Update 5 240903 Xd.Pub

No. 5, Fall, 2003 LATEST DEVELOPMENTS UNHCR mourns loss of Sergio Vieira de Mello and other UN ♦ UNHCR mourns loss of Sergio Vieira de colleagues Mello and other UN colleagues Colombia Situation UNHCR staff (UNOHCI) since last ♦ An alliance is born in Colombia members around April. ♦ IDP return in Colombia: Breaking the the world mourn blockage in Cugucho UNHCR offices across the loss of UN col- the Americas joined ♦ Child pedagogy and protection project leagues killed in reaches the heart of Colombia other UN agencies in Baghdad on organizing memorial ♦ United Nations Volunteers in the Colombia August 19. High operation ceremonies. In Commissioner ♦ F1 racer experiences fast-track documen- Argentina, nearly 100 tation for displaced Colombians Ruud Lubbers people turned up at an expressed his ♦ Peruvian Congress approves bill on IDPs ecumenical ceremony shock and grief at ♦ Ecuador striving to keep up with growing held on UNHCR refugee applications the tragic death of Sergio Vieira de Mello premises. The ♦ Venezuela establishes Refugee Commis- Secretary-General (OHCHR) Brazilian Ambassador sion Kofi Annan's and Sergio Vieira de ♦ Refugee children can expect to receive Special Representative for Iraq, Mello’s friends and colleagues greater protection in Venezuela Sergio Vieira de Mello and other also emphasized the need to carry ♦ Quick impact projects help refugee- colleagues. receiving communities on with the humanitarian legacy Mexico and Central America "Sergio Vieira de Mello and his he leaves behind. team were the best the United ♦ The Mexican Government commits to pro- UNHCR Representative Flor moting refugee legislation Nations had to offer, all of them Rojas announced a proposal for ♦ UNHCR participates in the regional migra- colleagues devoted to the UN's tion conference the creation of a government- humanitarian mission, paying the sponsored Sergio Vieira de Mello ♦ UNHCR and Ministry of Labor sign agree- ultimate price in the process," ment in Costa Rica Chair for the dissemination of High Commissioner Lubbers said. ♦ Public outreach activities for refugees in human rights, refugee law and Costa Rica The loss of Sergio Vieira de Mello international humanitarian law in Southern Latin America was particularly painful for Brazilian universities, which has ♦ New information materials for asylum UNHCR staff members who been welcomed by Brazilian seekers and refugees in Argentina shared tough challenges and authorities. ♦ Resettlement project in Chile: two years difficult decisions with him in the later In Costa Rica, the University of field or in Geneva. Mr. Vieira de ♦ Refugees in Sao Paulo express them- Costa Rica has agreed to name a selves through art Mello first joined the UN refugee new interdisciplinary course which ♦ One year into the micro-credit program in agency in Bangladesh in 1969, focuses on the protection of Argentina and remained with it for much of civilians during armed conflict and Canada, United States and the Caribbean his career. displacement, in Sergio Vieira de ♦ Reception and integration handbook avail- Mello's honor. able in French In his 33 years with the United Nations, he served in a number of ♦ Separated Minors Advisory Committee is In Venezuela, UNHCR created hotspots, including Cambodia, participated in a widely attended ♦ Mid-year statistical snapshot Mozambique, Sudan, the Great religious ceremony in the Caracas ♦ Resettlement handbook available in Lakes, East Timor and Kosovo, Cathedral organized by the French before being appointed UN High Ombudsman's Office and presided ♦ Somali Bantu arrive in the US Commissioner for Human Rights over by the Archbishop of ♦ Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie in 2002. He was on a four-month Caracas. It also organized an lobbies for unaccompanied minors act leave of absence from that post intimate religious ceremony for World Refugee Day Activities while on mission in Iraq. colleagues within the UN System. Staff members also grieve the Offices in Costa Rica, Colombia Media Relations death of former UNHCR (which was opened following Mr. Public Information Service colleague Seyed Reza Hosseini, Vieira de Mello's recommendation [email protected] who served as Field Assistant in in December 1997), and Mexico, Tel.: (41 22) 739 85 02 Iran from 1993 to 2000. He had also organized varied tributes Fax: (41 22) 739 73 15 been working for the United along with other UN agencies. In the US, a memorial was planned www.unhcr.org Nations Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq for September. L www.acnur.org An alliance is born in Colombia organizations quickly expressed interest in joining the alliance. The intervention; and to begin working UNHCR’s proposal for the "General Board", held its first on the participation of the alliance creation of a broad Humanitarian meeting at the beginning of July, in awareness-building events like Alliance in Colombia went public less than two weeks after the "Peace Week" promoted every this June. UNHCR Representative announcement was made. year by the Catholic Church and Francisco Galindo Vélez launched Academics, non-governmental several Colombian non- the proposal at the World Social and business organizations, and governmental organizations. Forum meeting, taking place in even a former Colombian Minister Work is still in the planning stage, Cartagena. of Foreign Affairs participated. The but the new Humanitarian Alliance The aim of the alliance is to go wave continued to move fast, and is consolidating itself at an beyond the boundaries of the a coordination committee was impressive pace. It is too early to United Nations system in formed to plan further actions. tell what the outcome will be, but coordinating efforts to find ways to When the Board met again at the participants and many onlookers L alleviate the suffering of millions of beginning of August, it decided to have high hopes. internally displaced (IDP) create six task groups, each with a Colombians and of Colombians different function: "mapping" besieged by the conflict. actions in favor of IDPs by Mr. Galindo had previously different members of the alliance discussed the proposal with in order to facilitate future several business leaders, coordination of those actions; government officials and strengthening IDP organizations; academics. So when it went studying possible initiatives by the public, many individuals and private sector; discussing ways of improving the impact of state Internally displaced persons in Colombia (UNHCR / G. Fayoux)

