12.
The granting of asylum remains a major daily concern. While hundreds of thousands of refugees have been granted asylum in numerous States and in every Continent, regrettably there continue to be situations where asylum is refused. I think, for instance, of the "boat people", whose tragic odyssey demands the attention and understanding of all of us. There is, in their situation, a grave humanitarian challenge that we must not fail to meet. Some still perish at sea while others are stil ignored by ships that choose not to notice their distress- signals. As members of this Committee are aware, UNHCR, jointly with the Inter-Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO), appealed through the International Chamber of Shipping to ship masters, urging them to continue to act in accordance with international principles relating to rescue at sea. Many have responded, but others have not. I am gratified, nevertheless, by some developments. Governments have taken the decision to accept for resettlement those "boat people" who are rescued by ships flying their flags. I would hope that other Governments will follow this example. Further, with few exceptions, countries in the region are now accepting UNHCR's guarantee to assist with resettlement as suffi- cient for them to permit disembarcation. But the problem remains as, still too often, we learn of boats moving from shore to shore ur ships that have rescued people being penalized by not being allowed in port, or being delayed there needlessly. It seems to me that we must all co-operate with greater seriousness to tie together a number of actions: rescue at sea and disembarcation are dependent on generous asylum policies. possibilities in third countries.
result.
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Certain
These in turn are related to resettlement The latter must be swift in procedure and
In all cases where asylum is in jeopardy, or when we learn of the threat of refoulement, or the arbitrary and prolonged detention of refugees without trial, I consider it the duty of UNHCR to intervene.
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Mr. Chairman, on assuming Office, I considered it my duty to meet as many of my colleagues in the field as rapidly as possible in order to understand their work and their problems. My travels enabled me to see them in various capitals, and also in places that sometimes do not feature on a map, but nevertheless shelter refugees. I have been impressed by their spirit and devotion. In order to exchange views with my Representatives more fully, I called a brief meeting with all of them in lay.
It was time well-spent together.
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