The 1967 United Nations Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees redefined and expanded the rights stated in the UNCRSR to all refugees.

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2 UNRRA begins to oversee refugee camps. One of the first organizations to be subjected to legitimate documentation and supervision of refugees displaced after wars is now defunct. The UNHCR was established to deal with the ever-growing issue of refugees. Primary goals of this organization include protecting and supporting refugees at the request of the United Nations or state governments. The 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (UNCRSR) produced the first document that fully defines the rights and responsibilities of refugees. The 1966 Bangkok Principles on Status and Treatment of Refugees produced a document protecting the rights of refugees in Asian-Pacific Region. The 1967 United Nations Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees redefined and expanded the rights stated in the UNCRSR to all refugees. The OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa addressed the article drafted by the UNHCR defining who qualifies as a refugee and the rights and responsibilities of said persons for African Nations. The 1974 United Nations Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict was passed outlining the rights of female and child refugees. The Council of Europe's Recommendation 773 (1976) on the Situation of de facto Refugees encourages the protection of the rights of displaced persons not technically defined as a refugee. The 1984 Cartagena Declaration on Refugees for Latin America, an agreement for Latin- American countries to uphold parts of the UNCRSR and protect the rights of refugees and displaced people, was passed.

3 European Union's Council Directive defines the minimum standards for the qualification and status of third country nationals and stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection and content of the protection granted. This encourages the European Union to recognize refugees and apply the appropriate rights and responsibilities whenever possible. Refugees have been a large global issue ever since the end of the First World War. Since them, millions of people have found themselves displaced and without a home, or even a country. As the refugees continue to grow, countries, as well as the United Nations, has taken it upon themselves to help ensure the rights and safety of these refugees. The League of Nations, formed in 1921, was the first organization to deal with displacement of people en masse during the Russian Revolution. Eventually, the United Nations dedicated entire committees to resolve the issues intertwined with the ever-growing number of refugees. As treatment of the refugees became more cohesive, so did the development of their rights and freedoms. One of the earliest instances aid given to refugee was throughout the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. Its primary objective was to ensure all refugees were ensure the basic needs of survival, namely shelter, food, clothing, and fuel, to all refugees equally as most of the refugees were given aid by private charities and organizations at the time. Before the UNRRA was dissolved, it oversaw over 800 resettlement camps, housing almost seven million people. 1 Through the endeavours of the UNRRA, the United Nations realized the need to ensure the right of refugees, regardless of whether or not they held a citizenship. Subsequently, the United nations drafted a Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees in The document builds upon a previous document by the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which outlines the right a person to seek asylum from persecution from other countries in Article 14. In order to further expand on the rights which the asylum seeker would obtain, the United Nations developed the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Within this document, it properly defines a refugee and discusses the rights of those who seek or are granted asylum, as well as the responsibilities of those nations which harbours refugees or asylum-seekers. Furthermore, the document outlines what countries should not do to the displaced people they harbour, to ensure every signing country would be able to give refugees equal treatment. The refugee is required to abide by the national laws of the contracting states. 2 So long as the refugee complies to the laws of the state in which they are residing in, the state would therefore grant the refugee fundamental rights, which include, and is not limited to be able to take provisional measures against a refugee if needed in the

4 interest of essential national security (Article 9), respect a refugee's personal status and the rights that come with it, particularly rights related to marriage (Article 12), provide free access to courts, administrative assistance, identity papers, and travel documents for refugees (Article 16), allowing refugees to transfer whatever assets they have left, and provide the possibility of assimilation and naturalization to the refugee, if the refugee decides to stay in the country they are taking refuge in. With the document, the refugees were finally granted a basic set of rights to expect within a country they would find themselves taking refuge in. As time progressed, more and more conflicts began to arise within the world, causing more people to become displaced. Eventually, the original definition of the refugee within the United nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees needed to be amended, leading to the United Nations Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. The Protocol re-defined the definition of a refugee from a displaced person "as a result of events occurring before 1 January 1951" and in events occurring to Europe by removing the time resection and the geographic region, further opening the ability for other refugees to obtain rights. While the United Nations have heavily focused on the rights of refugees who have successfully entered a country for asylum, they have somewhat struggled with maintaining the wellbeing of refugees on the move from place to place through refugee camps and other temporary shelters. The UNHCR has taken steps to be more closely involved with refugees in shelters with assistive programs. Although the rights of the refugees have been maintained within most of these shelters, the United Nations has struggled to ensure the health of the refugees in these camps. Furthermore, the United Nations has also looked to expand protection to specific types of refugees, namely women and children. Due to the ever-growing conflicts, the United Nations recognized the need to ensure the safety of women and children, as they are the ones more likely to be caught in a conflict and suffer some of the harshest repercussions. In response to this circumstance, the United Nations drafted the Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict. The document essentially prohibits any attacks on any form of civilian buildings or areas, in the hopes to tackle the root of the refugees. Moreover, within the declaration, it outlines the inalienable rights of the women and children, namely access to food, water, shelter, and other basic necessities. Most governments normally agree that, as human beings, refugees have a definite set of rights and freedoms, as granted to them by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In times of peace, and few refugee surges, this generally happens quite easily, however, large influxes of asylum seekers and displaced persons can often mar this practice, and oftentimes, nations are not prepared to handle their arrivals,

