(a) Readiness of Governments to re-accept refugees wishing to repatriate
23. For voluntary repatriation to take place, it is of course essential that the Government of the country of origin should be ready to agree to the return of refugees and to assist them in practical ways to do so.
While in the majority of cases this question will not give rise to any particular difficulty, it may in certain circumstances prove difficult for Governments to re-admit their nationals, particularly because of problems of an economic and social nature which may militate against the immediate and simultaneous return of a substantial number of persons. This, for example, may be the case with regard to countries which have recently attained independence and are still confronted with serious economic problems. Situations of this kind may call for appropriate action on the part of the international community, through or in co-operation with UNHCR, in order to assist these Governments to provide adequate reception and reintegration facilities for returning refugees.
UNHCR action in facilitating voluntary repatriation
24.
There are of course many cases in which refugees return home spontaneously and without any involvement of UNHCR. Frequently, however,
a number of difficulties may have to be overcome before repatriation can actually take place.
25. As far as individual refugees are concerned, it may be necessary to obtain travel documents, transit visas, entry permits, etc. The travel costs may have to be covered or even the actual travel to be arranged. In certain cases, it may also be necessary to approach the authorities of the home country with a view to obtaining their agreement to the refugee's return.
26.
In
In the case of large-scale operations, the action which needs to be undertaken assumes a variety of forms. Agreement to the operation and arrangements for its implementation need to be negotiated with the refugee's home country and with his country of present residence. certain situations, e.g., where diplomatic relations do not exist between the Governments concerned, UNHCR, through its good offices, may play an active role in the conclusion of such arrangements. These arrangements normally include the transfer of repatriating refugees to agreed assembly points or centres and the establishment of crossing points at the border. As already indicated above, it will also be necessary to work out appropriate procedures for ensuring that the repatriation is voluntary.