Breaking the blockage in Cugucho, Colombia heard the same complaints from everyone: there is no fuel, no gas, Two years ago, eleven pigs are fed. At 6 p.m. they no sugar, no salt, no cooking oil in communities in the Upper Baudó brought 10 pounds of rice for us to Upper Baudó. Most of the towns Basin (department of Chocó in the cook. At 8 p.m., we were split into have electric power plants which west of Colombia) were forced out three groups to spend the night. stopped running long ago, and of their towns by the threats of a The next day they left at 10 a.m. which have never been repaired paramilitary group. Residents When we went to our houses, they because technicians do not dare living in the community of had stolen all our food." to go there. The situation has Cugucho were among the few become so desperate that people who stayed after the incidents of The blockade is also affecting other communities. As of may feel forced to flee once again, June 4, 2001. The town has paid a and soon. heavy price: a permanent September, 2001, there had been economic blockade imposed by several government-organized UNHCR and OCHA have acted. A the paramilitaries who want to returns back to the Upper Baudó workshop was held in April where stop any food flowing to the ELN of people who were in precarious UNHCR provided Upper Baudó guerrilla fighters who hold conditions in the places they had inhabitants with training on positions at the northern end of fled to. These returnees were techniques for community the river. guaranteed help from the state organization and legal advice on (productive projects, health the rights of internally displaced This July, the paramilitaries visited assistance) but received little, and persons in Colombia. A Cugucho again. The town’s had to suffer from the blockade documentation campaign in inhabitants also talked to UNHCR instead. November is expected to enhance and OCHA staff members who The UNHCR and OCHA are the ability of these citizens to were on a joint mission to Upper claim their rights. The most Baudó at that time. supporting these communities of Cugucho, Chigorodó, Chachegó, important action, however, will be "The fighters arrived at around Santa Rita, and Bella Cecilia. "uncorking" the river through a 9:00 a.m.," one resident Humanitarian staff spoke to those stronger state presence that is recounted. "They locked us in a who had returned, those who had expected in the zone soon. In the house, more than 300 people. At 1 stayed, teachers, health workers meantime, UNHCR is considering p.m. they came with bananas that and community leaders. They providing humanitarian aid by boat they cooked and fed us the way to Upper Baudó. L - 2 - Child pedagogy and protection project reaches the heart of United Nations Volunteers in Colombia the Colombia operation

Two years into a UNHCR- leen says, "but it is also better ex- "When I first came here I fell in sponsored project in Colombia to perience for a teacher". love with the place. I thought it provide better opportunities to in- The project has three phases and would be tough though. I searched ternally displaced children in Soacha is only beginning Phase I. in Google for Apartadó, and it did school, and in a continued bid to This year, the project is mostly not exist." Those were Ana de la expand its scope throughout the working with individual teachers Varga's first impressions when country, the project has reached who volunteer one Saturday a she arrived at UNHCR’s Field Of- the heart of Colombia. month for project sessions, while fice in Apartadó (Urabá) in the Two hundred and twenty stu- their schools contribute by freeing northwest of Colombia, where the dents - all of them displaced - go them from work the previous day. violence of armed groups has left to the Promundo Activo School in Sessions are devoted to studying a deep mark. That was last Febru- the municipality of Soacha. All of the effects of displacement on ary, but "now I would not change their teachers, themselves stu- children, alternative pedagogic this for anything," she says. dents of education acquiring pro- strategies and different ap- Before Colombia, Anna worked for fessional practice, are also work- proaches to dealing with psycho- UNHCR as an intern in Geneva. ing with the project. logical and emotional problems. She was concerned by the plight of internally displaced people, and The goal next year is to institution- The Salesian Sisters both set up had read about the organization's alize as a priority, the reflection on and financed Promundo Activo, as work in Colombia. She applied to displacement and attention to its part of their interest in helping the United Nations Volunteers consequences on children’s edu- Soacha, the municipality next door Program (UNV), was accepted on cation. to Bogotá, to improve educational their roster and selected for a opportunities for internally dis- Meanwhile, those working on the UNV position in Colombia soon placed persons. A total of 4,300 project derive great satisfaction after. displaced persons were registered from knowing that children like Anna and thirteen other volunteers in Soacha in 2002. According to Luis Ariel, are now enjoying the Ombudsman’s Office, no more work in UNHCR’s six field offices school. Luis, who is 12, saw and locations throughout Colom- than 30% of the internally dis- armed men kill his uncle in Puerto placed children there have access bia and at the branch office in Bo- Rico (department of Meta). He gotá. to education, for which they are then spent a year and a half out of last in line. The psychological and the educational system. Now he is UNV is the volunteer agency of emotional problems of these chil- back at school thanks to the effort the United Nations, created in dren, coupled with the extreme of Promundo Activo, and receiving 1970 to serve as an operational poverty that their families are left an education focused on giving arm in development cooperation. in due to displacement, discour- him and other students like him, UNVs are required to have a uni- ages school administrations from hope. L versity degree and at least five accepting them. years of professional experience. The UNVs posted to Colombia The project has given Sharleen carry out very diverse tasks. Romero, one of the forty teachers These range from organizing at Promundo Activo, the documentation campaigns, to pro- tools she needs to educate viding IDPs with advice on legal her class about what they all issues or productive projects, and have in common and, to the organization of activities as equally important, what they different as breakfasts with jour- can have in common. nalists and theatrical perform- Games like "the kite" – each ances for displaced youth. one of whose sides symbol- UNHCR Colombia received its first ize features of the school UNV in 1999. Now, the fourteen they dream about - and sto- volunteers working with the ries she selects to read in agency throughout the country class, help students set have all become essential to its goals."It is harder to work work. Three more are expected to with these students", Shar- Edison (8) enjoys the facilities of Promundo arrive in the short term. (UNHCR / G. Valdivieso) Continued on page 5 - 3 - F1 racer experiences fast-track documentation for displaced Colombians

Top Formula 1 racing driver Juan Presenting Montoya with his ID sent in, the National Registry Pablo Montoya recently sat at the card was one way to celebrate the Office gives priority processing to wheel of a vehicle very different documentation campaign’s the applications from the from those he normally drives – a achievements: More than 60,000 displaced people and provides van specially designed to bring people have benefited so far in them with the actual documents in fast-track documentation to inter- 2003, breaking the mark set the just two months, compared to the nally displaced persons (IDPs) previous year. usual six to eight months. and other vulnerable people in the The documentation project Not all the campaigns of UNHCR- most remote areas of Colombia. launched in 2000 has allowed funded documentation projects The Colombian racing driver, who UNHCR to deal with the are carried out by land. To reach works with the United Nations to complexities of internal remote communities, registration help Colombians affected by four displacement in a country where teams sometimes have to rely on decades of internal conflict, was in laws and government institutions boats and even canoes. Docu- Bogotá recently to participate in are in place to handle mentation campaigns are about to an exhibition of some key UN pro- humanitarian issues, but whose stop for this year, as there will be grams. It was there that he was capacities do not match the elections in October and UNHCR introduced to the documentation magnitude of their mission. wants to emphasize the non- mobile unit, a key component of a According to humanitarian organi- electoral nature of its work. joint project between the UN zations, an estimated 50 percent There have been 27 refugee agency and Colombia’s of Colombians who were dis- placed in 2002 did not receive any documentation campaigns so far Registry Office that has brought in 2003, one for as few as 50 peo- documents to more than 160,000 government assistance for a number of reasons. ple in the Urabá region, another Colombians since 2000. for more than 18,000 in Bue- Montoya witnessed what the UNHCR’s partner, the National naventura. Particular needs vary mobile unit could do when he went Registry Office, is legally from place to place, but the through the documentation proc- responsible for providing identity general need for the ess and obtained his own ID card documents for Colombians, but of- documentation effort remains high in the vehicle. However, he is not ten lacks the means to do so in the country. The fact that the the typical target of such efficiently beyond the main cities, government acknowledged campaigns, which are aimed at or even in the poor areas outside 100,000 new internally displaced IDPs and communities at risk, the heart of those cities. That was persons in the first half of this year many of whom are subsistence the case in Buenaventura, suggests that many more farmers and indigenous people. Colombia’s most important port, Colombians will need UNHCR’s Some of them have never had where a massive campaign filled a help to get documents so that they documentation. Others lost theirs gap in documentation among IDPs can protect their rights amid what while fleeing the fighting between and vulnerable populations in has been described as "the most various armed groups. places far from the city center, severe humanitarian crisis in the "Documents are key in the where the influence of guerrilla western hemisphere". L emergency and the post and paramilitaries is evident. emergency periods," explained Under the project, displaced Ana Julieta Arguelles, UNHCR’s people can complete the coordinator for the project. "During whole application process in emergencies, internally displaced the mobile unit without having people need ID documents if they to leave their settlement. The want to request support from the vehicle is equipped to carry government – food and money to out fingerprinting and pay rent. But having documents is collection of personal data also a must when it comes to and to take photos to be used durable solutions. For example, on the ID cards. The local the campaign has helped IDPs to health department performs have access to special housing the required blood typing. projects designed for them." After all the information is Montoya at the wheel of UNHCR's mobile unit in Bogotá (UNHCR/W.Spindler)

