FORUM: General Assembly

QUESTION OF: Measures to reduce xenophobia within UN resettlement camps in post-conflict regions

SUBMITTER: Switzerland

CO-SUBMITTED BYJapan, Palestine, Ireland, Colombia, Philippines, Vanuatu, Syria, Red Cross and Central African Republic

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

Considering that there are nearly 22.5 million refugees and 40 million internally displaced people,

Recalling states to comply with their obligations under humanitarian law relating to refugees and international human rights in regards to physical and verbal abuse on the account of an individual’s nationality, race, gender, religion, sexuality, physical disabilities, or other discriminatory grouping,

Expresses its hope for acceptance of multiculturalism and peaceful coexistence in post-conflict resettlement camps for all migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, and displaced persons,

Reminding all nations of the General Assembly Resolution 429 on refugees, adopted on 28 July 1951 by the United Nations Conference states that “the Contracting States shall apply the provisions of this Convention to refugees without discrimination as to race, religion or country of origin”,

Approving of UN General Assembly Resolution 194 written on December 11, 1948 which states “That refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for property of those choosing not to return and for loss of or damage to property which under principles of international law or in equity should be made good by Governments or authorities responsible,”

Deeply concerned by the discrimination some refugees face that cause them to be excluded from public services, among other basic rights of the host country such as health services, shelter, economic aid and right to property,

Further recalling its relevantWorld Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance of 2001 which evaluates the unjust treatment of refugees in resettlement camps,

  1. Urges states to execute and adopt, at both national and global level, viable measures and strategies, which:
  2. Supplement pre-existing anti-xenophobic legislation,
  3. Act as mediums to raise awareness amongst all refugees and organizations to stand firm against prejudice and xenophobia;
  4. Strengthen the human rights training and awareness-raising activities designed for immigration officials and civil servants and sensitizing them to discriminatory behavior;
  1. Encourages the establishment of regional educational programs to work in partnership with NGO’s and other areas of civil society:
  2. Initiating a process of assimilation, rehabilitation and immersion of any and all refugees, through the implementation of:
  3. Designated learning facilities,
  4. A comprehensive platform to ensure a hands-on approach towards the process of cultural diversity,
  5. Emphasize the importance of tolerance, diversity, acceptance, and equality;
  1. Asks states to provide psychological support by professional counselors to all refugees
  2. Bi-weekly group therapy sessions that provide a safe space for refugees to be open about their accounts of persecution,
  3. Access to psychological support available to refugees during all hours of the day;

4.Strongly recommends that nations with refugee camps, provide education to their population by;

  1. Providing the option of language classes based on the languages spoken in the resettlement camps, led by professional language teachers,
  2. Giving lectures and classes to the public on different cultures from places of conflict,
  3. Host programs where locals and refugees can interact;
  4. Sport tournaments,
  5. Mentor local families,
  6. Cultural events, and
  7. Community Service activities;

5. Acknowledges that some nations lack economic support and therefore calls for assistance from NGOs that have already pledged their support including, but not limited to:

  1. UNICEF
  2. World Health Organization (WHO)
  3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
  4. Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE);
  1. Calls upon states to provide efficient and effective access to legal and administrative procedures and other action to subjects of xenophobia in the refugee camps;
  1. Urges individual States to open their labor markets to refugees, which would benefit both refugees and States;
  1. Requests the creation of United Nations Statistical Analysis Program regarding Xenophobia (UNAPX), which reports on xenophobic behavior within refugee resettlement camps, with the intention to produce annual reports including:
  2. Refugee demographics, including but not limited to:
  3. Total population, their nationality and age groups
  4. Working jobs of any kind
  5. Percentage of receiving education
  6. Staff fluctuations,including but not limited to:
  7. Staff identity
  8. Criminal background
  9. Working hours
  10. Space availability
  11. Insurance of human rights, including but not limited to:
  12. Access to basic health care and hospital beds,
  13. Availability of clean water sources and adequate nutrition;
  1. Requires a stronger upholding of human rights to prevent and effectively address xenophobic acts, including political, legal, administrative, educational and awareness through measures such as:
  2. Adopting and enforcing laws concerning hate crimes;
  3. Ensuring prompt, impartial and thorough investigation and prosecution:
  4. Combating impunity and lack of accountability for offenders;
  5. Enacting harsher sentences for hate crimes;
  6. Making hate crimes visible: collecting and publicizing previously censored data;
  7. Unequivocally condemning manifestations of xenophobia and encouraging distinguished personalities to speak against xenophobia;
  8. Ensuring that public administration staffing, including law enforcement institutions, reflects truly the multicultural diversity of the respective population;
  9. Ensuring full and effective participation of victims groups in the design and implementation of measures against xenophobia;
  10. Inviting media to avoid negative stereotypes and xenophobic rhetoric;
  1. Urges Member States to give refugees the right to return;
  1. Decides to remain actively seized upon this matter.