CONFIDENTIAL
37th EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF UNHCR
Brief 2(f)(v): Physical Safety of Refugees: Refugee Woman
Line to take
t
1.
Agree that, because of the large proportion of women and
children in refugee populations (and hence of women without a male
protector), women refugees are especially vulnerable to physical
violence and sexual abuse and do have special needs.
2. Welcome measures taken by UNHCR to involve women in planning refugee assistance programmes and to provide them with added
protection (eg, separate accommodation for unaccompanied women and
extra lighting in camps).
3. (To UNHCR) Continue efforts to persuade host governments to police refugee camps and areas (including the seas) where there are many refugees in order to reduce crimes and piracy against them, especially sexual abuse crimes.
4.
Also welcome UNHCR counselling, training, educational, health,
self-help and income-generating programmes for refugee women. All
these help make them more independent and less vulnerable to abuse or exploitation.
5.
However,
Refugee status should be assessed regardless of sex.
agree that in some cases sexual discrimination or traditional social
moves may be a factor in determining whether a woman has a
well-founded fear for her safety if she were to be returned to her country of origin (eg, an adulteress in Iran).
Background
6.
Contained in Reference A. The UK takes into account all factors
when assessing an asylum-seeker's application. In the case of a
women this includes the considerations in paragraph 5 above.
References:
A-A/AC-96/680: Note on International Protection (paragraph 47-58)
N46ABV
CONFIDENTIAL