- 4 - Continued from page 3 Peruvian Congress approves bill on IDPs UNHCR operations in the coun- tries neighboring Colombia benefit from the valuable support of both The Peruvian Congress Human approval from the executive national and international UNVs: Rights Commission organized a branch of the government of Peru. in Ecuador, there are currently public hearing to receive input Nevertheless, once signed by three international and two na- from interested civil society and the President and published in tional UNVs, and in Venezuela, government groups regarding the Official Gazette, this three international and five na- legislation on Internally Displaced legislative initiative will become tional UNVs are posted as Field, Persons (IDPs). UNHCR was a key legal instrument outlining Protection, Public Information and formally invited to assist the team the rights of IDPs in the Republic EDP Officers and Assistants. in presenting the Bill on July 7, of Peru. Having to cope with mosquitoes or to an audience of 250 people riding a mule for hours does not from different state institutions, The Bill is expected to provide bother Anna. She is not intimi- non-governmental organizations answers for the thousands of dated by the heat and humidity of and representatives of IDP displaced victims of terrorist huge regions of Colombia, or by associations. Two days later, the violence in the 80s and 90s, endless boat trips. She is not even Bill was presented to Congress who in many cases are still intimidated by the conflict whose by the President of the suffering from successive victims she is trying to help. "All of Commission, Dr. Dora Núñez processes of forced displacement. Dávila, and was approved. this becomes acceptable", she Currently, there are approximately says, "when you see the tears in To become law, the Bill 60,000 IDPs in Peru, many of the face of an indigenous woman still needs to receive formal whom reside in marginalized L as you leave her town." communities on the outskirts of the capital city of Lima. IDP Ecuador striving to keep-up with refugee applications community representatives described the critical situation of these groups in alarming detail Ecuador continues to receive a fled his/ her country because his/ during the public congressional large portion of the refugee appli- her life, security or freedom have hearing. According to the cations presented in the region by been threatened by general President of the Human Rights Colombian citizens. According to violence, foreign aggression, Commission of the Peruvian the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of internal conflicts, massive Congress, their desperate the 19,126 refugee applications violations of human rights or any situation is what motivated her to received by Ecuador between other circumstances seriously af- undertake this initiative. "The 2000 and 2003, Colombians fecting public order. passing of this law is a long due lodged 18,863. Faced with a con- This year, the commission has obligation of the Peruvian State tinuous rise in asylum requests, met 22 times, and dealt with al- vis-à-vis this suffering IDP UNHCR and the Ecuadorian most 100 cases in each session. It population," said Dr. Núñez Government are working together has granted refugee status to Dávila. on improving the efficiency and 1,424 people. The commission Although UNHCR has no accessibility of the refugee status continues to apply parameters determination process. assistance programs for IDPs which tend to efficiently improve in Peru, the UN refugee agency The Ecuadorian Eligibility Com- its procedures. UNHCR is also has played an active role in mission is responsible for assisting by providing a training upholding the rights analyzing all asylum requests program for migration authorities reinforcement structure of the Bill received by Ecuador over the past responsible for refugee status de- as well as its operational three years. Refugee Status is termination. mechanisms. The Ministry of granted to persons meeting condi- UNHCR and its implementing Women and Social Development tions set out in the 1951 agencies act as observers within will be responsible for the Convention, its 1967 Protocol, as the Eligibility Commission, which implementation of the IDP law. well as the regulations outlined in is composed of two officials from It will carry out affirmative Ecuadorian Decree 3301, issued the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and actions in their favor to in 1992. This Regulation broadens one official from the Ministry of re-establish the affected rights of L the conventional refugee definition Government (the equivalent of the this vulnerable population. to include any person who has Ministry of Interior elsewhere). L

- 5 - Venezuela establishes Refugee Commission The UN Refugee Agency has oversee and direct the border. The establishment of the welcomed the Venezuelan government’s efforts to provide commission should now allow for government‘s decision to estab- protection, legal aid and official evaluation of formal lish the National Commission for assistance to asylum seekers. refugee status for those in need Refugees, and its passing of of international protection. official refugee regulations to In July 2003, the cumulative num- support the implementation of ber of Colombians applying for UNHCR’s mission in Venezuela the 2001 Organic Law on asylum at the Venezuelan border focuses on supporting host com- Refugees and Asylum Seekers. rose to 1,656. The majority of Co- munities situated along the It described these latest develop- lombian asylum seekers have Venezuelan-Colombian border. It ments as "an important step entered through the Venezuelan works together with non- forward in the area of refugee state of Tachira from the governmental organizations such protection, and a sign of the Colombian province of Norte de as Caritas of Venezuela, the Jes- government’s commitment to its Santander. Most come from the uit Refugee Service and the Red international obligations under area between the Catatumbo Cross. UNHCR is strengthening the 1951 Refugee Convention River and Cucuta. Refugees also its contacts and informa- and 1967 Protocol." The entered the state of Apure from tion-sharing mechanisms with commission, which was officially Arauca and recent reports have these and other organizations inaugurated on August 7, will noted the entry into Venezuelan present at the frontiers in order review individual applications for territory of some indigenous to continue monitoring the L refugee status. It will also communities that straddle the border.

