peace process which began in April 2002 opened the door to a flood of returnees -- and with it the three-pronged challenge of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation.

A third of the population was displaced during the conflict, and around half a million fled the country, mainly to neighbouring Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This tells the story of two teenagers, now no longer refugees, who have experienced the final stage of the refugee experience: they have returned to their home town. Now, with the assistance of the Huma- nitarian Aid Office of the European ©UNHCR /N. Behring-Chisholm Commission (ECHO), UNHCR and Alfredo Chivunda their partner agencies, the two have a chance to build a decent future.

The ravages of war important tasks facing the country is country of origin, either at peace or Cazombo is an Angolan town near to rapidly rebuild schools and find at war. Now, for the first time in his the border with Zambia which the teachers to staff them. life he has arrived in Cazombo, his was hard hit during Angola's ancestral home, to try to find a decades-long civil war. After the Says Marie Olsen of ECHO, "All school here. But, too old to attend peace pact was signed, refugees other kinds of infrastructure also primary school, he quickly started coming home again to a were destroyed during the war. discovered that secondary schools country ravaged by war and There were no schools, there were had not yet been rebuilt. What’s littered with landmines. Despite no health posts or hospitals which more, having grown up in Zambia, the level of destruction, people were functioning. There was no he doesn’t speak Portuguese, the have been flocking back to their water for sanitation, just some for language of instruction in Angola. villages, anxious to rebuild their drinking. It was very difficult for Alfredo is especially worried that he homeland, and testing the people to start a new life, because will lose key years at school: "The resources of ECHO and UNHCR, the right conditions were simply not Portuguese which they do speak who have to ensure that the yet in place." here will be hard for me to start refugees can return to "acceptable learning, because it is so late. I will conditions" in yet another country Alfredo’s story have to start again and that will be emerging from war. Fourteen-year-old Alfredo Chivunda hard also." was born in a refugee camp in Two years on, the main challenges Zambia, so he has never known his Alfredo left Zambia on his own, are still malnutrition, ongoing food and now he stays in a small insecurity, a lack of clean drinking village, 40 minutes’ walking water, inadequate sanitation and ‘‘I have no friend distance from Cazombo, with poor health facilities. Mortality rates here. My only friend his half-brother Manuel and his in Angola remain high, while is this tree. I al- family. A lot older than the other malaria, anaemia, acute respiratory ways stay here children in the village, he feels infections and diarrhoea are the lonely. "In this village there are most common life-threatening with the tree, no people to be friends with illnesses. In order to hasten reading a book’’. who are my size." development, one of the more He indicates a typical 5-year-old this problem for him so that he That way you can make some height with his hands: "All of can at least get a minimum money and pay for the cuttings." them are just this size. I have no amount of aid. (ECHO and She sighs. " If you have no money friend here. My only friend is this UNHCR provide some assistance you can’t do much". tree. I always stay here with the in the form of a monthly maize tree, reading a book. That’s all." allowance for all registered Angola is the most mine-infested Holding a school textbook in his returnees, including the 20,000 country in the world. It is hand, Alfredo continues: "I have Angolans who returned to estimated that some seven million my book for grade 8, which is Cazombo in the first year). of these lethal devices are Civics, one history book, and scattered across the country. another book titled Traditional Esperanza They have long posed a threat to Marriages in Zambia. I like those Another young returnee, Esperanza the civilian population, and with ones!" he laughs. Kabiba, is also living in Cazombo, people now returning to their having returned from the Demo- home areas, there has been a When he returned, Alfredo was cratic Republic of the Congo with sharp increase in mine accidents. expecting some financial support her mother and younger brothers Few places are safe for farming. from his half-brother. But his brother and sisters. Fifteen-year-old Ignoring the danger, Esperanza’s can’t help him, and he is very Esperanza has been a refugee family raises manioc and sweet disappointed. Pointing at the evident twice – first in Zambia and then in potato. But it will take time before poverty of his surroundings, he says Congo – living on handouts in the the crops yield results, so in the "Life here is as you can see. We don’t camps. Now she has to work hard meantime Esperanza also goes to have money … and my brother is to help her mother who is trying to a farm an hour’s walk away to buy complaining that ‘I also have no establish a small business in sugar canes to sell in the market. money to help you.’" Cazombo, producing vegetables Even though she can’t read or for the local market, and she is write, like many African women So, instead of getting help for relying on Esperanza’s youth and she has a good head for business. himself, Alfredo has to assist his strength. brother with the cassava weeding Hopes and dreams in order to earn some money for Says Esperanza, "To cultivate Alfredo and Esperanza have both food, clothes and other things. A plants like that, you have to pay. attended meetings for the teen- major problem for him is that he You have to buy the cuttings and agers who, like themselves, have made his way home to Angola everything. But being returnees, returned to Cazombo, to discuss from Zambia in a hurry, without we have no money, so when we the problems they are facing and any papers -- and with no receive a few rations of maize we how to adapt to their new life in documentation he can’t qualify for sell a little of it. You sell a little Angola – not the least of which is food aid. UNHCR is trying to solve maize. You sell a few beans. how to learn Portuguese. Asked what grade she is in, now that she is back home in Angola, Esperanza answers wistfully "I don’t know, I have never been to school".

Education and training in Portu- guese are identified as the two most pressing needs for the young: "It is better to just help us by having a school which we can learn Portuguese fast so that we can go back to school in Portuguese", says Alfredo.

Esperanza dreams of a brighter future -- a future for them and for their families in the new Angola. "My dream? I just I want Angola to be developed, and I want us children to learn so that we make Angola developed."