5 Refugee Camps In an attempt to accommodate refugees, many counties will create camps where these displaced persons can be supported and taken care of for many months. For nations preferring to return refugees to their country of origin after the conflict there has subsided, this seems like a reasonable measure, however, there are many issues and practices within refugee camps which can expropriate these peoples human rights. Some of the challenges which many refugees living in camps have to face include health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene. The problems with water shortages and sanitation may be present in both developed and developing nations, albeit emphasized in the latter. Many hostcountries have pre-existing water shortages, due partly to extreme climate, and inadequate water and waste treatment. They may also encounter both communicable and noncommunicable diseases on a daily basis, as well as mental illness and a lack of access to proper reproductive healthcare. These issues succeed and advance due to the overcrowding of persons in close proximity and the poor sanitation that often exists in these camps. Malnutrition due to poor food supply and rationing, and subsequent low immunization coverage may also exist.

6 A review of water and sanitation provision in refugee camps in association with selected health and nutrition indicators. Many countries, upon receiving refugees, plan to integrate them into their society, in the hopes that they will become a functioning and fruitful individual in their community. Refugees living in urban areas have greater and more advantageous opportunities than those living in camps. They can remain anonymous about their refugee status, can earn their own money and livelihood, and can have a better chance at education. Their needs are also more likely to be addressed. Social integrations also presents many dangers, however, as refugees may be vulnerable to exploitation, arrest or detention. In order to be able to support themselves, refugees require access to an open labour market in their host-country. They should be evaluated for employment based on their merits, like any other employable person, and free from employment discrimination, which will be covered later on. Unfortunately, some host-states do not allow refugees to work legally under their refugee status, or it makes finding employment extremely difficult. This is particularly prominent in the Middle East and Asia, since many of these states are not parties to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951). 3 While these issues are being addressed, the more pressing ones of the refugees immediate physical needs are being paid more 3 United Nations, Office of Legal Affairs, Chapter V, Refugees and Stateless Persons

7 consideration, and often, long-term solutions are traded in favor of needs being met short term. Refugees who are not being housed in camps have several options for housing. They may rent homes or apartments, but this is often difficult for them economically, as monthly rent fees can be difficult to come up with, and many of them are unemployed. When they cannot afford apartments or houses, they resort to living in collective community centers, or buildings which have yet to be completed, causing overcrowding, and many other problems, similar to those of camp settings. Many refugees are helped by third party organizations, many of which are run by the UN. Another right promised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is access to education, and this is especially relevant to refugees who may not speak the host-country language, or who may have children whose educations have been hindered by their fleeing from their country of origin. As of June 2014, the number of refugee children enrolled in primary or secondary school comprised about 50% of the planned target for the year. 4 Although great strides have been made to ensure that these children are educated, there remains a lot of work to do, as different host countries have different problems regarding the issue. Children may struggle to adapt to the different language of the host-country s school system, or some parents may be reluctant to enroll children due to cultural differences or other concerns. There is also government concerns about school systems that may be overstretched due to an overcapacity of children enrolled in them. This can not only hinder the education of refugee children, but also of the school community as a whole. Since the 2011 Syrian refugee crisis, there has been outstanding concerns within various communities taking in refugees, that these asylum seekers will cause nothing but problems for their host-countries. Blatant racism and discrimination against this group of people from the part of their accepting communities is not unheard of, and even common in some countries. Having to face this can make the lives of refugees even more uncomfortable than they already are. Refugees, upon being granted their status, are expected to adhere to and follow the law and regulations set out by their host country, and they do so for the most part, although it is a fear in many host-nations that their will not. As previously mentioned, integrating refugees into society is one way to make their 4 UNHCR, Education Regional Dashboard June 2014, 2014.