Refugee children can expect to receive greater protection in Venezuela

Colombia’s armed conflict has left where Colombian children, rejected or subjected in any way thousands of children victims of displaced by the conflict, continue to forced return to a territory forced recruitment, anti-personnel to arrive in need of assistance. where his/her life, physical mines, sexual abuse, so-called Currently there are 683 refugee integrity or freedom may be "social cleansing", discrimination, children located in the border endangered. The law also kidnapping, murder, death threats states of Tachira, Zulia and Apure. guarantees the unity of refugee and generalized violence. Many Forced recruitment by illegal families and offers special children have also suffered from groups is often cited as one of the protection to refugee children or persecution directed at other main threats faced by the refugee teenagers who are either members of their family and a very children and youth. unaccompanied or have been large number have had to flee for separated from their nuclear Venezuela is party to several safety to other parts of Colombia, families. Similarly, the 1998 international instruments which Organic Law for the Protection of or to other countries. Indeed, provide for the protection of Venezuela is one of the places Children and Adolescents, refugee children and ensures that children and adolescents. In 1986, it ratified teenagers, including refugees who the 1967 Protocol relating to the find themselves on national Status of Refugees. The country territory, shall have a right to life, is also party to the 1989 UN to personal identification Convention on the Rights of the documents and to an adequate Child, whose provisions protect standard of living. Individual refugee children in areas ranging freedoms as well as the rights to from health and education to health, education and legal social and political rights. redress are also protected under At the national level, the Organic the law. Refugee and Asylum Law In August, President Hugo Chávez Children, some of them seeking refugee (LORRAA) which was approved status, play outside of their homes in Ureña, presided over the inauguration of Venezuela in 2001, stipulates that no person the National Commission for (UNHCR / D. Rochkind) in search of refuge shall be Continued on page 7 - 6 - Continued from page 6 Instead, these children will have involving refugee boys and girls. Refugees. The creation of the the opportunity of being relocated These measures have included commission is also expected to away from the uncertainty and the resettlement of families with have important implications in violence that often plagues border children for humanitarian or relation to the welfare of refugee areas. Their access to education security reasons. UNHCR also children, given that it will be and health services will also be works together with national and responsible for making decisions improved, as well as their general regional authorities as well as regarding individual refugee socio-economic status given that child-oriented institutions such as applications and for issuing the Article 19 of the Organic Refugee UNICEF, Save the Children, and provisional documents for adults Law enables recognized refugees the Council for Children and and children who fall under the to receive work permits from the Adolescents (CEDNA), to help jurisdiction of the basic refugee Ministry of Labor. In this manner, Venezuelan-born children of law, LORRAA. The commission adult refugees shall have the Colombian refugees obtain access will be working in coordination with opportunity to personally provide to legal documentation. It local authorities as well as non- for the individual welfare of their enhances children’s access to governmental and international families and, more specifically, primary education by improving organizations, such as UNHCR their children. educational facilities, and and UNICEF. providing books and uniforms. Recognizing the specific UNHCR is also developing Thanks to all these measures, vulnerability of refugee children, psychological counseling projects refugee children in Venezuela are the UN refugee agency has for refugee children in border expected to be able to exercise directed its effort towards ensuring areas, in coordination with their fundamental human rights the welfare of refugee families, UNICEF and the Jesuit Refugee without running the risk of being and has taken special proactive Service. L returned to their country of origin. measures in specific cases

Quick impact projects help refugee-receiving communities

and can be executed in as fruits and vegetables. Thanks to little as three to six months. these programs, community members have been able to set The projects are designed to up small enterprises to sell their satisfy the needs identified by products. the communities themselves, and all community members Several refugee-hosting participate in their communities in Ecuador, Panama implementation. To finance and Venezuela have welcomed QIPs, UNHCR requests and benefited from QIPs. Since contributions from their initiation in November 2002, international organizations, a total of 35 projects have been foundations and non- executed in the border-states of Refugee children in Sucumbíos, Ecuador governmental organizations Tachira, Zulia and Apure in Beneficiaries of Quick Impact Projects dedicated to community Venezuela. Since April 2003, 9 (UNHCR / J. Sieber) development. Of course, the QIPs have been established in the Recognizing the difficulties faced support of local authorities is province of Darien, Panama, and by many refugee-receiving also vital to their success. another 12 are currently underway communities in responding to the in the provinces of Sucumbíos, Even though QIPs mainly focus on Imbabura and Esmeraldas in needs of their own population, let the reinforcement of educational alone to those of refugees, Ecuador. Thanks to the and health services, they also encouraging results obtained so UNHCR has designed and frequently provide training as well supported a number of small far, UNHCR is now implementing as income-generating initiatives new projects in many other border projects aimed at contributing to for local residents and refugees. In their development. Commonly provinces throughout the region. several communities, training The projected number of new referred to as Quick Impact programs have taken place to Projects (QIP), these ventures do QIPs is expected to be known at teach the population handicraft the end of September, 2003. L not require very large investments skills, or the organic cultivation of

