International Conference on Addressing the Humanitarian
Needs of the Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons inside Iraq and in
Neighboring Countries
Geneva, 17-18 April 200
Holy See
Statement by H.E.Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent
Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
Office at Geneva
Mr. President,
1. In Iraq it seems “easier to die than to live,” as some media reported
in the face of the increasing violence and daily atrocities that are destroying
innumerable lives and the hope of an entire people. The initiative taken
by the UNHCR to bring together representatives of governments and of
humanitarian organizations is therefore an opportune and promising decision.
The Delegation of the Holy See expresses its appreciation and looks forward,
as a result of this conference, to heightened awareness on the part of the
international community and to concrete forms of help for the uprooted populations
of Iraq. Over the years, the UNHCR has rescued and given hope to millions
of victims of persecution, conflicts and violation of basic human rights.
We are all challenged to maintain this noble tradition.
2. The world is witnessing an unprecedented degree of hate and destructiveness
in Iraq; this phenomenon concomitantly exerts a widening deadly impact in
the entire Middle East region. Sectarian and tribal clashes, military actions,
armed groups competing for power, kidnappings, rapes, international terrorism,
threats to and murder of the innocent members of families simply because
they uphold their ancestral faith - these are all elements that, in combination
threaten human dignity and social wellbeing in the region. Targeting of unarmed
civilians is a particularly tragic sign of total disregard of the sacredness
of human life. While the consequences of this generalized violence
affect the social and economic life of the country, they also are a stark
reminder of the passionate appeals of the late Pope John Paul II to
avoid “the tremendous consequences that an international military operation
would have for the population of Iraq and for the balance of the Middle East
region already sorely tried, and for the extremisms that could stem from
it.” He insistently called for negotiations even though he knew well that
peace at any price might not be possible. (John Paul II, Angelus, 16 March
2003).
3. Massive uprooting and displacement of the Iraqi population is now indeed
a tremendous consequence. The figures are telling: some 2 million Iraqis
currently displaced internally and 2 million others have already fled the
country and between 40 and 50,000 are fleeing their homes each month.
The very generous welcome provided by Jordan and Syria in particular and
by the other countries is certainly highly commendable. Economic, social
and security concerns, however, are putting to the test this willingness
and capacity to welcome. It is urgent, therefore, for the international community
to take up its responsibility and share in the task of protection and assistance,
to answer the call for action now through the implementation on the ground
and in practical decisions of the legal and moral commitments it patiently
formulated and agreed upon. Where war and violence have destroyed the social
tissue and the unity of Iraq, judicious political choices and a non-discriminatory
humanitarian engagement would be the first step to re-establish a pluralistic
unity.
4. There are special categories of victims that stand out in this largest
Middle East exodus since the still unresolved Palestinian one of 1948. Displaced
women, elderly and children bear the brunt of the tragedy. With the experience
of daily violence and, even more tragically, with the killing of family members
before their eyes, many children are traumatized and remain without professional
care. Most uprooted Iraqi children wake up in their exile to a daily experience
of uncertainty, deprivation, lack of schooling, and to hard labour just to
attain the minimal essentials of human survival. One has to wonder how their
psychological scars will condition the future. Christian and other religious
minorities who have been a target of forced eviction and ethnic and religious
cleansing by radical groups find themselves in limbo in their temporary place
of refuge since they are unable to return to their homes and are without
a possibility of local integration or resettlement. It is the suffering of
all the victims that should prompt a coordinated, effective and generous
response.
5. A comprehensive reconciliation and peace are the obvious responses that
address the root of all forced displacement. As the international community
pursues this complex goal, addressing immediately the needs of the millions
of uprooted Iraqis and other refugees in the area will prevent further regional
destabilization and will relieve their pain. This is not the time to look
at technical definitions of a refugee, but to recall “the exemplary value
beyond its contractual scope” attributed by States, from the very beginning,
to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951). Recently, the
development of the concept of complementary protection has become a significant
conclusion to support a humane response in massive displacement. Therefore,
among the practical measures that must be upheld and implemented as means
of due protection, are acceptance of all people fleeing generalized violence,
respectful of their human rights and of the principle of non-refoulement,
registration for an orderly assistance, provision of appropriate legal documentation.
In this humanitarian response, the countries hosting displaced Iraqis
cannot be ignored by the international community and must receive tangible
and prompt solidarity. A community-inclusive approach to assist vulnerable
displaced people and hosts can be a winning strategy for an effective outreach
even to needy persons who are the most isolated and vulnerable. In
fact, without this solidarity, the victims escaping violence are at risk
of new forms of exploitation and of being deprived of health
and education services, housing and employment possibilities. Facing such
vulnerability, some persons are tempted to place themselves in the hands
of smugglers in order to escape but simply are confronted with additional
difficulties in the countries they manage to reach.
While the first humanitarian need is peace, equally vital is a coordinated
response that raises awareness of the immense crisis we face. Such a response
must involve actors from States, civil society and United Nations.
In order to ameloriate the plight of all displaced people inside and outside
the country, this response must enjoy a responsible participation of all
Iraqis.
All humanitarian workers who have been delivering active assistance, notwithstanding
risk and sacrifice, deserve the appreciation from the global human
family as well as adequate resources to carry out their mission. They
serve as effective instruments, as shown, for example, by the tens of thousand
of people of all backgrounds and convictions being helped daily by the Catholic
charitable network in Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Egypt. Local
NGOs as well as faith-based organizations and others often have the best
capacities to reach out to the neediest, build upon community solidarity,
and, in this moment of increased tensions between ethnic, tribal and religious
groups, open up genuine dialogue. It makes good sense that they be empowered,
financially supported and actively engaged in situation assessments and response
programming.
6. In previous but similar crises of massive displacement, the mobilization
of the international community proved effective in providing durable solutions.
There is a need to match past effectiveness. While the right to return has
to be kept alive for displaced Iraqis, other examples in recent history
have demonstrated that the option of resettlement may need to be enhanced,
and doors opened by more countries and for greater numbers, so that pressure
within the region may be alleviated on a short- term basis. A renewed
and concerted effort is called for, however, to make conditions in Iraq and
in the whole region conducive to a decent and sustainable coexistence among
all its citizens. The historical diversity of communities can contribute
to a democratic experience and can link this society to the world. Such a
contribution presupposes mutual acceptance, the rejection of homogeneization,
and constructive pluralism. The implementation of all durable solutions to
end displacement in this context can prevent the emergence of chronic, protracted
situations that result in long-term and humiliating circumstances for
large numbers of new refugees.
Mr. President,
7. My Delegation is convinced that, at this juncture of the Middle East crisis,
vigorous leadership is demanded of the international community. Surely, the
greatest challenge is to find a way for reconciliation, to reconstruct the
will to dialogue, and to hope again so that peace may win. Generous, timely
and coordinated humanitarian help for all the victims of such horrific violence
will achieve justice for them and will begin the indispensable process of
healing their tragic condition.