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Regional protection zones

20 June 2003

Commenting on proposals for regional protection zones, Refugee Action’s chief executive Sandy Buchan said:

“The Prime Minister’s statement is timely given that it is World Refugee Day today – the day on which we remember just how long overdue workable solutions to the world’s refugee crisis are.

“Refugee Action cautiously welcomes proposals for regional protection zones if and in so far as they are firmly rooted in a true commitment on the part of the UK’s government to foster human rights and extend access to refugee protection.

“Nevertheless, many questions remain about how such a programme would be implemented. Most importantly, we believe that for any such scheme to work, agencies like UNHCR and those working on regional solutions, must be adequately funded, which they are not at present. These proposals must not become an impractical, expensive distraction from policies that could help address the reasons why people are forced to seek asylum in the first place. Mr Blair must put match fair words with money and strengthen and affirm the relevance of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.”

For more information please contact: Refugee Action's press office on 020 7654 7707 or 07810 757 752 (out of hours).

Notes to editors

Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and long-term commitment to their settlement through community development work. As one of the country’s leading agencies in the field, Refugee Action has 21 years’ experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the number of refugees entering Europe has almost halved over the past decade. Applications to EU countries fell from 675,460 in 1992 to 384,530 in 2001 – a drop of about 43 per cent.
The UK, one of the richest countries in the World, hosts less than 2 per cent of the world’s total refugee population.

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