©UNHCR /N. Behring-Chisholm Esperanza Kabiba THE ODYSSEY OF AN AFGHAN FAMILY

Private English lesson in Kabul July 14, 2002 ©UNHCR/N.Behring

That terrible day in 1979 began from Ali, riddling his body with So, together with his mother like any other. But by nightfall it shrapnel. The doctors told him his and three brothers, young Ali had changed Ali Mohammed’s right leg had to be amputated fled to Pakistan before the life for ever. immediately, just above the ankle. Taliban captured Kabul. There were complications, and Although years of civil war and two months later they had to Already a total of 6.2 million an invasion by Soviet troops had amputate again, this time above Afghans had escaped to devastated the country, causing the knee. "I left the clinic crippled, Pakistan or Iran, and Ali’s family millions of Afghans to flee, Ali but lucky to be alive," he said. settled in the Pakistani city of had decided to stay and take Peshawar as so-called urban war in his stride as best he The Taliban are coming refugees. But life remained so could. Every morning, the youth The reputation of the Taliban as difficult that after only a few went into Kabul to purchase any ruthless, murderous enforcers months he decided to run the bargain he could find—toys, preceded them. "The Taliban are risk of the Taliban and return to cans of food, household coming! The Taliban are coming!" Kabul. It was a mistake which appliances—to resell for a tiny became a familiar refrain in the nearly cost him his life for a profit on the streets of his alleys of the Qala-e-Shada area of second time. neighbourhood. Kabul where the crippled teenager lived. "We feared them very As a young man and a cripple, But this morning he could not much," Ali Mohammed said. "We he was a natural object of avoid war’s indiscriminate heard so many rumours that they suspicion and within days he destruction, and the next thing he were just killing everyone." was arrested. remembers was waking in a Red Cross clinic, fighting for his life. A shell had exploded a few yards Home. Again. No water. No electricity. No ‘‘The vast majority The dramatic US-led removal of toilet. No heating. of the Afghan people the Taliban that followed the Today they occupy the same awaken hungry, 9/11 trauma changed every- room Ali had once lived in on the thing. More than two million outskirts of Kabul, a tiny bare cold and sick every Afghans flooded back to their space of scarcely four square morning. All of us homes, and Ali too started meters. It has no utilities and know that the inter- thinking about going home: "But plastic bags flap in the windows. national commu- we had established a foothold in Against one wall is a loom on Pakistan. We could at least loan from a local businessman, nity must be pre- survive. Would I find work in which mother and a daughter pared to sustain a Kabul? Could we survive there? work by hand. Ali, still troubled reconstruction Everyone around us was going by his wounds and unable to lift program that will home," he continued. "Even the anything heavy, does odd jobs. carpet merchant left. In the end take many, many we really had no choice." School for Sabara is out of the years.’’ question. "Until I can find a full- Colin Powell The Ali Mohammed family were time job," he says, "we cannot processed by UNHCR, and afford to send her to school. We "You are a traitor," Taliban received a relocation package of need her here to make money interrogators accused him, as 100 kilos of flour, two plastic for the family." The future is full one official sat on his stump sheets, female hygienic items, a of uncertainties. Concerns while another mercilessly beat kilo of soap and 65 dollars. They remain among all Afghans about the sole of his good leg with an joined a group of fellow how long foreign aid will iron bar. Twice more he was returnees and, clinging continue to flow. But they press picked up and shaken down for precariously high above their on. Ali quotes an Afghan money, so when he was released a fully laden hired vehicle, they proverb: "Each time we have third time, he rushed to a relative’s swayed their way through the one good day here, we are house, borrowed some money and high mountain passes and having a good life." took a bus to the border. "I fled Kabul across scorched valleys back as quickly as I could," he recalls. towards home. Kabul had For the Ali Mohammed family it changed from a dreary, tightly means simply taking things one Ali Mohammed was a penniless regulated urban backwater day at a time. refugee once more. But he was still where the religious police held alive, and no longer alone: Ali now terrifying sway into an Source: Refugees Magazine had a wife, Majan, a young widow overwhelming cacophony of whose husband had been killed by a noise, crowds and traffic. It was stray Soviet shell, and Sabara, her also filled with hundreds of daughter. The family found a four thousands of returnees, which square meter room in Peshawar – was not good news for a second tiny, but it had a small kitchen and… wave of refugees like Ali and his electricity. "I remember especially the family, and he spent weeks electricity," Majan said. struggling through the streets on his crutches looking for work. "We had television and listened to all kinds of music (banned under There was nothing. "Maybe it the Taliban). Life was very difficult was a mistake coming back but we were not afraid. It was here," he often said to himself. peaceful." Some even returned to Pakistan. But Ali Mohammed persisted, and after several months he managed to find employment … weaving carpets again, just as the family had done in Pakistan. JASENKO SELIMOVIC

Ask any theatre-goer in Sweden’s southern city of Gothenberg to name the Artistic Director of their City Theatre, and odds are they will immediately mention the distinctly un-Swedish name of Jasenko Selimovic. In fact this successful and talented native of the ancient city of Sarajevo, in the former Yugo- slavian state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is today a proud Swedish citizen, and has held this important post since 1998. But only four short years earlier he wasn’t even sure he’d manage to stay alive another 24 hours, never mind one day find himself living safely in Sweden and making an impact on that country’s cultural scene.

When the broke out Jasenko’s parents had recently made a job-related move to Sweden. On the 6th of April, 1992, he had just returned to Sarajevo after visiting them, with the intention of graduation from the Art Drama College. Jasenko was the only pas- senger on the flight, one of the last into Sarajevo before the siege. The war came as a total shock: "We couldn’t believe that something like that could happen in our country … that people could get assassinated because of their name or nationality."

