UNHCR Chief: US Restrictions on Asylum May Breach Global Protections

The UNHCR Chief suggests that US asylum restrictions could infringe upon international protections. This statement highlights concerns regarding compliance with global standards for asylum seekers, implying potential violations of established humanitarian norms. The assertion underscores ongoing debates and legal implications surrounding asylum policies in the United States, prompting scrutiny and discussion on the broader implications for international refugee rights and protection.

According to the UNHCR report, the total number of individuals experiencing forced displacement increased to 120 million last year, which marks a rise of 6 million compared to the previous year.

Boston Brand Media discovered the trending news - The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, acknowledged that the Biden administration has implemented new restrictions on asylum-seekers entering the United States. However, he cautioned that certain parts of the executive order might contravene the international legal obligations for refugee protection.

Grandi made these remarks to The Associated Press as the UNHCR released its "Global Trends" report for 2023. According to the report, the total number of individuals globally subjected to forced displacement increased to 120 million last year, marking a rise of 6 million compared to the previous year.

The refugee agency pointed out that the total number of forcibly displaced people, approximately 120 million, roughly equals the entire population of Japan.

The report also highlighted that three-fourths of these individuals, encompassing both refugees abroad and internally displaced persons, resided in poor or middle-income nations.

Grandi emphasized that this underscores how migration and refugee movements are not solely concerns of wealthy nations.

Grandi expressed regret that crises in Africa, particularly in Sudan where 10.8 million were displaced due to conflict between rival generals in April 2023, have been largely ignored. He criticized the international focus on refugee crises in Gaza and Ukraine, overshadowing Sudan's plight.

He noted that the United States has grappled with significant refugee challenges, especially concerning the influx across the US-Mexican border, which he described as the most complex issue faced by any developed nation.

Grandi criticized the Biden administration's proposed new restrictions on asylum-seeking migrants at the border, suggesting they may be politically motivated ahead of November's national elections and could potentially breach international humanitarian law.

However, he acknowledged the administration's plan to resettle around 125,000 refugees in the US as a significant demonstration of American generosity.

Boston Brand Media also found that, In the US, a coalition of immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit against the administration on Wednesday over its recent asylum directive at the southern border, arguing it resembles a previous action by the Trump administration that was halted by the courts.

Under pressure from the US government, Mexico has intensified its efforts to detain migrants before they can reach the US border. These migrants are often transported back south on buses and subsequently released—a strategy criticized by migrant advocates who argue it is designed to deplete their resources.

However, this approach also exposes migrants to multiple risks, including extortion from authorities and abduction by criminal organizations.

The UNHCR report underscored challenges encountered by refugees and internally displaced persons amid conflicts in nations such as Congo and Myanmar. It emphasized that Syria continues to suffer the world's most extensive displacement crisis, affecting nearly 14 million individuals who have been forcibly displaced within Syria and across its borders.

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Source: Indianexpress‍