8 individual status as refugees anonymous, however, it also places a target on the backs of the refugees as a whole within that community. They often become the scapegoats for crimes, especially theft and property crimes. This can cast a negative shadow over them as a minority group, and not only affect their quality of life, but also create fear and animosity within their host-country. Likely the most prominent refugee crisis of the 21st century, the Syrian Refugee Crisis has catalyzed the discussion about the rights of refugees, and laws surrounding their status. Refugees from Syria, while having also fled overseas, are mostly taking asylum in the countries surrounding their country of origin: Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt. Currently, the number of refugees living in camps accounts for 16% of all the three million living in the nations surrounding Syria. 5 This number, however, differs in within each host-countries, with Iraq holding the highest percentage of their refugees in camps, 36%. 6 Lebanon, and Egypt rely completely on non-camp settings to house their refugees. Again, the different host-countries circumstances dictate diverse problems for the refugees residing in them. Countries Currently Hosting Syrian Refugees In Iraq, for example, the main issue is health and nutrition, because of the limitation in financial and human resources present. An issue which is also present in Iraq, as well as many other Syrian refugee host-countries, is that of employment. Here, refugees may work legally so far as they have a residency permit, however, 5 UNHCR, 2014 Syria Regional Response Plan. Strategic Overview, 2014, p UNHCR, Shelter Regional Dashboard February 2014, 2014.

9 acquiring such permits are a challenge, since residency documents are not provided in non-camp settings. In Egypt and Lebanon, because most refugees are integrated into urban settings, cultural and language barriers are prominent. Another issue in Lebanon is that of housing and shelters. Since there are no refugee camps in this country, asylum-seekers are forced to find their own appropriate shelters, and many remain homeless or drifting, and may even resort to crime in order to meet their basic needs. The United Nations has been heavily involved with various refugee crises, especially in and around the Middle East. Organizations and bodies like the United Nations High Commission on Refugees and the United Nations Children s Fund have created various documents and goals to ensure that asylum seekers are provided their basic human rights. These third party organizations provide funding, shelter, food and basic education workshops for refugees whose host-countries struggle to provide this for them. The United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees continues to work with refugees in 183 countries around the world. They provide many form of assistance, and also advocate for the allocation of more resources to their cause. They provide tents, plastic sheeting and matting that can be used for shelter, and help fund the construction of housing infrastructure in areas of high refugee numbers. They also play a large role in healthcare, and have distributed materials for HIV prevention, protection and treatment, reproductive health, food security and nutrition, and water and sanitation purposes. They also help through cash-based intervention, distributing cash vouchers in order to help the displaced meet their daily requirements. On front which governments often fail to address, which UNHCR provides, is that of skills and productivity training. They work in camps to maximise the experience and skillset that displaces peoples bring to city areas. This action, in turn, helps to stimulate economic growth within host communities, while also providing a livelihood for the refugees. The UNHCR s work in advocacy also helps to alter government policies that affect displaced and stateless people. They work with both host countries and countries or origin to bring policies that are in compliance with national standards and which offer refugees a better way of life.

10 Tents Provided by UNHCR The United Nations Children's Fund has various objectives with regards to refugees, but focuses mostly on children s education, providing a protective environment, and ensuring that refugee children are not exploited. These are, however, short term initiatives. UNICEF fails to provide any long-term education action, such as augmenting the capacity of the host community s school system, implementing strategies to help children of refugees adapt to different dialects, and preventing sexual and employment exploitation. In general, refugee crises require both long-term and short-term deliverance. This is a delicate balance, especially because both are completely essential and cannot be compromised upon. Long-term solutions would generally involve preventing future violent conflict in the world s most unstable regions. However, this is not quite under the jurisdiction of the Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee. As well, that does not come to cover the refugees escaping environmental catastrophe, whether that be earthquakes, droughts, floods, or other natural disasters. The ability to reduce damage from those rely on more organized infrastructure and environmental management. However, one can only do so much to guard against a heavy natural disaster. In regards to human catastrophes then, there are several ways to handle the humanitarian refugee crisis in a more effective manner. Making travel safer would go a long way in reducing loss of life. 7 With controlled, safe passage, refugees would have greater opportunities to find a new home without risking their lives to get there. This may also involve increasing search-and-rescue missions to save people fleeing persecution. In status quo, many nations prefer to defer judgment and responsibility on shipwrecks and other human disasters to neighbouring countries, as the sea is often ambiguous territory. As well, granting free movement to those fleeing persecution, even without documents would deter refugees from having to 7

