9

India

47. Although India has not acceded to the 1951 Convention or 1967 Protocol, refugees recognized by UNHCR are granted residence permits which do not, however, include the right to work. The solutions open to refugees in India are resettlement or repatriation. In 1989, only 33 Afghans and 19 Iranians repatriated. For the large majority resettlement remains the only feasible durable solution. Most of the refugee population does not meet the particular criteria of resettlement countries. Given the circumstances, UNHCR continues to promote resettlement for all deserving cases.

48.

49.

Some 750 Iranians in India will require resettlement in 1991.

A small group of Iraqi refugees in India merit special consideration. These persons, while pursuing their studies, engaged in political activity against the Baghdad regime. They thus lost their financial support and their passports were not renewed. Protection and assistance from UNHCR notwithstanding, they experience pressure from their own government. In the circumstances the Indian government has extended their stay on condition that they can be resettled. Efforts to date have met with little success, as few have links abroad. Resettlement is required for 25 persons in this group.

South East Asia

50. Periodically refugees in the region are brought to the attention of UNHCR. Strict immigration laws are applicable to all non-Indo-Chinese refugees in the region who, if found without valid documents, are apprehended and subject to detention and prosecution, if not deportation. Resettlement thus remains the only solution available to refugees under the UNHCR Mandate, and is always sought on a priority basis. Resettlement requirements for persons of Middle Eastern origin in South East Asia are forecast at 90 persons. Yugoslavia

51.

In Yugoslavia UNHCR assists a relatively small number of non-European refugees 130 at present, of whom 51 are of Middle Eastern origin. Every effort is being made to persuade the Yugoslav authorities to grant permanent asylum to at least a small number of these refugees thereby providing a durable solution locally. Resettlement opportunities should nevertheless be sought for others, in particular those who have no links to Yugoslavia by virtue of studies or marriage. Needs are estimated for 75 persons in 1991.

52. Total requirements for refugees of Middle Eastern origin worldwide are projected at some 8,200.

53. African countries have been and continue to be among the most hospitable in granting asylum to refugees in mass influx situations. However, for reasons of security or bi-lateral relations some countries are reluctant to grant asylum or recognize refugee status. The foregoing combined with family reunion continue to be the main reasons for resettlement in and from Africa.

54.

Recent developments have given grounds for hope that some longstanding regional conflicts in Africa which have generated refugee problems may be resolved and conditions created that would allow for durable solutions for a large number of African refugees. The independence of Namibia, the restoration of peace in Angola as well as a combination of circumstances in the Horn of Africa have prepared the way for voluntary repatriation. Moreover, at least preliminary contacts are in process for a peaceful settlement in South Africa, Mozambique, Western Sahara and Southern Sudan. The easing of East-West tensions has not passed unnoticed by many African countries and may well contribute to easing refugee situations in the continent.

55.

UNHCR resettlement policy remains in conformity with the OAU recommendations, i.e. the Office seeks to resettle African refugees within Africa. In 1989, several West African countries decided to introduce resettlement quota systems. These programmes, however, have not yet been implemented owing to financial implications involved. In any event the pragmatic approach of many countries in the continent has permitted resettlement in Africa for a number of individual refugees and in some cases, for larger groups, such as the offer by the Zairian Government to consider resettling some 1,000 Burundi refugees from Rwanda.

56.

In 1989, a total of 4,778 African refugees were resettled, 77% of whom were Ethiopians. For 1990, resettlement needs were projected at 7,000 and for 1991 resettlement requirements remain at the same level.

57. By and large, refugees in need of resettlement are located in the same areas as in the past: East African countries, the Sudan and the Horn of Africa. Over the past few months an increase has been noted in emergency resettlement requirements for sensitive security cases in Central and East Africa.

Horn of Africa and the Sudan

58.

Ethiopia, Somalia and the Sudan all provide asylum to refugees from immediately neighbouring countries. Resettlement needs in the Sudan are the largest in the continent. Nearly 3,000 places are required for Ethiopians, of which over two thirds are for family reunion in the United States, Canada and other resettlement countries. The remaining requirements cover resettlement of Ethiopian longstayers, vulnerable groups and a few security cases. Resettlement is also requested for some 50 refugees of other African nationalities not recognized by the Sudanese Government, but falling under the Mandate of UNHCR.

11

59.

Resettlement needs for Ethiopia have steadily decreased since our last assessment; 80 places are sought mainly for family reunion of Somali and Sudanese refugees.

60. In Somalia, response to UNHCR's appeal of last year that priority be given for the resettlement of some 300 cases of Ethiopians mainly in the Shalambot camp has reduced the number requiring priority resettlement to some 120 cases, totalling 220 persons, most of them residing in this camp. Owing to their ethnic/religious, military or political background, these refugees are unable to return to Ethiopia, nor can they be offered the possibility of local integration.

61. As a result of the Djibouti Government's wish to avoid attracting further influxes, resettlement requirements for Djibouti will consist primarily of emergency security cases and immediate family reunion. A total of 30 places for Ethiopians and Somalis are estimated to cover these needs. Total requirements for the region covering the Horn of Africa and the Sudan are projected at 3,330.

