Egypt, Elsewedy review progress on Ain Sokhna phosphate complex    US employment cost index 3.6% up in year to June 2025    Egypt welcomes Canada, Malta's decision to recognise Palestinian state    Pakistan says successfully concluded 'landmark trade deal' with US    Sterling set for sharpest monthly drop since 2022    Egypt, Brazil sign deal to boost pharmaceutical cooperation    Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Egypt exports first high-tech potato seeds to Uzbekistan after opening market    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Sudanese protests force UNHCR to close Cairo office
Published in Almasry Alyoum on 02 - 04 - 2011

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has closed its head office in Egypt until further notice due to ongoing protests by Sudanese refugees demanding to be resettled outside Egypt.
The protests started about three weeks ago and escalated until aggressive confrontations between refugees and UNHCR personnel forced the organization to temporarily close the office on Tuesday -- a decision not to be taken lightly considering the large number of refugees yet to be registered.
Sudanese refugees assert that Egypt's revolution has amplified the insecurity and fear of a situation already made tense by refugees' inability to obtain proper legal working status here, as well as severe racial discrimination.
The UNHCR is responsible for registering refugees in Egypt, and the Egyptian government has agreed to recognize those who have been registered. However, in practice such recognition has remained limited.
In 2005, approximately 2000 Sudanese refugees protested outside the old UNHCR office in Mohandessin, demanding relocation for similar reasons. The police raided the protest and killed at least 23 people, including children.
“We have few rights and are not welcomed into the community properly by the Egyptian government,” said Muhammed Suliman, a refugee who is championing the resettlement protest, told Al-Masry Al-Youm.
With Egypt now engulfed in a politically turbulent transitional period, many Sudanese refugees fear for their lives and are demanding that the UNHCR resettle them abroad.
“We come here [Egypt] as refugees to escape our own country,” said Suliman. “What is the point for me and my family to stay home all day afraid, never knowing what is going to come tomorrow. If we will be arrested or deported. It is not a good situation for my family to live in.”
UNHCR officials said they are unable to comment at the present time.
In related news, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees visited Egypt this week and praised Egypt's handling of the Libyan crisis during a meeting with Prime Minister Essam Sharaf on Thursday.
Antonio Guterres said he was grateful that Egypt opened its doors to refugees fleeing the violence in neighbouring Libya.
“This is a new beginning in our relations and for refugee protection in Egypt. I hope the UNHCR will be able to enhance its assistance program, in cooperation with the Egyptian government, and increase the number of resettlement places for refugees staying in Egypt.”
Guterres asked the international community to show the same level of solidarity with Egypt as Egypt had shown to Libyans, and thanked the government for setting up refugee shelters on its border.
He said: “It is important to ensure the traumatized people who fled Libya have humane conditions at the border area until they can be evacuated or a solution found.” He said that a total of US$18 million has been spent repatriating migrant workers who had fled Libya through the Egyptian and Tunisian borders.
Guterres added that it is “essential” that humanitarian relief reaches those inside Libya -- yet in a press conference after the meeting he did not say how relief can be delivered, refusing to endorse humanitarian missions supported by NATO.
He said that a UN delegation in Tripoli was working on ways to secure passage for humanitarian aid.
Guterres dismissed concerns that the crisis would leave Egypt unable to cope with large numbers of homeless Libyans, saying that of the 25,000 who arrived most will not stay and can be helped to go home.


Clic here to read the story from its source.