- 7 - UNHCR participates in Re- The Mexican Government commits to promoting refugee gional Migration Conference legislation UNHCR attended the 8th Migration The Mexican Minister of the Inte- Regional Conference (Puebla rior, Mr. Santiago Creel acknowl- Process) as an observer. During edged the need to pass new do- the conference which took place mestic refugee legislation, during on May 29 -30, in Cancún, the official ceremony organized Mexico, UNHCR was invited to by the Ministry of Interior to com- participate for the first time in a memorate World Refugee Day, training session for migration 2003. He also committed to officials, organized by the studying the withdrawal of reser- Governments of Canada, the vations made at the time of United States and Mexico. The accession to the 1951 Conven- session took place at two entry tion and its 1967 Protocol, par- points of the border between ticularly the reservation regarding Honduras and Nicaragua, at the the labor law, which affects refu- Guatemalan refugee in Campeche (UNHCR / M. Echandi) beginning of August. gees’ right to work. L UNHCR’s participation aimed to build the capacity of immigration UNHCR and Ministry of Labor sign agreement in Costa Rica and border officials in the area of UNHCR and the Costa Rican "In spite of the fact that refugees refugee protection, with emphasis Ministry of Labor signed an Agree- in Costa Rica are entitled to work on identifying asylum seekers L ment, in August 2003, to alleviate just by showing their refugee iden- among undocumented migrants. work-related problems faced by tification cards, there is a their living in a decent way. refugees in Costa Rica. The widespread lack of knowledge agreed activities will focus on amongst employers, and even Andrés Ramírez, UNHCR’s Rep- identifying further employment op- amongst refugees themselves, resentative in Costa Rica, also portunities for refugees, and about this right," said Costa Rica’s stressed that the government’s promoting their integration into the Minister of Labor, Mr. Ovidio support was fundamental towards country’s labor market. Surveys Pacheco, at the signing ceremony. achieving the local integration of on job opportunities with the local refugees, and said that the signing The high unemployment rate labor market, as well as of the agreement once again among refugees, as well as these information campaigns on demonstrated "the Costa Rican underlying factors, were revealed refugees’ work rights and the legal government’s commitment in a study conducted by the UN conditions for hiring foreigners in vis-à-vis its international refugee agency and by the Univer- Costa Rica, are also foreseen. obligations." sity of Costa Rica in 2002 to deter- UNHCR will hire a full-time mine the most pervasive problems experienced by refugees in the assistant to work on the imple- country. mentation of the project at the Ministry of Labor. It will also Mr. Pacheco expressed the desire provide its support through the of the government of Costa Rica purchase of computer equipment to promote, along with UNHCR, and office supplies. the integration of refugees, and stressed the importance of access The number of Colombian refu- to proper documentation. gees has been on the rise since 2000. They now make up the "Through the signing of this largest group of refugees in the agreement, we will address in an country. In July 2003, out of a total integrated way, the difficulties that of more than 13,500 refugees, the refugees face when they try to number of Colombian refugees enter the Costa Rican labor stood at 8,303. This has pre- market," he said. sented local authorities and He also emphasized that despite UNHCR with significant chal- Woodworking equipment acquired the hardship refugees face, they lenges in terms of the assistance thanks to micro-credits have the attitude and the willing- and support needed by the most (UNHCR / G. Monge) ness to continue struggling to earn vulnerable refugees. L - 8 - Public outreach activities for refugees in Costa Rica

The UN refugee agency and its UNHCR Representative Andrés lic services and on opportunities local partner, Asociación de Con- Ramírez explains, however, that in available to refugees in Argentina sultores y Asesores Internacion- spite of these efforts, it is hard for in the areas of education, labor ales (ACAI), have organized a the new entrepreneurs to gain ac- training, housing, and on the mi- number of different outreach ac- cess to local markets. Initiatives cro-credit program provided by tivities to provide refugees with like the fairs are meant to motivate UNHCR and its local partners. additional opportunities to share the refugees and to promote their their culture with the Costa Rican services and products. L The handbook is the first compre- population. Throughout the year, hensive information tool of its kind displays at artisan fairs of regional in Argentina. It is the product of a food and handicrafts, and the joint effort between the national refugee committee CE- sharing of music and even jokes, have taken place in public areas PARE, the Argentine of the Costa Rican Central Valley Catholic Commission for around key celebrations such as Migrations (UNHCR’s local Christmas, World Refugee Day partner), UNHCR and a and Mother’s Day. In September, diverse group of refugees when Child’s Day is commemo- and asylum seekers who rated in Costa Rica, special activi- provided their comments ties were organized to celebrate on the first draft. It will be refugee children and teenagers. translated into English and French. The fairs also served to promote refugee products and services, UNHCR’s office in Argen- such as: motorcycle repair shops, tina has also produced the internet cafés, beauty salons, etc. video “Bem Vindo Ao Bra- Many of the participants in these sil” (Welcome to Brazil), activities are recipients of small which is meant to orient loans provided by UNHCR under refugees who are poten- its micro-credit program. Since tially under consideration 2002, 44 credits have been ap- for resettlement in Brazil on proved and some 49 others are on the country’s political and the way. UNHCR and ACAI have Poster announcing the availability of a hand- socio-economic contexts. also organized self-esteem work- book for asylum seekers and refugees in Argen- This, too, is a joint effort shops for refugees and classes by tina between the national refu- specialists in the refugees’ main gee committee CONARE, areas of business interest. New information materials UNHCR’s non-governmental part- for asylum seekers and refu- ners, and refugees in Brazil who gees in Argentina share their experiences. While reflecting Brazil’s spirit of UNHCR’s regional office in Argen- diversity and peaceful co- tina has produced a handbook existence between the country's providing protection-related infor- racial and religious groups and its mation for asylum seekers and economic potential, the 20-minute refugees, as well as a video for video also clearly presents em- refugees being considered for re- ployment and other challenges settlement in Brazil. faced by newly arriving refugees. The refugees’ testimonials also The 67-page “Handbook for Asy- emphasize that successful inte- lum Seekers and Refugees in Ar- gration depends most of all on gentina” walks asylum seekers their own sense of initiative and through the refugee status deter- flexibility. The video is available in mination procedure and enumer- Portuguese and Spanish. Work on Colombian food business in Costa Rica ates the rights of refugees and English and Farsi translations is (UNHCR / G. Monge) asylum seekers respectively. It underway. L also provides information on pub-

- 9 - Resettled refugees in Chile: two years later

In August 2001, Chile received its their own resourcefulness and the second group of resettled refu- help of the refugee support net- gees: five young Afghan men all work in Chile, they have managed between the ages of 26 and 32, to find a place for themselves in and one Iraqi Kurdish family, who the labor market. had previously been living in Azer- Mohammed, a former electrical baijan. Two years later, they have engineer, has set up a carpet overcome many of the initial hur- business. Rezgar, who arrived dles. Most speak Spanish, have with his wife and two children, a made friends and are either work- small grocery store. Two of the Afghan refugee dentist resettled in Chile (UNHCR / D. Guerrero and I. Carmona) ing or studying. other Afghan refugees are dentists Said, a 30-year-old construction who are working part-time in a pri- the government killed my wife’s engineer, was one of the first to vate clinic. Ali, the only one who is aunt and she suffered a lot for it. find a job a few months after arriv- not working, is doing his Ph.D. in Now we live calmly and with ing in Chile. He is still with the chemistry, thanks to a scholarship neighbors who want to help us. I same construction firm and is from the National Science and may go back to visit Iraq one day, working on bringing his wife from Technology Commission. but not to live there." Afghanistan. Rezgar says that his two boys, In 1999, Chile became the first "Chileans are very warm people," who are 10 and 11, quickly country to begin a resettlement he says. "The difficulty here is learned to speak Spanish, and program in Latin America. It was finding a job. I got lucky." have become used to life in Chile joined by Brazil in 2002. Between with the help of their teachers and them, Brazil and Chile have re- Most of the refugees who arrived friends. ceived 74 refugees resettled from with Said are also working, albeit the Former Yugoslavia, Azerbai- "We are better off being here," he often in different jobs from those jan, Pakistan, Iran and India. L they held back home. Thanks to says. "When we left Iraq in 1990,