On 5 May the shelling started, and eventually half of the town was destroyed: "One shell for ©Göteborg City Theatre each inhabitant" comments Jasenko Selimovic Jasenko dryly. Sarajevo became city under siege. Only the airport, which was held by the UN peacekeepers, remained open Escape! Jasenko quickly gathered (the Serb forces "agreed" with Jasenko was determined to get together some money, gold and the UN not to attack supply out somehow, and in Decem- underwear, but in the ensuing flights as long as no people ber he arranged with a smuggler panic left it all in the apartment! entered or left the city via the to flee Sarajevo at night via the airport). airport. On the day of the flight he was picked up at home and given fifteen minutes to pack. In the end he only brought two But on the other hand he also Sarajevo was performed in things with him: music by felt nauseated at the sheer pro- English, but when he and his Djordje Balasevic, one of ex- fusion of food and merchan- family were granted residence Yugoslavia’s the most loved dise; after having lived so long permits Jasenko learnt Swedish performers, and The Blooming in a besieged, starving city, very quickly, and already by the of the Pumpkins by A. Jasenko says that he practically spring of 1994 he applied for Mihajlovic, a book about an terrorized his whole family the Art Drama College for immigrant in Sweden. about this "abundance of Directors in Stockholm. In spite things…." of tough competition he got in, Together with several other and succeeded in graduating in escapees, Jasenko had to hide Putting down roots only two years. By 1995 Jasenko close to the airport until At first Jasenko was reluctant had moved to Gothenburg, nightfall. At last it was time to to mix with others. But friends where he was involved in a make a dash for the plane. of his parents in Stockholm number of plays that drew on Suddenly Jasenko and another helped him break out of his his war experiences. In 1998, man in the group were self-imposed isolation by he was appointed to the post of discovered, and they started to making contact with a freelance Artistic Director of the City run in the opposite direction, theatre group. They were Theatre of Gothenburg. back towards Sarajevo. Pre- preparing a play by Goran vented from re-entering the Stefanovski called Sarajevo, and For Jasenko Selimovic, it’s city, they were forced instead at first Jasenko shared his been quite a journey from the to walk towards the Igman experiences from Sarajevo with deprivation and danger of mountain. The following day the actors. Before long, he too Sarajevo under siege to a life of Jasenko managed to get a ride had a part in the play. safety and success in Sweden. to the Croatian border, where Commenting on how little he took a bus to Split, and things can have such a big UNHCR Stockholm finally a flight to Sweden … and effect, Jasenko says: "The safety. theatre group made such a big difference for the development It was Christmas, and Jasenko of my life in Sweden. Other- was struck by all the lights in wise, who knows how long I the streets and windows. would have stayed in a state of Throughout the long months of war - being apathetic. You can the siege Sarajevo was a city in save lives without knowing it," darkness, and now Jasenko he adds. "You can help other made his parents walk with him people indeed, of course you can!" back and forth along one of Stockholm’s brightest streets -- it gave him an enormous feeling of freedom just being able to walk in lamplight. NYAMKO SABUNI

From persecution victim in Congo to Member of Parliament in Sweden Nyamko Sabuni’s father was a poli- tical activist for Patrice Lumumba, first prime minister of the former Republic of Congo (later to be called Zaire), who was assassinated in 1961. Mr. Sabuni’s political convic- tions made him many enemies, which had a very serious effect upon Nyamko and the rest of the family, and they were subjected to a good deal of persecution them- selves. Things got so bad that Nyamko, her six siblings and her mother were forced to seek safety in neighbouring Burundi, and even had to conceal their family name as a measure of caution while they were there. Back in Zaire, her father was imprisoned many times, and the family had to return there for a ©UNHCR / K.Rodriguez short while in order to support him Nyamko Sabuni and even to provide him with food and other necessities while in prison. To Nyamko, the greatest birthday In 2002 Nyamko successfully ran for In 1980, with the help of a friend, present was simply to be with her the Swedish national parliament, and Nyamko's father managed to escape father again. Nyamko’s parents had today she is member of a number of from his Zaire prison and flee to Tan- always encouraged their seven committees, including Industry, zania. The Zaire Intelligence Service children to study and, believing that Foreign Trade, Regional Develop- soon discovered his whereabouts "the children could become ment, and Energy and Natural and attempted to assassinate him whatever they wanted", nothing was resources. She is very enthusiastic while in his hotel. Clearly, as a hunted considered impossible. So, with the about her parliamentary duties, and man, he could no longer remain formalities settled, Nyamko eagerly travels all over Sweden meeting anywhere in Africa. But her father started school, immediately taking an people and participating in debates, had the good fortune to be "adopted" interest in athletics, basketball and including ones on national television. by , and he dance, though as a typical teenager, was taken to safety in Sweden-- at not so much in politics. Not yet at Some years ago Nyamko met and that time one of the countries most least. married a man from Dalarna, a region responsive to the crisis in the region. northwest of Stockholm, and today But not long after completing high they are the proud parents of twin boys: On the 24th of March, 1981, only a school politics did indeed call. In Christian, and Patrice, named after her few days before her twelfth birthday, 1991, with the aim of drawing greater father’s political hero Patrice Lumumba. Nyamko, her brothers and sisters, attention to Africans’ contributions to and their mother, were finally reunited Swedish society, Nyamko became To go from being a terrified victim with their father. Sweden was en- one of the founders of the African of the often violent politics of joying an economic boom, and jobs National Association in Sweden, and Central Africa, to being a demo- were relatively easy to find. Within six later, its chairperson. This in turn led cratically elected contributor to the months, he had started what would her to the Swedish Liberal Party, Swedish political scene is no small turn out to be a lifelong career with where four years later she became a feat. Nyamko's journey shows just the postal service in its international member of the board of the Party's what little outside help and a lot of department. Her father also found Youth Association. Nyamko soon be- determination can do. Asked if her the family an apartment in the came a full board member of the parents, now retired, are proud of Stockholm suburb of Kungsaengen Liberal Party in Stockholm, as well as her achievement, Nyamko laughs and, thanks to the Swedish govern- a board member on the national level, and says "Proud, yes, but it is also ment, he was also able to present his and even an active member of Stock- what they expected from me!" family with official residency papers. holm's County Cultural Commission. THE LONG MARCH

