United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established as a result of General Assembly Resolution 428 (V) of 14 December 1950 "The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ... shall assume the function of providing international protection to refugees and of seeking permanent solutions for the problem of refugees. The work of the High Commissioner shall be of an entirely non-political character; it shall be humanitarian". The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees is the key legal document defining who is a refugee, their rights and the legal obligations of states. The 1967 Protocol removed geographical and temporal restrictions from the Convention. The role of UNHCR has recently been extended by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Principals to lead preparedness and response in protection, camp coordination and management and emergency shelter where the response addresses situations of internal displacement caused by conflict (rather than natural disaster).

UNHCR in Nigeria

UNHCR Nigeria is working in partnership with: 1) FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA to Harmonize and Align its strategy with National Development Strategy (NEEDS/SEEDS/LEEDS) and NEPAD Objectives; 2) UN AGENCIES & INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS for Implementation of Development through Local Integration (DLI)/4Rs(Repatriation, Reintegration, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction) strategies in line with UN Reforms towards achieving MDGs and NEPAD objectives in Nigeria, using CCA/UNDAF frameworks and country specific development programmes; 3)ECOWAS EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT: Capacity Building of ECOWAS Department of Humanitarian Affairs through Partnership in Action Strategy and Establishment of a Regional Center for Emergency Training in International Humanitarian Situation (e-Center); 4) NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS such as Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), National Commission for Refugees (NCFR) and National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) ; and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) like Justice Peace and Development Commission and Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS).

Major objectives and strategies

Attain durable solution to refugee situations in Nigeria and ECOWAS Sub-Region particularly through local integration of Sierra Leonean and Liberian refugees within the framework of ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movements, Right of Residence and Establishment.

Develop dynamic partnership with the UN System in Nigeria, ECOWAS Commission Federal Government of Nigeria and Civil Society Groups.

Support Government's capacity to assume responsibility for protection of persons of concern.

Outstanding concerns

Advocate at ECOWAS level for adoption of the Memorandum on Equality of Treatment for Refugees as well as a framework for its implementation.

Ensure sustainability of refugee status determination, a role which has been undertaken by the National Commission for Refugees (NCFR).

Increase RSD hubs to other regions in view of the geographical spread of the country and build capacity of NCFR staff.

Ensure socio economic self reliance for refugees of other nationalities relocated outside of the Oru refugee camp

Recent developments

Appointment of a substantive Federal Commissioner for Refugees after four years has brought renewed vision to the issues of refugees

ECOWAS Memorandum on Equality of Treatment: The Council of Ministers during its meeting in June 2008 adopted recommendations of the September 2007 Experts meeting on Trade, Customs and Free Movement of Persons on Memorandum on Equality of Treatment of refugees with other ECOWAS citizens.

EPRS Mission to ECOWAS: The objective of the mission is to assist in the strengthening of the ECOWAS Emergency Response Team strategy for Humanitarian Response. This is in continuation of ongoing UNHCR capacity building of the EERT and the decision of ECOWAS member states on the need to formalize the existence of the structure by relevant statues.

ECOWAS Common Approach on Migration: Following the adoption of the Common Approach by the Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS in January 2008 and a directive to develop a plan of action, UNHCR advocacy for incorporation of the 10 point plan of action into the Work plan was adopted by ECOWAS committee of experts. The Common Approach was adopted as it was agreed that enhancing free movement within ECOWAS would reduce movements towards countries outside the region.

Government Decision on Cessation: On 2 April, 2008, the Nigerian Government through the Federal Executive Council approved the declaration of cessation on the Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees in Nigeria for December 2008; Closure of the Oru refugee Camp by December 2008 and forwarding of the Multipartite agreement between Nigeria, Sierra Leonean and UNHCR and ECOWAS to the President of ECOWAS Commission for possible consideration during the summit of Heads of State and governments in June 2008 with a view to applying it in other parts of the sub-region.

Local integration of Sierra Leonean and Liberian refugees in Liberia: Based on the commitment of the Governments of Sierra Leone, Liberian and Nigeria on local integration and following the decision of the Federal Government, implementation of the Multipartite agreement for local integration has assumed a more comprehensive durable solution strategy taking into account not only local integration but voluntary repatriation as well as the process for exemption from cessation. Sensitisations and registration were held by all parties to the Multipartite Agreement and modalities for implementation of the cessation clause and exemption are being discussed with NCFR.

Reinstitution of Refugee Appeal Board: After five years of being inactive and UNHCR advocacy, the Refugee Appeal Board was constituted by the Government in April, 2008. Training was conducted for members of the Board, following which the Board held its inaugural sitting and considered 40 appeal cases.

Reintegration of Nigerian returnees: In view of the scheduled pullout from Taraba by 30 June, 2008, the office commenced implementation of its exist strategy on programme and operation with strong emphasis on sustainability in collaboration with UN agencies and the Government at Federal, State and Local levels.