Refugees in Sao Paulo express themselves through art materials. "We wanted to create an area where refugees could Thanks to art therapy courses communication difficulties and come out of their isolation, get in especially developed for refugees identity crises related to language, touch with their new situation in a in Sao Paulo, refugees of all ages cultural, religious, economic and healthy way, and build a new and from many different countries ethnic differences. The loss of individual identity," explains have the possibility of expressing social relationships, family Caritas social assistant Cezira their emotions without having to separation and the absence of a Fortim. The team of specialists communicate verbally. valuable social role were also has also organized a public found to deeply affect refugees. display of the refugees’ work, In 1998, the State Secretary of providing them with another venue Based on these results, in 1999 Health requested the Psychiatric for being in contact with others, the specialists decided that art Institute of Sao Paulo’s Clinical thereby contributing to their therapy - a form of psycho- Hospital to create a mental health socialization process. program for refugees. Mental therapy - would be the most health specialists led by Dr. adequate response to refugees’ María is a 33 year-old Colombian Carmen Santana used a self- psychological requirements. "Art refugee who has been taking art- reporting questionnaire, therapy is a cathartic tool, a non- therapy classes for a year. developed by the World Health verbal language that encourages Collage and painting are her Organization, descriptive work and the expression of extremely favorite activities. "I was hoping to speech analysis to identify the painful events and facilitates find a way to express what I went refugees’ most significant adaptation to the environment through and what I now feel. It is emotional problems. through a symbolic reconstruction my attempt at maintaining mental of reality", explains Dr. Santana. equilibrium," she says. "I prefer These tools revealed feelings of drawing with pencil technique and Since then, Caritas Sao Paulo, persecution which persisted in the painting," says a 43-year old UNHCR’s local partner has been host country, a continuous refugee from Democratic Republic hosting the classes on its idealization of the country of origin of Congo. "I come to the class to premises and providing the and associated symbols, verbal avoid negative thoughts". L - 10 - One year into the micro-credit program in Argentina

One year into the micro-credit pro- commodating the refugees' nu- gram for refugees in Argentina, merous differences: cultural, lan- which was started in August 2002, guage and in terms of their per- 139 refugees have received small sonal and professional experi- loans in most cases to strengthen ences. pre-established businesses. Re- Getting the refugees to respect cipients from 19 different countries the credit repayment schedule have used the loans for projects in was another challenge for 29 different areas as diverse as MYRAR's staff, "particularly con- information technology, financial, sidering that the refugees had pre- photographic and limousine ser- viously received assistance that vices, food or clothes retail, car- they did not need to return," Victor pentry and handicrafts. Refugee in Argentina expands his grocery explains. Depending on the credit, business thanks to micro-credit The project was started by recipients need to respect a 15, 20 (UNHCR / V. Mayorga) UNHCR and its local partner, the or 24-month payback scheme. He Argentine Catholic Commission is satisfied with the growing return charge of the training courses, has for Migrations (FCCAM), in re- rate, which for the last of the been working hard on including sponse to the country's difficult credit-receiving groups has gone more refugee women by organiz- economic conditions. Today, in up to over 90%. "Women have ing special courses for them, as addition to the refugees who proved to be more punctual," he they "may need that extra push to benefit from the project, a number adds. give free rein to their entrepreneu- of Argentineans have also found rial spirit," he says. Women make up approximately employment in the businesses run 25% of the total number of credit MYRAR's professionals have their by the refugees. recipients (of the total refugee sights set on growth in the near Sergio Bertini, and Victor Mayorga population in Argentina, 44% are future. Plans are being made for are two professionals working in women) and MYRAR is making stepping up project evaluation Migrantes y Refugiados en Argen- persistent efforts to raise the num- trips, for a web site which would tina (MYRAR), the foundation ber of female participants. "Given serve as a virtual market for the which runs the program in close that the program is largely geared refugees' products, and for a regu- collaboration with FCCAM. They to strengthening pre-established lar publication geared to micro- are both quick to point out the projects, more men have quali- credit recipients. L challenge and gratification of ac- fied," says Victor. Sergio, who is in

UNHCR publishes paper on Statelessness in Canada presents particular problems in the case of stateless persons. UNHCR's office in Canada has lessness and the protection of A number of recommendations on just published a discussion paper those who are already stateless. how to strengthen protection of entitled "Statelessness in Cana- Case studies taken from govern- stateless persons are provided in dian Context." The paper is a ment refugee decisions and from the discussion paper. Some are follow-up to workshops on UNHCR's own files offer concrete directed at specific provisions in statelessness organized by examples. the proposed new Canadian UNHCR in Ottawa in 2000 and It specifically calls attention to the citizenship law, Bill C-18, and in 2002, in which government offi- difficulties encountered by Canada's Immigration and Refu- cials, parliamentarians, legal stateless persons who are not gee Protection Act. practitioners, non-governmental refugees. While stateless persons organizations and UNHCR staff recognized as refugees in Canada The report concludes by urging participated. It is intended to en- are able to apply for permanent Canada to accede to the 1954 courage further discussion of how residence and eventually for Convention Relating to the Status problems relating to nationality Canadian citizenship, those not of Stateless Persons. It also urges and statelessness are dealt with in found to be refugees are offered consideration of the establishment Canadian law and practice. no specific protection. As is the of an international body to adjudicate citizenship disputes The paper looks at specific case with any rejected asylum and to set clear international aspects of Canadian policy with seeker, the focus is on their standards regarding nationality. L respect to both avoidance of state- removal, even though removal

- 11 - Separated Minors Advisory Committee is created Canada: statistical snapshot

