Syria: UN rights
expert calls for urgent and coordinated response to world’s largest IDP crisis
GENEVA (26 May 2015) – The United Nations Special
Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Chaloka Beyani,
today described the displacement crisis in Syria as “staggering in its
proportions” and requiring an urgent and coordinated response from the
Government of Syria and national and international humanitarian organizations
working in close partnership.
“The situation in Syria has turned into the world’s
largest displacement crisis with some 7.6 million people currently internally
displaced and the prospects of new displacement high given the instability in
many parts of the country,” Mr. Beyani warned after his official mission to
Syria – one of the first visits undertaken to the country by a UN appointed
human rights expert since the crisis began.
“It is also an extremely complex and challenging crisis
to respond to in view of the ongoing conflict, acts of terrorism and the
overall security situation, as well as factors hindering an effective response,
including the current shortfall in international funding for essential
humanitarian assistance and the effects of international sanctions,” said the
expert. Mr Beyani visited Damascus, Homs and Lattakia from 16 to 19 May to
consult widely on the situation of internally displaced persons.
The Special Rapporteur welcomed the Government’s actions
to-date to respond to the needs of IDPs. “However,” he said, “I fear that I saw
only the very tip of a massive displacement iceberg in Syria.”
“Those that I did see are likely to be those in
relatively safe locations and with adequate conditions and services. I am
deeply concerned by the situation of many more hundreds of thousands of IDPs
and overstretched host families facing dire circumstances, insecurity and lack
of basic needs,” Mr. Beyani noted.
The human rights expert, whose visit took place as the
ancient city of Palmyra fell to ISIS creating a new flow of displaced persons,
pointed out that the main responsibility falls on the Government of Syria, but
acknowledged that “it undeniably faces an immense task and cannot cope alone.”
“I was shocked to learn from UN Agencies that funding for
essential humanitarian assistance currently amounts to only 18 per cent of
requirements,” he said. “The international community must respond and urgently
bolster support to humanitarian agencies working tirelessly to alleviate the
suffering of the millions of innocent people affected by the displacement
crisis in Syria.”
Equally, the expert noted, the Government of Syria must
allow UN and other humanitarian actors to function freely in areas under its
control and where security allows it, with unhindered access to all locations
and IDP populations. “While the Government’s concern for their security is
greatly appreciated, bureaucratic and other restrictions on full and rapid
access to IDPs and at-risk communities are a major impediment to their work and
effectiveness and should be lifted,” he said.
“It is testament to the humanity, generosity and
resilience of the Syrian people that the vast majority of IDPs have been housed
with families and communities that have absorbed the huge influx of desperate
people,” the expert noted. “This places a heavy burden on families and must not
be considered a permanent solution to the displacement crisis, but a temporary
measure until more durable solutions are possible. Support to host families is
also essential.”
Visiting the old city of Homs, the UN Expert stated “The
extent of the devastation brings home the trauma and psychosocial distress that
must have affected those who experienced the conflict and were forced to flee
their homes, as well as the extent of the challenges facing the Government in
rebuilding destroyed buildings and infrastructure for people to return to their
homes.”
Mr. Beyani visited several IDP collective shelters to
assess the Government responses to-date. In those facilities he was able to
visit, essential needs are being met and IDPs expressed satisfaction with the
assistance being provided to them. Parents reported that their children are
attending schools and basic medical facilities were provided.
Nevertheless, the expert highlighted that “three or four
years after their displacement, many are living in cramped and extremely basic
shelters, with several family members sharing a single room. Many are reliant
on humanitarian assistance, lack employment and have little prospect of return
to their homes or improvement to their living conditions. Some face suspicion
of support for armed groups.”
“While the Government has taken valuable policy and
institutional steps for the protection of women and children, many remain
vulnerable to abuse of their rights and violence, including sexual violence and
such measures should be strengthened and extended,” he said. Recognizing that
sexual violence is particularly prevalent in ISIS controlled areas, he reminded
all parties to the conflict of their responsibilities under international human
rights and humanitarian law and standards.
Mr. Beyani paid tribute to humanitarian workers from both
UN Agencies and national NGOs such as the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), and
Syrian volunteers who are putting their lives at risk to perform their duties
in extremely difficult and often dangerous circumstances.
The Special Rapporteur will produce a full report and
recommendations to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council.
(*) Check the Special Rapporteur’s full end-of-mission
statement:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=16008&LangID=E
ENDS
Chaloka Beyani, professor of international law at the
London School of Economics, was appointed Special Rapporteur on the Human
Rights of Internally Displaced Persons by the Human Rights Council in September
2010. Learn more, visit: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IDPersons/Pages/IDPersonsIndex.aspx
The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the
Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest
body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name
of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that
address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of
the world.
Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not
UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from
any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
Check the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IDPersons/Pages/Standards.aspx
UN Human Rights, country page – Syria:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/MENARegion/Pages/IQIndex.aspx
For further information and media inquiries, please
contact Graham Fox (+41 22 917 9640 / gfox@ohchr.org) or write to idp@ohchr.org
For media inquiries related to other UN independent
experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917
9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)
UN Human Rights, follow us on social media:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/UNrightswire
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/UNOHCHR
Storify:
http://storify.com/UNrightswire
Nema komentara:
Objavi komentar