What's Happening?
The European Union, represented by H.E. Ambassador Hedda Samson, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, delivered a statement at the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly Third Committee Interactive Dialogue on the Report
of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The EU expressed deep alarm over persistently high levels of forced displacement and statelessness worldwide, reaffirming its commitment to protecting individuals in need of international protection in accordance with international law. The statement emphasized the importance of respecting international humanitarian law, protecting humanitarian space, ensuring accountability for violations, facilitating humanitarian access, and safeguarding humanitarian and medical personnel. The EU also voiced concerns about the growing challenges faced by refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, and host communities.
Why It's Important?
This statement underscores the EU's continued dedication to global refugee protection and highlights the severe humanitarian challenges facing the international community. The reaffirmation of commitment to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol as the cornerstone of international refugee protection is crucial in an era of increasing displacement. The EU's strong support for UNHCR's core protection mandate and its efforts to preserve dedicated protection expertise, including in areas like sexual and gender-based violence and child protection, are vital for ensuring the safety and dignity of forcibly displaced persons. The concerns raised about UNHCR's severe funding constraints also point to a critical need for sustained international financial and political support to address the escalating crisis effectively.
What's Next?
The EU will continue to support responses to forced displacement across various regions, including Sudan, Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Myanmar, while also hosting millions of refugees, such as those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Efforts will focus on clarifying priorities, reducing duplication, and strengthening efficiency and sustainability within UNHCR, aligning with the UN80 process and the Humanitarian Reset. The EU supports UNHCR's '50 by 35' vision, which aims to advance self-reliance and inclusion of displaced persons in national systems through cooperation with host governments and humanitarian and development partners. The EU also plans to continue its political and financial support for UNHCR staff and partners on the ground, emphasizing the importance of a route-based approach to address complex mixed movements and identify vulnerabilities early.