to be referred to a Children's Aid As of July 2003, a total of The Department of Citizenship 19,973 persons had requested and Immigration in Canada (CIC) Society. They are left to fend for asylum in Canada, a 9% in- has created a national advisory themselves, and rendered crease over the 18,674 asylum committee on separated minors, vulnerable to exploitation. requests registered during the which includes UNHCR, the In order to improve awareness of same period last year. This in- Canadian Red Cross, and the problem, UNHCR published a crease can be partially ex- representatives of child welfare report in July 2001 titled plained by the high number of agencies and non-governmental Separated Children Seeking refugee claims made at the organizations (NGOs). This is a Asylum in Canada and used the Canada-USA border at the start very positive development and report as a basis for discussion at of the year, sparked by the US comes at a time when the number a national roundtable it co- requirements that men of cer- of separated children who seek sponsored a few months later. tain nationalities register with asylum in Canada has more than The aim was to bring together the INS by stipulated deadlines. doubled in the last few years. immigration officials, child welfare This led to a surge of over The issue of separated refugee professionals and refugee 2,600 requests by Pakistani na- and asylum-seeking minors first advocates to help develop a more tionals during the January to drew the attention of UNHCR in consistent approach in meeting March period, compared to Canada in 1999 following the these children's care and 3,500 for all of 2002. protection concerns. A regional arrival that year of 600 Chinese April saw the end of the regis- working-group led by CIC and "boat-people" off Canada's West tration program, resulting in a UNHCR was immediately set up Coast. The group included over steep decline in the number of to address the issues raised in the 100 separated youths aged Pakistani asylum claimants. In report. between 11 and 17 years. The July, 123 requests were made, Canadian experience with the In a related initiative, the in comparison to 996 in Janu- Chinese minors revealed certain International Bureau for Children's ary. This has affected the over- gaps and inconsistencies in the Rights released in early 2003 its all monthly total of asylum level of care and protection Best Practice Statement on claims, which reflects a 21% offered to separated asylum- Separated Children in Canada. decrease in the period of April- seeking children across Canada. UNHCR played a key advisory June. Pakistan nevertheless For instance, the age range for role in this initiative. The report continued to rank first as origi- child protection in Canada varies serves as a new guide for policy nating country, with 17%, fol- from province to province, with makers and is available online at lowed by Mexico (7%), Colom- each operating under its own child www.ibcr.org. bia (5%) and Costa Rica (5%). welfare legislation. In Ontario, only These initiatives on child By mid-year, the Immigration children 16 years and under protection issues culminated in the and Refugee Board had final- receive care from child welfare creation of the advisory ized 20,327 decisions, a 26% agencies. Separated minors aged committee. Priorities for the increase over the same period 16 to 17 are, therefore, not eligible committee include development of last year. The backlog of claims policies for reception has fallen slightly, to 49,756 and care of separated from 52,761 at the start of the children arriving in year. Of all claims decided, Canada and child 41.7% were recognized, 42% custody/abduction were rejected, 9.2% declared issues within the abandoned and 10% with- immigration processes. drawn. The committee is also By mid-year, 3,912 people had reviewing the been resettled to Canada, re- development of a flecting a 16% decrease over resettlement policy for the 4,659 refugees resettled separated children and during the same period in 2002. considering drafting Refugees from Afghanistan, training materials for Iran and Iraq accounted for Thusanth, a McGill University Student, helps young Sri CIC officers on 40% of resettled refugees. Lankans refugees with their homework/Montreal assessment of best (UNHCR/S. Colvey) Refugees from Africa ac- interests of the Child. L counted for 37%. L - 12 - The First Somali Bantu Arrive in the US throughout the US, from Buffalo, New York to Tucson, Arizona. The More than 200 Somali Bantu produced large numbers of US government tried to identify refugees were resettled in 22 refugees. By 2001, nearly 30% of those cities where Somali Bantu cities across the United States in all refugees resettled to the US might encounter more entry-level the summer of 2003. They were were African, as compared to a jobs and lower cost of living to the first arrivals among more than mere 3% in 1990. Following the ease their integration into 12,000 Somali Bantu currently attacks of September 11, 2001, American communities. US living in Kakuma camp in Kenya however, refugee resettlement newspapers have described the who will be resettled to the US into the US decreased culture shock that both Somali during the next year. The Somali dramatically due to the increased Bantu and local community Bantu are one of the largest security requirements and members are experiencing with groups to be resettled by the US suspended international the arrival of the mainly rural government in recent years and diplomatic missions by the US farmers into typical US town and would be the largest single group government. Traditionally, the US cities. These articles have also of African refugees ever admitted government resettled some noted, however, the commitment to the USA. The Somali Bantu, 70,000 refugees a year, but and gratitude of the Somali Bantu who originated from southern following the events of September Continued on page 14 Africa were enslaved and 11, resettlement figures disenfranchised by Somali clans. dropped to approximately With the eruption of the civil war, 27,000 in 2002. During they left Somalia and vowed never financial year 2003, some to return. Tens of thousands have 20,000 refugees have since been displaced. Many finally been admitted to date. reached remote, desolate Dadaab The completion of the camp in Kenya, where they lived Somali Bantu resettlement for the past decade or longer until would signal a shift they were moved to Kakuma towards returning to higher camp for screening and interviews resettlement figures. The by the US Bureau of Citizenship US government hoped to and Immigration Service (BCIS). resettle over 1,000 Somali The US government has Bantu by September 30, Resettled Somali Bantus in the US increasingly focused on Africa, 2003. Families have (UNHCR/H. Caux) which traditionally has hosted and arrived in 22 cities

Reception and integration handbook available in French tegration of Resettled Refugees, hosted by the Swedish govern- Refugee Resettlement: An Inter- "best practices" in various coun- ment. It was originally developed national Handbook to Guide Re- tries. Communities considering by the Victorian Foundation for ception and Integration, is now refugee resettlement for the first Survivors of Torture (VFST), an available in French (La réinstalla- time will find it particularly useful. Australian non-governmental or- tion des réfugiés: Un manuel inter- The handbook also supports the ganization (NGO), with financial national pour guider l’accueil et Agenda for Protection, which calls support from the government of l’intégration). This handbook is a for developing capacity with new Australia. Substantive advice was resource to help in the develop- resettlement countries and ensur- provided by UNHCR and by a task ment of sound programs for the ing that resettlement "runs in tan- force consisting of governmental integration of resettled refugees. dem with a more vigorous integra- and NGO representatives from a It addresses issues such as initial tion policy." dozen countries. It was released reception of resettled refugees, in English during the 2002 EX- It is written in a user-friendly style, COM. ways to prepare receiving commu- and is interspersed with com- nities, language training, educa- ments from resettled refugees, re- Citizenship and Immigration Can- tion, employment, and the special flecting their own experiences ada funded the French translation. needs of children. The handbook is also in the proc- The Handbook was an outcome of ess of being translated into Span- The handbook is targeted primar- the April 2001 International Con- ish. It is available on UNHCR's ily at program planners. The book ference on the Reception and In- provides practical examples of website at www.unhcr.org. L

- 13 - Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie lobbies for unaccompanied minors act

