The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is urgently appealing to Myanmar’s neighboring countries to immediately stop forced returns of Myanmar nationals seeking safety from serious harm. Sending them back to the country is "placing countless lives at risk" and a violation of international law, the UN agency said in a statement released Thursday.
“UNHCR remains gravely concerned about multiple reports of refoulement - the forcible return of refugees and asylum seekers - since February 2021 from countries neighboring Myanmar. We repeat our call on states to continue offering protection to Myanmar nationals fleeing for safety. This also includes ending the practice of indefinite detention of asylum seekers and refugees from Myanmar,” Gillian Triggs, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, said.
Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a Southeast Asian nation that borders India, Bangladesh, China, Laos, and Thailand. More than 1 million refugees and asylum-seekers from Myanmar – mostly from the Rohingya ethnic group - have fled to neighboring countries. In Myanmar, acts of indiscriminate violence against civilians continue across the country, as well as fighting between the Myanmar military and ethnic armed groups in some border areas, driving people to flee within the country and across borders.
UNHCR says people fleeing Myanmar must be allowed access to territory to seek asylum and be protected against refoulement. Myanmar nationals already abroad should not be forced to return when seeking international protection. The principle of non-refoulement is a cornerstone of international law and is binding on all states.
“Myanmar’s neighbors have a decades-long history of providing protection and assistance to refugees. We call on them to continue upholding their international legal obligations and lifesaving humanitarian tradition of safeguarding the lives of all those forced to flee, “ the Assistant High Commissioner said.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a United Nations agency mandated to assist and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. The organization is known by its short name the UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR was established on December 14, 1950, by the United Nations General Assembly to provide assistance to refugees resulting from World War II. On January 1, 1951, UNHCR began its work. Each year, the UN Refugee Agency helps millions of refugees and displaced persons worldwide. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the UN agency maintains offices in 134 countries.
Further information
Full text: UNHCR issues urgent appeal to stop forced returns of Myanmar nationals, UNHCR press release, published October 20, 2022
https://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2022/10/6351414032/unhcr-issues-urgent-appeal-stop-forced-returns-myanmar-nationals.html
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