11 take more dangerous, more illegal paths to safety, as they would if faced with barriers. Another method is to actively resettle refugees in safer countries for them. Many governments are loathe to do this, due to potential public reaction and backlash. However, this is the most sustainable and consequential solution; resettling refugees confirms their safety to a much greater degree than simply making travel between nations safer. Despite lack of popularity among many citizens, this does have precedent - in the wake of the Vietnam War, western nations eventually accepted 1.3 million refugees and integrated them into their society. 8 Imitating refugee management techniques from previous crises could be effective in current ones. Finally, a way to ease the refugee situation is for governments to take action to reduce violence against them. Refugees and migrants alike face spectres in gang activity, human trafficking, smuggling, hostages, and ransoms. These criminal activities prey on those most vulnerable. 9 However, the high demand and profits to be gained in trafficking, the desperation of refugees, as well as the logistical and legal difficulties in prosecuting it, mean that this criminal process is difficult to be halted. A possible alleviation is to invest in more sustainable economic facets in regions where smuggling is prominent in order to provide a viable alternative to smuggling as an economic way of life. This would help both reduce smuggling in the short-term and mature the local economy in the long-term. 10 Many western liberal democracies have been accepting large numbers of refugees and can be outspoken spokespeople for their integration into society. In particular, Germany and Sweden are among the countries in Europe accepting most refugees from the crisis in Syria and the greater Middle East turmoil. Despite this stance, internal strife from nationalist opposition parties often plague these liberal efforts, and these states still need to strike a crucial balance in their foreign policy. Eastern European states often take a harder edge against refugees than their western cousins. With reduced numbers being accepted, many refugees attempt to enter Balkan countries like Serbia and Bulgaria illegally, at great risk to their lives Ibid.

12 Violence has been taken against these refugees, which has yet to be fully resolved. Hungary s prime minister has dubbed migrants as poison to the nation and planned to build a larger fence to deter entry. These countries would be pertinent to point out the substantial disruptions to their societies that refugees pose, and how they bear a large burden of responsibility. The countries of the Middle East, among the largest sources of refugees, can be divided in two regarding their refugee policy. Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt have taken in around 5 million refugees, albeit in far more difficult camps and far more challenging hopes for advancement than the ones in Europe. On the other hand, the oil-rich gulf states of Saudi Arabia and Qatar have faced criticism for their low refugee intake. Although they take in large numbers of migrant workers and other foreigners, which make up a quarter of the population in Saudi Arabia and Oman, and a majority in Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE, they have deemed refugees as a security threat, as they may be harbouring revolutionary ideals. However, these gulf states do contribute with large financial donations to agencies and NGOs. African states face a similar plight with refugee difficulties. 14 Problems in Nigeria, the DR Congo, South Sudan, and other states are perhaps less acknowledged, but equally severe of a crisis regarding displaced peoples. Whether related to natural disasters or violent conflict, these states would also seek help from more prosperous nations to support their turbulent situation. In Myanmar, there is a mass migration movement of Rohingya people (Muslim Indo-Aryans in Myanmar) due to systematic state persecution of them. 15 Although the worst of it has passed since 2015, a dangerous situation still persists. Primarily, they have fled to Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, but not until after heavy international pressure. This travel has been done via dangerous, unstable boats; many have died en route. Human trafficking has plagued this humanitarian crisis to a great extent. Myanmar would seek to minimize this and deny the persecution of their peoples, while the refugee-taking nations would seek to highlight the difficulty dealing with such a human catastrophe. On the other hand, China has been reluctant to accept refugees from Syria due to several characteristics of its state. 16 Non-intervention in other countries has been a key part of its foreign policy, and accepting refugees is considered by the government to violate that. Population control, via the one child policy, has also been a long-standing tradition of Chinese governance. Nationalism in China has been tied very closely to the fifty-six officially recognized ethnicities, which Syrians

13 are not part of. Finally, China considers that the Western countries which caused the crisis in the Middle East bear true responsibility for its aftermath. 1. To what extent should a country prioritize international cooperation over domestic concerns when dealing with refugees? 2. How should logistical challenges to safe passage be tackled? 3. What are the challenges in integrating migrant and refugee populations into the rest of the population? How should that be handled? 4. How effective are international (i.e. UN agencies) methods of dealing with refugee crises? Would domestic policies by each country be a better method? 5. How should economic migrants be distinguished from refugees in a crisis situation? 6. What responsibility does each country have to problems of an international and intra-national scale? ( D. W. (n.d.). Arab monarchies turn down Syrian refugees over security threat News DW.COM Retrieved March 27, 2017, from 8 ways to solve the world refugee crisis. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2017, from Forced Migration Review. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2017, from Kingsley, P. (2015, September 04). 10 ways to manage the migration crisis. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from Morlin-Yron, S. (2017, January 11). Africa's silent refugee crisis: 12.4 million on the run in their own countries. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from Moulson, G. (2016, August 28). Where key countries stand on Europe's ongoing refugee crisis. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from

14 Pan, L. (2016, March 07). Why China Isn't Hosting Syrian Refugees. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from Parameswaran, S. P. (2015, July 23). Why Southeast Asia's Refugee Crisis Matters. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (n.d.). The 1951 Refugee Convention. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from United Nations, Office of Legal Affairs, Chapter V, Refugees and Stateless Persons UNHCR, Education Regional Dashboard June 2014, UNHCR, Shelter Regional Dashboard February 2014, UNHCR, 2014 Syria Regional Response Plan. Strategic Overview, 2014, p. 24.