STATEMENT MADE BY MR. MAYANK JOSHI, FIRST SECRETARY, ON AGENDA ITEM 61: 'REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, QUESTIONS RELATING TO REFUGEES, RETURNEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS AND HUMANITARIAN QUESTIONS' AT THE THIRD COMMITTEE OF THE 69TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON  NOVEMBE 05,  2014

 

 

Madam Chair,

 

We thank the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for his report, as well as his useful presentation on the Agenda item in the Third Committee today.

 

It is worrisome to note in the High Commissioner's report that last year, the number of all displaced people reached more than 50 million, the highest level since Second World War. Equally alarming is that 2.5 million persons, highest recorded number in nearly a decade, sought refuge outside their country boundaries. It is also a matter of concern that children now constitute 50 per cent of the global refugee population and that the number of refugees returning home has gone down in 2013. 

 

These statistics signify a deteriorating situation, instability and violence in different regions of the world, however, durable solutions continue to remain in short supply. 

 

Mr. Chair,

 

While we share the concerns of the High Commissioner raised in his report, there is an imperative to formulating comprehensive policies and creating favorable conditions much needed for their early return and reintegration in their society. In this regard, we commend the role played by UNHCR in collaborating with member states in providing protection and assistance to refugees. 

    

The work of UNHRC in implementing the four strategies introduced in 2013 in the areas of, inter alia, public health, settlement and shelter, livelihood and safe access to fuel and energy continues to give hope to the protracted refugees. The useful work of Independent Audit and Oversight Committee and the Internal Compliance and Accountability Committee has made important contributions in achieving accountability, transparency and monitoring. 

 

We believe that given limited resources to meet the increasing challenges, UNHCR should continue to move towards paying greater attention to its core mandate on taking care of the refugees, as compared to the other Persons of Concern. India is committed to support UNHCR in all manner in this endeavour.

 

Mr. Chair,

 

An enabling environment for protection, resettlement, rehabilitation and opportunities for sustainable livelihood for the displaced persons is a pre-requisite for encouraging their voluntary return. In this regard, it would be pertinent to underline that UNHCR's involvement in IDPs should only be with the concurrence of and in consultation with national authorities. 

 

Focus on capacity building and training would complement the concerted efforts being made by countries to advance durable solutions in protracted situations faced by refugees. International collaboration would be a catalyst in creating conducive environment facilitating their voluntary return, resettlement, reintegration, rehabilitation and self - reliance.

 

Mr. Chair,

 

The international community needs to consistently address the causes of displacement, including inadequacy of protection, discrimination, family separation and poverty. The link between poverty and refugee issue is well recognized, but the search for durable solutions would remain elusive unless these causes remain unaddressed for the realization of targeted global development goals. 

 

The increasing number of emergency situations in conflict-torn areas and natural disasters continues to stretch international and national resources in protection of displaced masses. The narrowing of significant gap in the resources, including funding by donors, is possible only with a strong commitment on a global scale.

 

Growing violence against asylum seekers by non-state actors, particularly in armed conflict is a matter of great concern. This is aggravated by the problem of securing access to and delivering in high-risk environments across many regions. We need tackle this issue with intensive collaboration, careful preparation, skilled personnel and appropriate equipment. 

 

Mr. Chair,

 

The issue of treating the two separate issues of asylum-seekers vis-a vis migrants needs special mention and careful attention. We need to guard against mixing the two and international migration needs to be promoted in a regular non-discriminatory and orderly manner. Maintaining a clear distinction between refugees and economic migrants is in the interest of the protection needs of the former.

 

Mr. Chair,

 

The enormous contribution of developing countries in hosting refugees as part of fulfilling their voluntary humanitarian obligations needs sufficient recognition and commendation in our deliberations.

 

The 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol do not cater to the phenomena of massive flows and mixed migration. In the absence of appropriate adjustments to match these realities, countries such as India will continue to find it difficult to accede to the present legal framework, their commitment to hosting refugees notwithstanding. 

 

India with its history, culture, traditions has opened its border to all and we continue to host a large number of refugees. Our programmes for them are managed entirely from within our own resources. Our protection regime is based on the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution and other relevant legal provisions. We have time and again demonstrated our abiding commitment to the principles of protection and non-refoulement. We continue to refine our administrative mechanisms for providing greater hospitality to refugees during their stay in country.

 

Madam Chair,

 

Strengthened partnerships among all stakeholders are indispensible to achieve the above objectives. In this regard, India is committed towards building international solidarity and burden sharing as these are the foundations on which refugee protection rests. 

 

Thank you,  Madam Chair.