19265: Esser: UN agency calls on Haiti's neighbours to open borders to those fleeing strife (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

UN News Service

UN agency calls on Haiti's neighbours to open borders to those fleeing
strife

26 February 2004 – The United Nations refugee agency today urged
Haiti's neighbours to open their borders to those forced to flee the
worsening civil strife in the Caribbean country.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issued a statement from
its headquarters in Geneva saying it was coordinating contingency
plans with Haiti's neighbours in case there is a large outflow of
refugees.

Hope Hanlan, the UNHCR's Director for the Americas, cited the 1951
Refugee Convention in calling on governments in the region to respond
humanely to any Haitians seeking asylum because of the current
turmoil.

"Obviously, not everyone who leaves a country is a refugee," Ms.
Hanlan said, "but those who are forced to flee must have access to
international protection."

Since the recent outbreak of political violence began in Haiti, the
UNHCR has reported 30 people have sought asylum in Cuba, 62 in
Jamaica, and up to 300 in the Dominican Republic.

The agency has already boosted its staff presence in the Dominican
Republic in anticipation of the arrival of more asylum-seekers, while
discussing its contingency plans with Cuba, Jamaica and the United
States.
.