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador proceedings. the children, who need our Angelina Jolie joined Senators support to protect their rights and In 2002, following the creation of their freedoms." Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat the Department of Homeland Se- from California, and Sam Brown- curity, Congress transferred the UNHCR Regional Representative back, a Republican from Kansas, authority for the care and custody in June to publicly call on US Sen- Guenet Guebre-Christos and Jolie of unaccompanied children from also met with three senators sepa- ate members to support a the Immigration and Naturalization bipartisan bill to reform the treat- rately to personally lobby for their Service to the Office of Refugee support on S1129: Orin Hatch, ment of unaccompanied minors, Resettlement (ORR) within the including refugee children. Republican representing Utah, Department of Health and Human Arlen Specter, Republican from Currently, unaccompanied minors Services. Senators Feinstein and are held in detention facilities un- Pennsylvania, and Hillary Rodham Brownback worked to ensure this Clinton, Democrat representing der the existing federal positive development. But further immigration custody program, and New York. Both Senators Specter measures are necessary to and Clinton agreed to co-sponsor lack lawyers or guardians to assist ensure that these children are them with complex immigration the bill during the course of their properly protected. This new meeting with UNHCR. Senator legislation (Bill S1129) would Hatch promised to review the Continued from page 13 guarantee that refugee children legislation to see how he could arriving alone to the US would best support it. to become productive members of have full access to legal counsel their communities. Many resettled and be awarded a guardian The bill has already gained the refugees have said they have throughout their immigration pro- support of 16 co-sponsors in the never truly had a home before ceedings. US Senate and was to be intro- coming to America and that duced to in the House of although the transition is difficult, At the June 19 event on Capitol Representatives in September. they value their opportunity to Hill, Jolie told US Senators and Any US legislation must be vetted make a new life and home for press that she was "really sur- through both houses of the US themselves. Every Somali Bantu prised when I found out that even Congress before it is voted into family is assigned to a local in the United States, the protection law. resettlement agency that is of refugee children is not fully ade- quate." The extensive media coverage of responsible for receiving the UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador refugee/s, finding housing, "Several thousand children, many Jolie's heartfelt plea on behalf of employment, social and other in need of refugee protection, refugee children arriving in the US essential services. Resettled arrive in the United States each has already had a huge impact on refugees receive financial aid year, alone, with no family to the visibility of and support for this through a federal program, count on," she said. "It is unrea- bill, and is sure to facilitate its medical insurance for several sonable to expect these children, progress through the US months and are also eligible for who are already traumatized, to Congress. L other benefits, including welfare face the very legalized and services. complex immigration court In addition to the resettlement of hearings on their own". Somali Bantu from Kenya, "I strongly support S. UNHCR and the US government 1129, which would provide are closely co-operating on the these vulnerable children resettlement program for with legal assistance and approximately 6,000 of at-risk guardians that they so Liberian refugees in Cote d'Ivoire. desperately need in order BCIS officers began interviewing to apply for protection in this group in Abidjan during the the United States," Jolie last week of July. These at-risk continued. "As Americans, refugees have been identified as we defend our human particularly vulnerable persons, rights, we defend our such as women heads of freedoms, and we will help Angelina Jolie with Senator Diane Feinstein and households, unaccompanied the innocent, especially Senator Sam Brownback minors, elderly and disabled (UNHCR / H. Farhad) refugees. L - 14 - World Refugee Day in the Americas which relates the experiences of UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Throughout the Americas, refu- nized as World Refugee Day by Angelina Jolie during her June gees joined their receiving com- the City Council. Highlights in- 2002 visit with refugees in Ecua- munities in commemorating World cluded statements by Goodwill dor, was also shown for the first Refugee Day, dedicated this year Ambassador Angelina Jolie, and time. to refugee youth. Concerts, plays, Deputy Secretary of State Richard marathons, fairs, conferences and Armitage, a sold-out performance Panama: World Refugee Day ac- media campaigns took place from of US director/producer Ping tivities centered on providing psy- the US to Chile. Photo exhibits Chong’s "Children of War," the chological support and motivation were also a regular feature. stories of five refugee youth who to 84 Colombian families currently "Arrancados de Raíz" (Pulled Up have been resettled to the US, seeking refuge in the communities By the Roots), a collection of pho- and a performance by the Silk of Jaqué, Boca de Cupe and tos of Colombian refugees in Ec- Road Dance Company at the Ken- Meteti in the province of Darien. A uador, Panama and Venezuela nedy Center for the Performing community fair and several sports taken by UNHCR staff members Arts. tournaments were also held to was simultaneously displayed in Mexico and Central America: At help strengthen ties between the Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela and a festival in the Mexico City refu- Colombian and Panamanian com- Canada. In Colombia, it was vis- gee park, refugees were treated to munities. ited by 600 people at the World musical performances, storytel- Social Forum gathering in Cart- Colombia: In Bogotá, MAMA-U, a ling, and a puppet show by inter- group of young dancers performed agena. Following is a selection of national artists and refugees. Be- events organized to mark the day. with the street singers group lize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hon- "Invisibles Invencibles" (Invincible Canada: UNHCR, together with duras and Nicaragua organized Invisibles). Many of the artists, the Canadian Red Cross, Am- round tables, forums, workshops both in MAMA-U and Invisible are nesty International, the Canadian and an essay contest. internally displaced persons. Center for Victims of Torture, Costa Rica: A special Mass at the UNHCR also exhibited the works Médecins Sans Frontières, Cul- Metropolitan Cathedral in San of young artists participating in the tureslink and Right to Play, organ- José was attended by many Co- project "Disparando Cámaras para ized an event at a theatre in the lombian refugees and Costa Ri- la Paz", which teaches displaced heart of downtown Toronto for 500 cans. Biblical readings made ref- children to be photographers of people, many of them refugees. erence to the situation of immi- their own reality. The audience was treated to a grants and the uprooted, and the Bolivia: Six refugees shared their free screening of an IMAX film, need to help foreigners in need of musical entertainment and games experiences with journalists at a protection and assistance. The working breakfast organized by animated by Right To Play. The homily called for a reflection on Toronto City Councilor also read UNHCR’s local partner, the Boliv- the needs of refugees in Costa ian Episcopal Conference (CEB). the City of Toronto’s proclamation Rica. A fair with refugee artisans, of June 20 as World Refugee Day. round tables and television pro- Argentina: A refugee and immi- United States: In Washington grams also took place. grant women’s association organ- DC, June 20 was officially recog- ized a conference at the National Venezuela: In Caracas, a concert Congress with presentations by and marathon were dedicated to government authorities, non- refugees. In San Cristóbal, the governmental organization repre- capital of the state of Tachira and sentatives, refugees and UNHCR. a key host community for Colom- The Argentine Catholic Commis- bians seeking asylum, activities sion for Migrations, organized its were organized to raise public annual celebration attended by support for the increasing number 600 refugees, who shared an ecu- of refugees crossing the border menical service and a typical Ar- into Venezuela. gentine barbecue. Ecuador: In Quito, UNHCR Chile: A resettled refugee, to- screened films of acclaimed refu- gether with the staff of UNHCR’s gee directors such as Roman Po- local partner, Vicaría de Pastoral lanski, Milos Forman and Billy Actors send a message of courage to Social, wrote and performed the young people in Barrancabermeja, Wilder. The documentary, play "So That Dreams Never Die" Colombia "Displaced," "Desplazados", on the refugee experience. L (UNHCR / M.Cárdenas) - 15 -