William Kolong Pioth ©UNHCR / B. Dennehy

William is one of thousands of nation. Not yet 10 years old, William walled refugee school and worked Sudanese ‘Lost Boys’ who walked and 300 other Dinka boys embarked for several years as a social worker barefoot for months, eventually on a long march to safety. It took for $10 a month. One of his jobs was finding freedom and a new life of them precisely two months and 24 to help organize volleyball and opportunity and fulfillment in a new days to walk 1,000 kilometres to a basketball events in the camp, and land. refugee camp in neighbouring once, following a visit by a team western Ethiopia. from the International Olympic Vancouver, with its sleek buildings Committee, one of the delegates reaching gracefully into a pristine sky Across the vast plains, similar armies sent William a pair of Nikes. They against a backdrop of snow-capped of Sudanese ‘Lost Boys’ roamed the changed his life: "The day those mountains and sparkling Pacific countryside, sometimes being shoes arrived," he recalls, "I was the waves, is truly a city of tomorrow. recruited by the guerrillas as child King." Southern Sudan, on the other hand, soldiers and porters, and always couldn’t be a starker contrast: an arid searching for a place of safety. Their Brave new world place of constant suffering and saga became one of the most Soon more good fortune came death, of gaunt, sticklike figures famous stories in refugee history, a William’s way. The following year, he silhouetted endlessly in single file tragedy of huge proportions and at was chosen by a visiting Canadian against huge African skies. the same time a heroic tale of immigration official for permanent survival. resettlement. He was just 21 years Trying to bridge the seemingly old when he landed at Vancouver unbridgeable gap between the two More long marches airport in the summer of 1998. It vastly different worlds is 26-year-old In fact William was forced to was like entering a wondrous new William Kolong Pioth. undergo two further long marches. "I world in some distant galaxy. took my clothes off and walked Shopping was a totally alien concept The odyssey begins naked," he remembers. "There were that required immediate mastery. "I William’s unlikely journey from East people killing boys just for their didn’t know where to start" he said Africa the western Canada began in clothes". Eventually he reached as he recalled his bafflement when 1983, when his parents and elders of Kakuma refugee camp, in the harsh, presented with a cash allowance to Sudan’s Dinka tribe decided that he semi-arid northern corner of Kenya, purchase foodstuff and basic had to be rescued from the civil war where he learned English in a mud- necessities. then ravaging parts of Africa’s largest Having spent so much of his life in a am the son of somebody!" through. "It was amazing that I had refugee camp environment, William exclaimed William, who last saw his the same rights as other people -- was used to having rations provided parents when he was nine. Though rights that I never thought I would for him. his years in Canada have been the ever have in my life". most wonderful of his life, the only Indeed, so daunting was the thing that has marred them is not Planning for the future prospect of shopping, that at first having his parents. He has tried He insists that the most important William stayed mostly indoors. unsuccessfully through the Red aspect of his new life is the enduring Once, after successfully transacting Cross to find them but "I can’t tell sense of feeling protected. It is a the purchase of a chicken, the next you anything about my family," he sense of security that allows him to hurdle was how to cook it. The said. "Even if my mom were sitting lead a normal life – to go to school, to unfamiliar-looking electric stove did right here, I wouldn’t recognize her." have a job, to travel freely and to plan not promise results, so he and his Sudanese companions ventured out to the same corner store in an unsuccessful attempt to purchase charcoal. When the settlement worker visited them the next day, William said "We’re doing okay -- apart from getting charcoal for cooking".

Handling the telephone correctly took a couple of weeks, as did the TV remote control. William laughs when he relates how intimidated he was by the word power on the remote control. "I knew what the word meant because I could read, but it conveyed a scary sense like it could blow up!"

Catch 22 While resettlement agency staff helped William and another Sudanese refugee find permanent lodging, obtaining work was another

matter. New arrivals often complain ©UNHCR / B. Dennehy of the ‘Canadian Experience’ conundrum: you need experience to Full citizenship for the future. On this latter point, get a job – and you need a job to get In 2002, William was welcomed as a William marvels at the fact that at his experience. William set to work Canadian citizen. He studied hard for company, he has a life insurance stocking supermarket shelves to get his citizenship exam, which all plan. "Canadians plan ahead" he the ‘Canadian Experience’, and eligible permanent residents are exclaims. "In Africa you live day-by- today he is a handyman in the required to pass. Shortly after the day. I never knew anybody who had building maintenance section of a exam, he received a letter to attend a life insurance plan back in Africa! large shopping mall. a ceremony to take his oath of But over here, I am 100 percent sure citizenship. William said he had that I will be alive tomorrow – I am Kindness difficulty grasping the concept of planning for things that are 25 years William is constantly struck by how being a "real Canadian", and was not from now!" he enthused. caring Canadians are. He recounts entirely convinced that the how when he first arrived, an elderly seemingly insignificant credit card- Judith Kumin, Nanda Na Champassak couple in a park engaged him in sized identity card entitled him to be Refugees Magazine conversation, interested to know treated as a Canadian. He decided to where he was from. The couple put it to the test by driving to the called him "son" in that casual way Canada-USA border. Fully prepared that seniors often employ. This to be stopped and turned back, he touched him deeply. "I really felt like I found himself allowed to proceed NOLVIA DOMINGUEZ SKJETNE

Nolvia Dominguez Skjetne Dominguez Skjetne

FROM PERSECUTION IN POST- In the early part of the decade, while Although mostly engaged in ALLENDE CHILE TO CITY many asylum seekers were fleeing Norwegian politics, Nolvia never COUNCIL ELECTION IN Chile, Nolvia became one of the forgot Chile, and lobbied for General NORWAY. leaders of the Associacion de Pinochet’s extradition and trial. In September 1973 the army Com- exilados latinoamericanos en Oslo mander in Chief, General Augusto (Association of Latin American Exiles Nolvia married a Norwegian, and Pinochet led a military coup which in Oslo). Her contributions included today feels at home in both cultures. ousted Salvador Allende in Chile, assisting a Norwegian lawyer by Her son, a successful break-dancer, who in 1970 became the first providing useful information about moved to Denmark to pursue his Marxist in history to be elected the Chilean political situation. During career, while Nolvia herself founded President of a country by popular this period she also founded the and manages her own kindergarten. vote. As a consequence of the coup Norwegian branch of the She served as a member for the City Nolvia Dominguez Skjetne, who had Committee for Defending People’s Council until last year, when the been active in left wing politics, was Rights (CODEPU). pressures of a family illness forced fired from her job, and her husband, her to give up her political activities who was a member of the workers’ Before long Nolvia became active in for a while – but this energetic, union, was executed. Norwegian politics. She joined the dedicated woman has still Sosialistisk Venstreparti, the somehow found the time to open In 1980 Nolvia was arrested by the Norwegian Socialist Party, and in and manage a second day care Chilean intelligence service. Later 1990 she became the first female centre. Truly Chile’s loss has been she suffered health consequences immigrant to be elected at the City Norway’s gain! due to this period of detention. Soon Council in Oslo. Focusing her afterwards she decided to flee Chile attention on cultural matters, she Source: UNHCR Stockholm with her 10-year-old son to Norway, also concerned herself with where she was granted refugee immigration issues, while also acting status in November 1980. While in as a role model for other refugees Norway she decided to fight against and immigrants in Norway. the military and defend human rights in Chile, and she also continued to support her party, the Movimiento de Izquierda Revolucionaria (MIR). "NO PLACE LIKE HOME." ESPECIALLY THE SECOND TIME AROUND

A Rwandan physician’s ten year journey from home … to home Dr. Joseph Nsengiyumva can’t suppress a smile: "No," he says, "there’s no place like home." And he certainly should know. Because he’s back from a long and harrowing journey from his home in Butare in Rwanda…to Butare. It was a journey that lasted ten long years.

