Verklaring Nederland op Conferentie United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
High Commissioner, distinguished delegates,
As minister Zebari said this morning: “This is not a recent disaster”. As High Commissioner Guterres said: “Too little attention has been devoted to the displacement tragedy”. That's why I would like to start, mister High Commissioner by thanking you on behalf of the Dutch government for convening this conference. The Netherlandsbelieves that it is of the utmost importance that the international community as a whole analyses what is needed to make sure that refugees from Iraqand IDPs within Iraqreceive the protection and assistance they need. We hope that this will lead to clear, tangible indications of the needs and challenges that the international community has to address.
Numbers of IDPs and refugees in Iraqand its neighbouring countries are increasing every day. The causes of the displacement are complex and multi-faceted, and call for a multi-faceted solution. The Netherlandssupports the government of Iraqin its efforts to build a democratic and prosperous Iraq. The current problems cannot be solved by military means alone. Tangible progress needs to be made in the political process so that the government and people of Iraqcan build a future for their country based on national reconciliation. Here lies the key to resolving the current Iraqi IDP and refugee situation.
At the initiative of the government of Iraq, an important conference was held in Baghdadon 10th of March for representatives of neighbouring countries and other members of the international community. It provided a constructive forum for further discussions on possible actions to improve the situation in Iraq. We welcome the plans to set up a working group on Iraqi refugees and displaced persons, and hope that the conference at ministerial level planned for the beginning of May will produce results.
We understand that operational response capacity in Iraqand its neighbouring countries is a problem. There are various reasons for this, such as security, access and human resources. We are particularly concerned about the lack of security for humanitarian workers in Iraq, and the consequent breaches of international humanitarian law. We strongly urge all relevant parties to ensure that humanitarian workers and organisations have safe and unhindered access. We hope that UNHCR will soon be able to extend its operational capacity in Iraq, bearing in mind all security and access constraints.
Talking about Iraq, I particularly appreciated hearing minister Zebari mentioning that his government stands ready to support its neighbours in taking care of Iraqi refugees.
In neighbouring countries, the situation is becoming increasingly precarious. With numbers of refugees from Iraqcontinually on the rise, we wish to applaud the enormous effort they are putting in every day to provide adequate shelter. It is clear that these countries, in particular Syriaand Jordan, bear a very heavy burden and have been doing so for a considerable length of time.
The Netherlandshas already contributed funds in various ways, for example through UNHCR’s recent Supplementary Appeal. We are among UNHCR’s major donors, with an annual voluntary contribution of close to 41 million euros. Including emergency humanitarian assistance, our total contribution to UNHCR last year amounted to more than 68 million euros. We are also a major donor to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, with a contribution of 40 million euros a year. From this fund, 6 million dollars was recently earmarked for UNHCR and WFP activities in Iraq, Jordanand Syria. The Netherlandsalso supports projects by the ICRC and IOM in the region, with a contribution of 1.7 million euros in 2006.
On the basis of a needs assessment, the Netherlandswill determine whether additional humanitarian assistance is needed and how the most vulnerable people can be reached.
Apart from our financial contributions to humanitarian organisations to facilitate support to IDPs and to help refugees in neighbouring countries, there are other ways to make positive contributions in the current situation. The Netherlandstakes part in the UNHCR resettlement programme. Although this instrument is by nature of limited scope, its strategic importance can be great. By resettling those who are most vulnerable, we not only provide protection for the refugees themselves, but also create space to protect those who cannot be resettled. The Netherlandshas a modest quota for resettlement, and we intend to dedicate a substantial part of it to refugees from Iraq. Recently, the government of the Netherlandshas decided to grant subsidiary protection to refugees from Iraqwho seek protection in the Netherlands.
Later this week I will convey to my colleagues at the EU Council of Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs the message that I have picked up from this morning’s statements that the humanitarian situation in Iraq’s neighbouring countries is urgent. It is my firm belief that the EU should take this situation very seriously. I will therefore discuss the further action the EU can take to support the IDPs in Iraqand the refugees in its neighbouring countries. I will suggest that we should try to seek ways in which our asylum policies can be better aligned. I will call on EU partners to consider resettlement of the most vulnerable refugees. And I will urge discussion of measures we can take to prevent people having to resort to traffickers and smugglers in their search for safety and a decent future. I believe that a comprehensive approach embracing all these factors is needed. That is the only way to ensure that people who need protection get it, to develop lasting solutions which can be put in place when possible, and to assist the countries bearing the heaviest burden.
Thank you.