UN efforts to address refugee protection see positive results
April 2nd, 2010 - 12:43 am ICT by BNO NewsUNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) – Efforts by the United Nations refugee agency to address refugee protection and mixed migration in Morocco have helped to improve protection, the United Nations said on Thursday.
The report by UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) found that innovative approaches have been taken in refugee community outreach, local integration opportunities, and support to voluntary and dignified return in close cooperation with the International Organization for Migration.
Given the rather secretive nature of migratory movements, it’s difficult to determine the number of foreign nationals living in Morocco illegally. Moroccan Government sources and independent researchers suggest a minimum of some 10,000 irregular migrants of sub-Saharan origin may be in the country. Only about 750 to 800 people, or less than one percent of the total, have been recognized as refugees by UNHCR.
Morocco has a long-standing history of hosting refugees and migrants, in fact; the country ratified all major international treaties concerning migrants, refugees, and human rights, including the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and its 1967 protocol.
Hindered by their lack of a recognized legal status, as well as ethnic and linguistic differences, refugees, like other migrants in Morocco, find it hard to establish sustainable livelihoods. These difficulties remain a concern to UNHCR in Morocco.
The report also acknowledges that without the active engagement and support of the host State, UNHCR’s efforts will inevitably be limited in their outcome and impact, as the ultimate responsibility to protect and provide durable solutions for refugees lie with States.
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Tags: bno, community outreach, durable solutions, foreign nationals, government sources, host state, independent researchers, integration opportunities, international organization for migration, international treaties, linguistic differences, living in morocco, migratory movements, moroccan government, refugee agency, refugee community, refugee convention, refugee protection, secretive nature, un high commissioner for refugees