Escape from genocide It all started back in 1994. Married and with a 2-year old daughter, Joseph Nsengiyumva was a medical student in Rwanda’s university town of Butare, con- fidently looking forward to quali- fying as a doctor. Suddenly everything came unglued as year of political turmoil culmi- nated in genocide that left ©UNHCR / T. Bølstad / 11.1994 millions dead, and made millions Internally displaced persons’ camp, Rwanda more orphans and refugees. Joseph and his friends and family gathered a few belong- ings and fled towards Gikongoro, run the gauntlet of militia he met a priest whom he’d known today the site of a poignant me- roadblocks and extortion. Hungry in Butare, and who offered him morial to the thousands of and broke, they arrived to a $40 – not much, but enough to Rwandans who were slaughtered scene that Joseph today sums keep his family alive. there while seeking refuge in a up in one short word: panic. school. From here a lucky few, including 2 million on the move his sister and brother-in-law, At that time Gikongoro was the Word was spreading that the were taken into France. "They site of a camp for Rwandan govern- had studied and trained in IDPs, internally ‘‘Ultimately, re- ment had made a France many years earlier," displaced persons. fugees must be decision to function remembers Joseph. "Maybe Here the family helped to restart in exile, and was that’s why they were accepted." was fortunate to calling on citizens to Others were granted asylum in be fed by the Red their lives, either go with them. This Belgium, Canada and the US. Cross for a week by returning created a massive But not Joseph. He and his before being moved home or starting movement of two family were left to fend for on to Cyangugu, a afresh in a new million civilians, many themselves in Bukavu, where lakeside town bor- weighed down by there was no shelter, no toilet dering both the country’’ the doors and and no potable water. Today, Democratic Repub- Ruud Lubbers windows, chickens Lake Kivu is once again the lic of the Congo and pots that they picturesque pearl of the Great (then Zaire) and Burundi. On the thought they would need. Joseph Lakes Region. way the family, packed into an crossed the border towards the overcrowded minibus, had to Congolese town of Bukavu, where But for the fleeing refugees in realized that if they stayed, they’d In October 2003, hearing that 1994, its waters were used for be forgotten, so they stubbornly Rwanda was organizing bathing, drinking and waste refused to leave the truck. Recall elections, Joseph, and got in disposal. Joseph, "We stayed on the truck touch with UNHCR in order to for two days. One or two of us be repatriated. After several They move on again, this time to would leave it and cook just next postponed trips, he finally Uvira in DRC, where the to the truck. The driver couldn’t moved back to Butare … back exhausted family took a ferry make us leave, so he had to take where it all began. across to Kigoma in Tanzania us back to Lusaka." There they and on to Mpulungu in Zambia. soon found themselves in a camp "They laughed when I said I Thinking that their chances with refugees from Angola, was going back home." would be better in the capital, Mozambique and Uganda. Today he feels that everything in Joseph first made his way with Rwanda has changed, positively, the family to the railhead at Kapiri They started to settle into their despite the outside media Mposhi. They then took a train to new life in Zambia. Most of which, he believes, tends to Lusaka – and walked in to their their group were professionals depict Rwanda in a very first major problem: they were who wanted to work and negative way. Indeed, "geno- promptly arrested. Fortunately integrate, and their first step cide" is still synonymous with the police quickly understood was to learn English. Joseph the country. But Joseph was their plight, gave them food and describes their Zambian hosts pleasantly surprised to find that drink, and then took them to as very hospitable and helpful. life is normal again, that people UNHCR. "They were kind," says A Catholic priest quickly helped work and enjoy themselves, and Joseph. "They promised to take him find his first job, and soon there’s peace and development us to Maheba, in the North West, he was employed in the hospital – something that’s difficult to where there was a camp with pharmacy. explain to Rwandan refugees schools and hospitals." still outside the country. "They Medical school again laughed at me when I said I was "We stayed on the truck for Joseph still wanted to become a going back home," he chuckles. two days" doctor; he applied for a scholar- UNHCR provided a truck for the ship in Lusaka and six months Dr. Nsengiyumva now earns trip. But Maheba, a cold forest later was accepted, even though almost as much as he did in area with no hospital or school in he had to repeat a year. Finally, after Zambia, and when asked what sight, was hardly the paradise years of hard study, he became advice he has for Rwandan they hoped for: "We would have Doctor Joseph Nsengiyumva, and people living outside the had to cut down trees just to soon he was working in the country, he thinks for a moment find room for our tents!" They university. and says "Coming home is not for everyone. Some people have successful businesses that they cannot abandon." He pauses. "But those in camps should come back." Even though the people in Zambia were kind and friendly, it was Refugee label that he badly wanted to shake off.

And he has. Back home again in Butare, Joseph has friends and family. He is settled and happy. He smiles again: "There really is no place like home!"

Caroline Mwangi UNHCR Rwanda

Dr. Joseph Nsengiyumva, Rwandan returnee. ©UNHCR / C. Mwangi NO PAINT, NO GAIN

An Afghan artist’s journey from exile to integration Afghan artist Akbar Kurasani, a former refugee now naturalized in , has donated to UNHCR a work drawn on his own experience, in appreciation of the refugee agency's assistance over the years.

The painting, titled Refugees, is now displayed in UNHCR's office in the Ukranian capital, Kyiv. It portrays refugees holding babies who don't want to leave; small, almost invisible roads they have to choose between; and Akbar's own road – the green one that leads to the green city of Kyiv.

Receiving the painting on Tuesday, Guy Ouellet, UNHCR's Regional Representative in Belarus, Moldova ©UNHCR and Ukraine, said, "For UNHCR staff, the best reward is to see that Akbar Kurasani refugees are rebuilding their lives. Our job is to give refugees the Born in the mountains of Uruzgan in 2002 was he able to afford a opportunity to do so, and years of province in central Afghanistan, small, separate apartment. lobbying and negotiations with the Akbar discovered art when he was Ukrainian Parliament and Presidential drafted into the army in Kabul. He Naturalization Administration have brought practical attended art classes at the Soviet The artist became a Ukrainian citizen results – refugees can now get Union Informational and Cultural in July 2003 under a revised citizenship in Ukraine and integrate in Centre, where a Moscow artist citizenship law that allows refugees the country." taught him to paint. to be naturalized after three years of residence in the country. As of 1 As a refugee "you feel like a yo-yo" Help from UNHCR March 2004, more than 230 Akbar added, "I am very grateful to In 1986, Akbar was sent to study refugees – mostly Afghans – have UNHCR for its protection. Nobody art in Ukraine. But before he could benefited from this scheme since it likes to be a refugee, you feel like a yo- finish his education, the Taliban was introduced in 2001. Over the yo – everybody can play with your life took over Afghanistan, effectively years, Akbar has integrated into and you are dependent on somebody preventing him from going home. Ukrainian society and become part of else's decision. When I became a UNHCR intervened to prevent him its art scene, holding numerous Ukraine national, I felt much more from getting evicted from his personal exhibitions in the last five confident and independent. I now dormitory at the art academy, years. He also has paintings in private hold my destiny in my own hands." provided him with legal advice and collections in Europe, the United helped promote his works through States and Asia. For the 43-year-old artist, it has awareness-raising exhibitions. been a case of ‘no paint, no gain’: But his heart remains in "Art saved me from insanity, which When the Migration Service of Afghanistan. Akbar has been trying has overtaken many of my Ukraine started the refugee status to trace his internally displaced compatriots during the endless determination process in 1996, mother and family, and hopes to and absurd civil war," he said, Akbar was recognized as a go back to his homeland soon. In referring to decades of unrest in refugee. By now a professional fact, he dreams of designing Afghanistan. "The place I was from artist, he continued living in his housing projects for returnees so is beautiful, but probably there is nine square metre dormitory that one day, exiles like himself will nothing left there. Everything is room, sleeping beside 300 have a home to go back to. ruined after so many years of paintings -- and developing murderous war." allergies to the paint fumes. Only UNHCR News Stories ©UNHCR/N.Prokopchuk ©UNHCR / C.Shirley / 12.1999 APPENDICES APPENDIX I: STATISTICS

PERSONS OF CONCERN TO UNHCR – BY REGION

Region Total of Concern Total of Concern 1st January 2002* 1st January 2003

Asia 8,820,700 9,378,900 Africa 4,152,300 4,593,200 Europe 4,855,400 4,403,900 North America 1,086,800 1,061,200 Latin America & Caribbean 765,400 1,050,300 Oceania 81,300 69,200 TOTAL 19,761,900 20,556,700

* Revised year-end figures.

ORIGIN OF MAJOR REFUGEE POPULATIONS IN 2002 [ Ten largest groups1 ]

Country of Origin 2 Main Countries of Asylum Total

Afghanistan Pakistan / Iran 2,481,000 Burundi Tanzania /D.R. Congo 574,000 Sudan Uganda / Ethiopia / D.R. Congo / Kenya / Central African Rep. 505,200 Angola Zambia / D.R. Congo / Namibia / Congo 433,000 Kenya / Yemen / Ethiopia / United Kingdom / USA / Djibouti 429,000 Democratic Rep. Congo Tanzania / Congo / Zambia / Burundi / Rwanda 415,000 Iraq Iran / Germany / Netherlands / Sweden 401,000 Bosnia-Herzegovina Serbia-Montenegro / USA / Sweden / Denmark / Netherlands 372,000 Viet Nam China / USA 348,000 Eritrea Sudan / Ethiopia 316,000

1 More than 4 million Palestinians who are covered by a separate mandate of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) are not included in this report. However, Palestinians outside the UNRWA area of operations such as those in Iraq or Libya, are considered to be of concern to UNHCR. At year-end their number was 428,710. 2 This table includes UNHCR estimates for nationalities in industrialized countries on the basis of recent refugee arrivals and recognition. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF REFUGEES AND TOTAL PERSONS OF CONCERN TO UNHCR WORLDWIDE1 (All figures as at 31 December of each given year)

Year Refugees Total population of concern

1980 8,439,000 — 1981 9,696,000 — 1982 10,300,000 — 1983 10,602,000 — 1984 10,710,000 — 1985 11,844,000 — 1986 12,614,000 — 1987 13,103,000 — 1988 14,319,000 — 1989 14,706,000 — 1990 17,370,000 — 1991 16,829,000 — 1992 17,798,500 — 1993 16,280,100 — 1994 15,703,100 — 1995 14,860,600 — 1996 13,317,400 — 1997 11,966,200 19,741,000 1998 11,429,700 19,827,700 1999 11,625,700 20,503,200 2000 12,062,500 21,800,300 2001 12,029,900 19,761,000 2002 10,389,700 20,556,700

1Includes revised year-end figures. PERSONS OF CONCERN TO UNHCR – BY CATEGORY

Asylum Returned Internally Stateless TOTAL Region Refugees seekers refugees displaced* and various 1ST JAN. 2003 Asia 4,188,100 28,900 1,995,700 2,940,600 225,700 9,378,900 Africa 3,343,700 159,600 345,300 715,100 29,600 4,593,200 Europe 2,136,300 366,800 84,000 1,171,500 645,400 4,403,900 North America 615,100 446,100 — — — 1,061,200 Latin America 41,100 9,100 — 950,000 50,100 1,050,300 & Caribbean Oceania 65,400 3,900 — — — 69,200 TOTAL 10,389,700 1,014,400 2,425,000 5,777,200 950,800 20,556,700 *Includes 1.1 million IDPs who returned home in 2002

MAJOR REFUGEE ARRIVALS DURING 2002

Origin Main countries of asylum Total Sierra Leone / Guinea / Côte d’Ivoire 105,000 D.R. Congo Burundi / Tanzania / Zambia 39,000 Burundi Tanzania 29,000 Somalia Yemen / Kenya 24,000 Côte d’Ivoire Liberia / Guinea 22,000 Central African Rep. Chad / Congo 20,000 Nigeria Cameroon 17,000 Sudan Uganda / Kenya / Central African Rep. 16,000 Angola Zambia / D.R. Congo 8,000 Rwanda Uganda / Tanzania 6,000 1 Ten largest movements. TABLE

