In general the principles for action are also relevant for refugees and displaced populations, so one of the messages we believe is the need for mainstreaming of refugees within the existing principles.
- The document is relevant for all people affected by protracted crises, including refugee and displaced populations, and for all countries affected by protracted crises including countries receiving/hosting refugees affected by protracted crises.
- The 1951 Refugee Convention specifically lays out the rights of refugees, and one of the basic minimum standards is the right to work. The Convention sets out the legal framework conducive to creating conditions for the gradual attainment of self-reliance in countries of asylum. The convention binds signatory states to grant rights which make it possible for them to engage in income-generating activities, and allows them access to local facilities and services. Following the logic of the convention, with the passing of time, refugees should be able to enjoy a wider range of rights as their association and ties with the hosting state grow stronger. In this sense, the 1951 convention gives refugees a solid basis on which they can progressively restore social and economic independence. host states should make every effort to ensure protection of rights that relate to income generation. This includes the right to freedom of movement enabling refugees to market their goods and access the labour market. Equally important is refugees’ capacity to access education, health care and other social services where available. In practice this is not always the case and we would like the paper to highlight the need for advocacy and inclusion of refugees in national plans.
- According to international human rights conventions refugees have similar basic human rights as people residing in their own country, and states hosting refugees have obligations towards refugees similar to their own people. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights call for all people, including refugees, to enjoy the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family including food , clothing, housing, medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
- Comprehensive livelihood, food security and nutrition analysis should also be done for refugees to inform comprehensive policies and actions concerning refugees. Enabling refugees to engage in livelihood strategies to build resilience to food and nutrition insecurity will help refugees become less aid reliant and might help in the process towards durable solutions (including repatriation or local integration).
- Developing policies and actions concerning refugees will require a concerted action from all stakeholders, including national/host governments and international organisations.
[Detailed comments in the attachment]
UNHCR