Monday, May 24, 2010

UNHCR warns governments against forced returns to Somalia


GENEVA, May 21 (UNHCR)  Amid a fast deteriorating situation in Somalia, UNHCR on Friday issued an urgent appeal to governments everywhere not to forcibly return people to that country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva, UNHCR's chief spokesperson, Melissa Fleming, said inconsistencies in the way that countries are dealing with people fleeing Somalia were allowing returns to happen and putting lives at risk.
"Today, we are appealing to all states to uphold their international obligations with regard to non-refoulement," she said. "In recent months there have been incidents of returns . . . These have included a further reported deportation, of over 100 Somalis from Saudi Arabia to Mogadishu in mid May."
Read more at UNHCR

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