MAJOR VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION MOVEMENTS [ in 2002, by destination1 ]

To From (Country of Origin) (Main Countries of Asylum) Total Afghanistan Pakistan / Iran 1,958,000 Angola Zambia / D.R. Congo / Namibia 88,000 Sierra Leone Guinea / Liberia 76,000 Burundi Tanzania / D.R. Congo 54,000 Rwanda Tanzania / D.R. Congo 39,000 Bosnia-Herzegovina Serbia-Montenegro / Croatia / Sweden / Germany 42,000 Somalia Ethiopia / Djibouti 32,000 Timor-Leste Indonesia 32,000 Liberia Côte d’Ivoire 22,000 Eritrea Sudan 20,000

1 Ten largest movements. TABLE7 MAIN COUNTRIES OF BASIC FACTS RESETTLEMENT OF [ as of 1st July 2003 ] REFUGEES [ in 2002 ]

United States 26,300 ● Number of UNHCR offices worldwide including Headquarters: 251 in 115 countries Canada 10,400 ● UNHCR staff members, including short-term staff: 6,235

Australia 9,200 ● Staff members in the field: 5,325 (85% of total)

● Norway 1,200 Ratio of staff members to people of concern to UNHCR: 1 per 3,300 ● Total UNHCR budget for 2003: US$ 1.16 billion Sweden 1,000 ● Total budget for 2002: US$ 1.06 billion New Zealand 670 ● Number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working as implementing partners in July 2003: 514 Finland 570 ● Total number of NGOs as implementing partners in 2002: 573 Denmark 490 ● States party to the 1951 Convention and/or to the 1967 Protocol: 145 Netherlands 160

Ireland 23 1 Source: Governments.

NUMBERS AT A GLANCE ● The global refugee population and Latin America 1 million each dropped sharply from 12 million to (10%) and Oceania 69,200 (0.3%). ● At the start of the year 2003, 10.4 million, principally because of the number of people of concern the return of nearly 2 million ● The number of asylum to UNHCR was 20.6 million. They Afghans from neighbouring applications submitted during included 10.4 million refugees Pakistan and Iran. 2002 or still pending totalled 1.0 (51%), 1.0 million asylum seekers million compared with 940,000 in (5%), 2.4 million returned refugees ● However, the number of 2001. Reflecting new global (12%), 5.8 million internally people receiving assistance once political and military realities, Iraqi displaced persons (28%) and they had gone back home— nationals were the largest single 951,000 others of concern (4%). returnees—shot up from 462,000 group of claimants while the in 2001 to 2.4 million in 2002. number of Afghans seeking ● The figure of 20.6 million asylum dropped by more than 50 uprooted persons was a slight ● There were 293,000 new percent. increase compared with 19.8 refugees registered in 2002, a million the previous year. It drop of 69% compared with the ● Overall, major refugee hosting reflected modest demographic, previous year. Major exoduses countries are: Iran (UNHCR legal and administrative occurred from Liberia (105,000), estimate: 1.3 million), Pakistan adjustments and several important the Democratic Republic of Congo (UNHCR estimate: 1.2 million), trends: a huge increase in the (39,000), Burundi (29,000), Germany (980,000), Tanzania number of uprooted people Somalia (24,000) Côte d’Ivoire (690,000), United States (UNHCR returning home, a dramatic fall in (22,000) and Central African estimate: 485,000), Serbia and the number of new refugees, but Republic (20,000). Montenegro (350,000), Demo- an equally large increase in the cratic Republic of Congo number of people needing ● Asia hosted nearly half of all the (330,000), Sudan (330,000), China continued assistance once they people of concern to UNHCR, 9.4 (300,000) and Armenia (250,000). returned home and began million people or 46%, followed by rebuilding their lives. Africa 4.6 million (22%), Europe 4.4 million (21%), North America APPENDIX II: UNHCR MISSION STATEMENT

Hungarians resettled in Europe from Austria ©UNHCR

UNHCR, the United Nations UNHCR’s Executive Committee In its efforts to protect refugees refugee agency, is mandated by and the UN General Assembly and to promote solutions to their the United Nations to lead and have also authorized the orga- problems, UNHCR works in coordinate international action for nization’s involvement with other partnership with governments, the world-wide protection of groups. These include people who regional organizations, international refugees and the resolution of are stateless or whose nationality is and non-governmental organizations. refugee problems. UNHCR’s disputed and, in certain circum- UNHCR is committed to the primary purpose is to safeguard the stances, internally displaced persons. principle of participation by rights and well-being of refugees. consulting refugees on decisions UNHCR strives to ensure that UNHCR seeks to reduce situations that affect their lives. everyone can exercise the right to of by seek asylum and find safe refuge in encouraging states and other By virtue of its activities on behalf another state, and to return home institutions to create conditions of refugees and displaced people, voluntarily. which are conducive to the UNHCR also promotes the protection of human rights and the purposes and principles of the By assisting refugees to return to peaceful resolution of disputes. In United Nations Charter: main- their own country or to settle in pursuit of the same objective, taining international peace and another country, UNHCR also UNHCR actively seeks to security; developing friendly seeks lasting solutions to their consolidate the reintegration of relations among nations; and plight. returning refugees in their country encouraging respect for human of origin, thereby averting the rights and fundamental freedoms. UNHCR’s efforts are mandated by recurrence of refugee-producing the organization’s Statute, and situations. guided by the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status UNHCR offers protection and of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. assistance to refugees and others International refugee law provides in an impartial manner, on the basis an essential framework of of their need and irrespective of principles for UNHCR’s huma- their race, religion, political opinion nitarian activities. or gender. In all of its activities, UNHCR pays particular attention to the needs of children and seeks to promote the equal rights of women and girls. APPENDIX III: STATUTE OF THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES Chapter I General Provisions 1. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, acting under the authority of the General Assembly, shall assume the function of providing international protection, under the auspices of the United Nations, to refugees who fall within the scope of the present Statute and of seeking permanent solutions for the problem of refugees by assisting Governments and, subject to the approval of the Governments concerned, private organizations to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of such refugees, or their assimilation within new national communities. In the exercise of his functions, more particularly when difficulties arise, and for instance with regard to any controversy concerning the international status of these persons, the High Commissioner shall request the opinion of the advisory committee on refugees if it is created.

