Gillian Turgiz, Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees at the United Nations for Protection Affairs, called on Myanmar's neighbors to protect people fleeing the violence, noting that the UNHCR is appalled by the escalation of violence and the resulting human suffering and displacement.
"The indiscriminate violence in Myanmar is pushing people to flee within the country and across the borders," Tarjes said, urging countries across the region to urgently provide shelter and protection for all those fleeing.
The statement added, "The confirmed facts are that human border practices can be adhered to amid public health and other border control measures, in order to ensure that people in need of protection have access to land and asylum," stressing that shelter must be provided for children, women and men fleeing to save their lives. Nor should they be returned to a place where their lives or freedom would be in danger, in accordance with the principle of non-refoulement, which is the cornerstone of international law.
The statement noted that Myanmar's neighbors have long decades of providing protection and assistance to refugees, calling on these countries to continue their life-saving humanitarian tradition, stressing that UNHCR and partner organizations are standing throughout the region ready to intensify support for national and local authorities to ensure that refugees get the protection they need.
Comments
Post a Comment