62.

East Africa

63.

Contrary to the policy adopted generally by the countries in the Horn of Africa and the Sudan, some East African countries find it difficult to grant asylum to refugees from neighbouring and/or certain other countries. 64. The Tanzanian Government continues to urge UNHCR to resettle groups of refugees for whom access to the asylum procedure has been denied, or for others considered as persona non grata by the Government. Some are in detention; others have been released on condition of resettlement. Presently there are 330 persons in this group, comprising predominantly Somalis, as well as a number of Kenyans and Burundis. Assuming some of this group will be resettled before year end, we forecast total needs in 1991 at 300.

65. Over the past two years, the granting of asylum in Kenya has become more restrictive. This has resulted in increasing numbers of refugees recognized under the UNHCR Mandate and therefore in need of resettlement. An estimate of 2,500 places for mainly Ethiopian, Ugandan, Somali and Rwandese refugees are needed. Some 40 per cent of these places cover family reunion in the USA and Canada. Total requirements for this region are forecast at 2,920.

Central Africa

66.

Recent developments in this region have created security problems for some refugees and asylum seekers. Consequently more emergency resettlement places outside the African continent have been required. Solutions are being sought in other African countries but delays mean these may not solve the problem in time. The estimated needs for the region total 50

- 12

Southern Africa

67. The present resettlement needs for South Africans throughout Africa total 80. The overall needs for the Southern Africa region for 1991 including some South Africans are forecast at 100. It is noteworthy however, that over the past months movement of South Africans has primarily been in the form of relocation. These relocation/evacuation needs are not included in this assessment, as all these refugees are allowed entry and maintained in other safer African countries.

West Africa

68.

West African countries provide asylum for practically all refugees from their own region as well as a number from other African regions. Total resettlement requirements for the region are forecast to be 100. It is not expected that events in Liberia will require extra-regional resettlement.

African Refugees Outside Africa

69.

Owing to recent developments, many African refugees, particularly Somalis, have left the continent to seek asylum in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Others already abroad, have become refugees sur place. As most countries hosting these refugees do not grant asylum, UNHCR has recognized their status under the Mandate. In many instances these refugees are in a precarious situation, often subject to police harassment, detention and threats of deportation. Totally dependent on UNHCR, they constitute a heavy financial burden to the Office. In order to avoid any magnet effect, resettlement requirements for these refugees are assessed on a case by case basis, and resettlement is sought only for those for whom no other humanitarian solution is possible within a reasonable timeframe. In the circumstances resettlement requests by UNHCR should be given priority. resettlement needs of these refugees have declined since our last Global Assessment. Estimated resettlement needs for this group total 600 places. 70. Total needs for all African resettlement worldwide are projected at 7,140.

The

EASTERN EUROPEAN REFUGEES

71.

Recent historic events in Eastern Europe have markedly altered the situation regarding refugees originating from this region.

72. Arrivals of asylum seekers from Poland and Czechoslovakia have virtually stopped. Nevertheless, asylum seekers from Romania continue to arrive mainly in Yugoslavia. UNHCR continues to monitor recent arrivals of some Albanian asylum seekers in Turkey, Hungary, Poland and Yugoslavia as well as those who requested political asylum in different embassies in Tirna.

73.

Traditional resettlement of Eastern Europeans from countries like Austria, Germany and Italy will no longer be promoted by UNHCR save in exceptional cases. The principal Eastern European resettlement population is at present in Yugoslavia, which remains a country of temporary asylum. Renewed efforts are needed to secure resettlement places in such cases where this is the only viable durable solution, principally for Romanian, Bulgarian and Soviet refugees in Yugoslavia.

74.

The political situation in Eastern Europe has either changed so dramatically or, in some cases, is still too fluid to present an appropriate basis for forecasting resettlement requirements. We have, therefore, confined our focus on resettlement requirements in the region to Yugoslavia where needs for resettlement of Europeans are projected at 400. (N.B: If Albanians continue to arrive in Yugoslavia at the present rate of 100 per month, projected needs for Belgrade may go up considerably).

LATIN AMERICAN REFUGEES

Overview

75. Recent developments in the continent ending conflicts and restoring democracy in combination with development-oriented solutions to refugee problems have substantially reduced resettlement requirements. Remaining needs can be met through regional resettlement or from the ongoing programmes of certain major countries.

76. UNHCR requirements for Central and South American refugees requiring extra regional resettlement are forecast at 200.

VULNERABLE GROUPS⭑

Overview and Principal Issues

77. Since the creation in 1973 of special programmes, resettlement of vulnerable groups has reflected the willingness of many countries to address the needs of the most vulnerable refugees. A yearly average of 300 such refugees, who with families comprise some 1,000 persons, and who have no links in third countries, are offered a new home, treatment and rehabilitation, as well as strong support for integration, under special programmes. Each year an equal number of refugees and their dependants are offered the same assistance through admission under regular programmes, on family reunion grounds, or otherwise. Nevertheless, problems persist with regard to particular categories within the vulnerable group population.

*Please refer to the chapter dealing with Vulnerable Groups in last year's Global Assessment for a detailed summary of the evolution of this resettlement group over the past decade.