With the working paper they aim to increase cooperation among countries in order to prevent all forms of forced migration as well as protect forced migrants. It seems that they have agreed to focus on both prevention and protection, which was an often heard priority of some member states.
They have tried to achieve wider cooperation by broadening the definition of displaced persons to include internally displaced persons and refugees, reiterating the importance of democratic institutions, the rule of law and respect for human rights as well as cooperation in diplomatic and humanitarian fields. At this point we are wondering whether a broader definition that includes both refugees and displaced persons is really a solution - this does not contribute significantly to the legal status of internally displaced persons and their protection so member states might want to consider this a bit further.
In their statement the sponsors said that they strongly encourage the international community to set up a system which would work through a case-by-case approach, which is not surprising as it was an often heard policy from the representatives of UK and USA.
Regarding the burden sharing policy - which was also one of the demands of many member states, especially European and African, the sponsors suggest that States to refer the question of burden sharing to the High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development and form a thematic resolution on International migration and development in the second committee of the General Assembly.
Tamara Kajtazović
Here is the full text of the statement:JOINT STATEMENT: WORKING PAPER ON FORCED MIGRATION
Arab Republic of Egypt, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America have prepared a working paper on the topic of forced migration. The sponsors are aware that forced migrants are one of the most vulnerable categories of persons facing instability, insecurity, violence, discrimination, human trafficking and other dangerous and deeply traumatic experiences, and this working paper aims to increase cooperation among countries in order to prevent all forms of forced migration as well as protect forced migrants.
Besides recalling several important international documents on this issue, the sponsors tried to achieve wider cooperation by broadening the definition of displaced persons to include internally displaced persons and refugees, reiterating the importance of democratic institutions, the rule of law and respect for human rights as well as cooperation in diplomatic and humanitarian fields. It is important that all authorities and actors on international, regional and national are involved in these processes. The sponsors strongly encourage the international community to set up a system which would work through a case-by-case approach and devise an individualized scheme of protection once it had identified the needs of specific forced migrants.
The sponsors have taken into account the needs and ideas of other countries in the committee. After several multilateral meetings on the issue of burden sharing, including G8 and an ad hoc group of 18 States, we included burden sharing as an important aspect of forced migration regime. There are many different types of donors that are very important for the effective performance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and their role must be recognized. In the working paper the Sponsors suggest that States to refer the question of burden sharing to the High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development and form a thematic resolution on International migration and development in the second committee of the General Assembly.
Sponsors would like to thank all those countries who have participated in consultations prior to the release of the working paper and made valuable improvements to the working paper.
Tamara Čakić
Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations
Iva Petković
Permanent Representative of United Kingdom to the United Nations
Urška Učakar
Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations
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