2. The work of the High Commissioner shall be of an entirely non-political character; it shall be humanitarian and social and shall relate, as a rule, to groups and categories of refugees.

3. The High Commissioner shall follow policy directives given him by the General Assembly or the Economic and Social Council.

4. The Economic and Social Council may decide, after hearing the views of the High Commissioner on the subject, to establish an advisory committee on refugees, which shall consist of representatives of States Members and States non- members of the United Nations, to be selected by the Council on the basis of their demonstrated interest in and devotion to the solution of the refugee problem.

5. The General Assembly shall review, not later than at its eighth regular session, the arrangements for the Office of the High Commissioner with a view to determining whether the Office should be continued beyond 31 December 1953. APPENDIX IV: THE 1951 UN REFUGEE CONVENTION

protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence ... is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it ...

Article 33 —Prohibition of expulsion or return (‘refoulement’) 1. No Contracting State shall expel or return (‘refouler’) a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion ...

The refugee definition contained in the 1951 Convention was limited to persons who became refugees "as a result of events occurring before 1 January 1951". The time limitation, however, was subsequently removed by Article I(2) of the After years in a German refugee camp, this family

©UNHCR 1953 1967 Protocol to the Convention. prepares to resettle to New Zealand and begin a When becoming a party to the new life. 1951 Convention, states also had the possibility of making a Soon after the Second World sets out international standards for declaration limiting their obli- War, as the refugee problem had the treatment of refugees. It gations under the Convention to not been solved, the need was embodies principles that promote refugees from events occurring felt for a new international and safeguard refugees’ rights in in Europe. instrument to define the legal the fields of employment, status of refugees. Instead of ad education, resistance, freedom of The 1951 UN Refugee Conven- hoc agreements adopted in movement, access to courts, tion – along with its 1967 Protocol – relation to specific refugee naturalization and, above all, the is still the most important, and situations, there was a call for an security against return to a country the only universal, instrument of instrument containing a general where they may risk persecution. international refugee law. By 1 definition of who was to be Two of the most important February 2004, 138 states had considered a refugee. The 1951 provisions are found in Articles 1 acceded to both the 1951 Con- Convention Relating to the Status and 33: vention and its 1967 Protocol, of Refugees was adopted by the and 145 states had ratified either United Nations Conference on the Article 1 —Definition of the one or both of these instruments. Status of Refugees and Stateless term ‘refugee ’ State of the World’s Refugees 2000 Persons held in Geneva on 2 - 25 A(2) [Any person who ] ....owing Handbook on Procedures and Criteria for July 1951. It was opened for to well-founded fear of being Determining Refugee Status under the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the signature on 28 July and entered persecuted for reasons of race, Status of Refugees HCR/IP/4/Eng/REV.1 into force on 22 April 1954. religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or The Convention spells out the political opinion, is outside the obligations and rights of ref- country of his nationality and is ugees, and the obligations of unable or, owing to such fear, is states towards refugees. It also unwilling to avail himself of the APPENDIX V: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Asylum is a place of safety, a refuge. Human rights are rights to which every Repatriation is the act of someone International law states that the individual person is entitled. Rights that are laid returning to his or her home country. has the right to seek sanctuary in another down in law are called legal rights. In This can be an enforced policy (known as country, if that individual is in danger in some countries, human rights are not refoulement), or people can repatriate the country of origin. respected. Human rights are universal voluntarily, often with the help of moral rights. They apply to all people, at UNHCR. Asylum seeker is a person who has all times and in all situations. The most crossed an international border and important international human rights law Returnee is a person who ceased to be asked for asylum in another country. An is the Universal Declaration of Human a refugee after returning voluntarily to his/ asylum seeker has asked for protection Rights. This was adopted by the UN her country or origin to re-establish his/ and the right not to be returned to a General Assembly in 1948. her residence there. country where he or she would face danger. If refugee status is given to that Humanitarian describes the concern for United Nations (UN): An international person, he or she has the right to stay in the well-being of humankind. assembly of countries to maintain world the new country as long as is needed. peace and security and to promote Internally displaced persons (IDP) are cultural, social and economic Civil war is a war between different people who have been forced to flee cooperation. It was established in 1945 groups of people in the same country. their homes because of war or other and has more than 190 members. dangers. Unlike refugees, they do not Durable solution is any means by cross international boundaries but remain UN Country Team is composed of the which the situation of refugees can be in their own country. There are no UN funds and programmes, specialized satisfactorily and permanently resolved specific international human right laws to agencies and other UN entities to enable them to live normal lives. protect them. accredited to a given country. The main UNHCR traditionally pursues three objective of the Country Team system is durable solutions: voluntary repatriation, Mandate is the authority is given to a to ensure that a coherent approach is local integration in the country of asylum body or organization to carry out specific taken by UN bodies in their collective and resettlement in a third country. policies. response to humanitarian, development, and other strategies relevant to the Ethnic group is a group of people who Non-governmental organization country in which they are operating. think of themselves as being of the (NGO) is a voluntary organization, not same kind; they may share a variety of run by government. UNHCR: The Office of the United features, such as race, culture, nationality Nations High Commissioner for and religion. Persecution generally refers to any Refugees was established in 1950 by severe violation of human rights. In the the United Nations General Assembly General Assembly of the United refugee context, "persecution" refers to and is mandated to lead and co-ordinate Nations is the main deliberative organ of any act by which fundamental rights are international action to protect and resolve the United Nations. It is composed of severely violated for reasons of race, refugee problems worldwide. representatives of all Member States, religion, nationality, political opinion or each of which has one vote. Decisions membership of a particular social group. UN Refugee Convention, 1951: The on important questions such as those on most important legal agreement peace and security, admission of new Refoulement is the removal of a person concerned with refugees: it provides a members and budgetary matters, to a territory where she/he would be at definition of the term ‘refugee’, and sets require a two-thirds majority. Decisions risk of being persecuted, or of being out minimum standards for their on other questions are reached by a moved to another territory where she/he treatment. simple majority. would face persecution. Refoulement constitutes a violation of the principle of Host country is the country to which non-refoulement, and is therefore a asylum seekers have fled. breach of refugee law and of customary international law.

Refugee is a person who flees his or her country because of a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group. A refugee either cannot return home, or is afraid to do so.