here are 10 million refugees around the world, the highest recorded number since 2002, according to the “2006 Global Trends” report published by UNHCR on the eve of World Refugee Day. For the first time in five years the number of refugees recorded by UNHCR has increased by 14%; however, thanks to better registration systems, the number of refugees receiving UNHCR assistance has also increased, moving from 6.6. to 12.9 million.
“Before the increase of people eradicated by persecution, intolerance and violence, we must face the challenges and requests of a world that ois changing, remaining loyal somehow to our mandate to defend the rights of refugees and the others whom we look after”, said the High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres.
According to the UN, the current situation is largely due to the humanitarian crisis in Iraq, which as of the end of 2006, forced over 1.5 million civilians to seek refuge in other countries, such as Syria and Jordan. Last year, the most consistent refugee group under UNHCR auspices was that of the Afghans (2.1 million), followed by Iraqis (1.5 million), Sudanese (686,000), Somalis (460,000) and by refugees from RDC Congo and Burundi (about 400,000 from each country). However, the first data from 2007 suggest that Iraqi refugees are increasing. They are said to be 2.2 million living in the neighboring countries alone.
The UN data do not include the 4.3. or so Palestinian refugees, who are living in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian Territories, as these fall under the responsibility of UNRWA. UNHCR deals also with IDP’s (Internally Displaced People), who were said to be 24.5 million at the end of 2006; their numbers are also increasing because of the violence in Iraq, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, East Timor and Sudan.
Since 1993, at least 8,000 refugees and migrants have died trying to enter fortress Europe. Indiscriminate and inhumane border controls force desperate people to take even greater risks to flee extreme poverty, persecution and war.
“Increasingly governments are closing their borders, intensifying sea patrols and sending immigration officials to other countries to carry out pre-boarding inspections. Air and sea companies are fined if they transport undocumented migrants. Unable to obtain valid visas and documentation, refugees become victims of border-control policies”, said the international director of the JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service), Lluís Magriñà SJ, who in occasion of World Refugee Day urged governments worldwide to ensure refugees are granted access to and protection in their territories.
“What is happening now is not only illegal, it is wrong. The message from governments is clear. There is no room for refugees”, reads a statement released by the JRS. Since 1993, at least 8,000 refugees and migrants have died trying to enter fortress Europe. Indiscriminate and inhumane border controls force desperate people to take even greater risks to flee extreme poverty, persecution and war. “
Governments are investing millions to keep undocumented migrants out. Some governments – such as the Indian, US and Spanish governments - are even building physical barriers to impede the arrival of migrants. But nothing has been done to provide refugees with alternatives to using unscrupulous traffickers and smugglers to reach safety. Unfortunately, the consequences are often tragic”, added Fr Magriñà. According to the JRS, there is a serious imbalance between border management and international human rights obligations to assist to those in need. Global refugee protection is a finely balanced system, write the Jesuits, based on the concept of states sharing responsibility.
To make this system work fairly and efficiently JRS calls on all nations to afford refugees access to and protection within their territories. “In particular, richer
Industrialized states need to provide technical and financial resources to poorer nations hosting refugees, and to resettle much greater numbers of vulnerable refugees unable to find protection elsewhere”, concludes the JRS statement.
(From MISNA)