DURABLE SOLUTIONS

Durable Solutions Refugee status is temporary Durable solutions widely recognized are: Voluntary Repatriation Local Integration Resettlement

Voluntary Repatriation It is the most preferred solution It is possible only when the situation in the country of origin has improved It has to be voluntary – Refugees have to be willing to return Safety and dignity needs to be observed during the process.

Plan for integration in the home country must be in place to avoid multiple flights future conflicts (access to land, schools, health care etc). Information to refugees is important.

Local Integration Involves integration refugees in the host community Integration must be both social and economical Human Rights must be observed Example: Naturalization of about 162,000 1972 Burundian Refugees in Old settlements

Resettlement Involves resettling a refugee in a third country It is available to very few refugees (less than 1%) It is always resorted to when the other two options seem to be impossible. Resettlement countries set criteria such as: Single women heads of households Refugees with health problems or disabilities

Relevant provisions of the law VolRep S.34 of the Refugees Act Art. 8 (c) of the Statute of the UNHCR Art. 5 of the OAU Convention Art 9 of the Statute of the UNHCR

Relevant Law … Local Integration Art. 34 of the 1951 Convention – Naturalization Art. 8 (c) of the Statute of the UNHCR – Local Integration/Assimilation within new national communities Art. 2 (4) of the OAU Convention – State part may appeal to other member states to lighten the burden of granting asylum.

Relevant Law … Resettlement S. 36 of the Refugees Act Art 9 of the Statute of the UNHCR

Discussion Question How does the encampment policy promotes the finding of durable solution?