Sri Lanka: Don’t endanger asylum seekers, demands UNHCR

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A UNHCR spokesperson said they would, within their mandate and available resources, ensure the protection of asylum seekers and refugees, and added that ensuring their protection is also the responsibility of the host country.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Sunday Leader
By Fathima Razik | July 20, 2014

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said that, though not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Sri Lanka is bound to observe and respect the principle of non-refoulement under international customary law, which prohibits sending asylum-seekers or refugees to places where their lives and freedoms would be in danger.

UNHCR works with the government to try and identify the solution in accordance with international refugee law and standards.

Responding to a question posed by The Sunday Leader on the assurance given to Pakistan and Afghanistan asylum seekers in Sri Lanka with regard to their protection, a UNHCR spokesperson said they would, within their mandate and available resources, ensure the protection of asylum seekers and refugees, and added that ensuring their protection is also the responsibility of the host country.

The UNHCR also believes that the government of Sri Lanka will assist UNHCR in finding a sustainable solution to the issue that would be on par with international refugee protection standards and norms. The spokesperson also said in response to a question on the violation of the rights of the asylum seekers as they are registered with the UNHCR, that if they are deported, it would be a violation of their rights.



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