United Nations High Commissioner On Refugees To Examine Global Challenges At York University Open Forum

TORONTO, November 3, 1998 -- The distinguished international diplomat who holds ultimate responsibility for the world's 22 million refugees - Madame Sadako Ogata, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - will speak on Global Challenges facing her office during an Open Forum at York University on Friday, November 6 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Senate Chamber, room N940, Ross Building North.

Ogata's presentation, hosted by the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University, will provide an opportunity for non-governmental organizations, refugees and immigrants, students, faculty, media and others to hear first-hand about the state of refugees in the world's "hot spots". Ogata has recently returned from a tour of Kosovo, where she met with national and local political leaders on behalf of the 20,000 refugees in Albania, 45,000 displaced in Montenegro and 200,000 displaced in Kosovo itself.

"This is a rare opportunity for Canadians to encounter an extraordinary woman and significant world leader," said Professor Anne Bayefsky, Director of the Centre for Refugee Studies. "As UN High Commissioner since 1991, Madame Ogata has directed international protection efforts in every region of world crisis or conflict over the last decade - from Angola and Rwanda to Sierra Leone and Cambodia." The Centre for Refugee Studies, a CIDA Centre of Excellence since 1991, is widely respected for its prominent work in advancing refugee and international human rights standards through sponsorship of high profile events, research, networking, education and training.

Ogata has just been re-elected as Head of UNHCR for an additional two years. She was appointed High Commissioner after a lifetime of diplomatic service which included appointments as Chair of UNICEF and numerous other high-profile posts in humanitarian and international affairs.

Ogata recently highlighted worldwide political developments which have seriously increased her Commission's responsibilities in the protection of refugees:

renewed conflict in many parts of Africa

the social and economic crisis in the Russian federation

the financial turmoil in Asia

the increase in the number and frequency of internal conflicts exacerbated by religious, ethnic and linguistic differences in numerous countries

The UNHCR is concerned that in the face of growing long-term refugee displacements from multiple regions, industrialized societies such as Canada may adopt more restrictive asylum policies, decrease resettlement quotas or place emphasis on control of illegal landings, rather than on protection of legitimate claimants. As well, the UNHCR is experiencing decreases and delays in financial aid contributions from cooperating nations, leaving UNHCR programs facing serious shortages in regions of crisis.

Canada has been an active supporter of the UNHCR's activities, both in the field and within international organizations.

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For more information, please contact:

Jean Ann Lowry
Centre for Refugee Studies
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 55883

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor for Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087

Anne Bayefsky
Director, Centre for Refugee Studies
York University
(416) 736-5663
YU/076/98

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Canada and Refugees: Quick Facts Backgrounder

There are 22 million refugees worldwide- internally or externally displaced by war, terrorism and ethnic, religious or political conflict.

In 1997 approximately 25,000 persons had their refugee claims considered by Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board. Of these, just over 40% were accepted as convention refugees. In addition, Canada brought about 7,700 refugees from overseas under the "government-assisted program". About 2,600 are privately sponsored by churches, voluntary organizations or family members.

In 1997, the top refugee-producing countries to Canada were Sri Lanka, Czech Republic, Iran, India, Pakistan, Mexico, China, Algeria, Congo (Zaire) and Somalia.

Canada chairs the Puebla Group, which brings together the ten countries in North and Central America to coordinate international migration issues on this continent.

Recently the Federal Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada received the Auditor General's Report on its refugee determination system, which identified the need for improvements in the process. The House of Commons Standing Committee has submitted recommendations regarding immigration detention and removal processes. The Department has undertaken a new Refugee Resettlement Model and Assistance Program and is currently completing a legislative review of immigration and refugee policies.

Pressing issues facing Canada regarding refugees are:

Taking a leadership role in prevention of internal and national conflicts and in peace building, to mitigate the root causes of involuntary migration. The 1990's have seen a proliferation of violent internal conflicts along ethnic, religious and linguistic lines and in response to demographic pressures, economic stagnation and environmental degradation.

Consolidation of public support for Canada's model of refugee protection. Many host countries have moved toward temporary protection as a flexible and solution-oriented refugee policy, granting temporary asylum with early return to the home country as the preferred option for the majority of refugees. Canada's approach has been different - viewing the granting of asylum as part of a permanent solution and placing our refugee determination system as the first step on a continuum which ultimately ends in the granting of citizenship and full participation in Canadian society.

Maintenance of public confidence in our refugee determination system in the face of growing cynicism in public discourse on refugee issues.

It is estimated there are 7,500-10,000 refugees in limbo in Canada because they are unable to produce documents that the Immigration department considers "satisfactory".

Fighting large scale people-smuggling while maintaining access for legitimate refugees. It is estimated that, internationally, people-traffickers move as many as four million illegal migrants each year and earn as much as $7 billion.

Working with CSIS to develop an effective system for security checks of refugee claimants as early as possible in the process.