UNHCR clarifies<\/p>\n
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
\nRegional Office in Jakarta would like to clarify a number of
\ninaccuracies published in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 29 and Jan. 31
\non the role of UNHCR regarding Iraqi asylum seekers in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
First, the banners held by the protesters stated that the
\ngroup protesting are refugees. All the persons that are staging a
\nprotest at UNHCR Jakarta have all without exception had their
\nclaims rejected after two fair hearings under UNHCR procedures
\napplicable world wide.<\/p>\n
One misconception conveyed in these articles is that asylum
\nseekers have a right to be resettled. In this regard, it should
\nbe noted that resettlement is not a right but a durable solution
\napplicable only to recognized refugees. The notion that UNHCR can
\nsomehow automatically resettle all Iraqis or foreigners to third
\ncountries regardless of their status is fundamentally erroneous.
\nUNHCR can submit cases of recognized refugees for resettlement
\nbut the ultimate decision rests with the resettlement country to
\naccept or deny a refugee entry.<\/p>\n
On refugee status the commitment made by the Deputy Regional
\nRepresentative is that all closed Iraqi cases would be subject to
\nreview in three months time to see if any new elements warrant a
\nreopening of their files.<\/p>\n
These specific groups of asylum seekers are a minority of
\nrejected cases who chose to come to Jakarta to apply pressure on
\nUNHCR to reverse the decision made on their cases. The asylum
\nseekers were offered food and housing in Situbondo by the
\nInternational Organization of Migration (IOM). In coming to
\nJakarta they were fully aware that they would forfeit the
\nassistance rendered to them by IOM. Hence, the predicament in
\nwhich they find themselves is of their own making.<\/p>\n
In 2002, UNHCR has recognized 781 Iraqi refugees, which
\nconstitutes a majority. In the same time frame 395 Iraqi refugees
\ndeparted Indonesia for resettlement to various third countries.
\nTherefore, to infer as these articles have, that UNHCR is
\ninsensitive to the plight of Iraqis in Indonesia is to draw a
\nflawed conclusion.<\/p>\n
The fact that the explanations given by UNHCR's Deputy
\nRegional Representative during the interview were omitted
\naltogether from the article and that the statements of the UNHCR
\nstaff member quoted were taken out of context is regrettable.<\/p>\n
ROBERT ASHE, Regional Representative, UNHCR Regional Office, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Note: Thank you for your clarification.<\/p>\n
--Editor<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/unhcr-clarifies-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }