TNAG-1542-FCO40-2106-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 216

CONFIDENTIAL

DSR 11C

movements of refugees because it is denied access to the

Irian Jaya side. The UNHCR office believe that copies of

their own reports go automatically from UNHCR HQ to the

UNHCR office in Irian Jaya.

Legal Position

15. The UNHCR in PNG are in a difficult position, given

that both PNG and Indonesian governments are involved.

At times there would seem to be difficulties in

communication with the PNG Government, caused more by

bureaucratic difficulties than lack of goodwill.

16. The UNHCR's access to the refugee camps is a

problem because of the distance of the sites from

Port Moresby, the difficulty of the terrain and the modes

of transport (sometimes up river by dinghy). It is

unlikely that the situation can be improved until all the

refugees are gathered in one camp. Even then the chosen

new site is in a remote and fairly inaccessible area.

Physical Security of Refugees

17. The PNG Government does its best, but has been

criticised at times for apparent mishandling of border

crossers (not refugees). The local government has

provided police patrols, but these have now been

withdrawn.

18. The safety of the refugees seems to be threatened

mainly by external forces ie the OPM

-

though the risk

is more of intimidation than of widespread violence. The

OPM appear to be active in discouraging potential

returnees to Irian Jaya. An attempt to move the camps

away from the border and from the OPM's area of influence

would probably improve the situation.

cr2ajk

CONFIDENTIAL

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