Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme
Standing Committee 24th meeting

NGO Statement on the Agenda for Protection

25 June 2002

The Agenda for Protection, the product of an unprecedented consultative process sets out fundamental goals in refugee protection. As non-governmental organisations (NGOs), we have actively engaged in this process in partnership with States, UNHCR, international organisations, and other actors. Now, the words need to be put in action. The Agenda for Protection will only be a meaningful document if it is operationalised and it results in improved protection of refugees.

As NGOs, we welcome the Agenda and endorse its overall objective of reinforcing the protection regime of refugees and improved standard setting. At the same time, we regret that the Agenda for Protection does not cover certain vulnerable but sizeable groups such as urban refugees. Also, we are concerned about the over-emphasis on Article 1F of the Convention, the exclusion provision. We also believe that inadequate attention is given to the issue of detention of asylum-seekers. We welcome the re-introduction of human rights language and the reference to key human rights instruments, which would include the Convention against Torture.

We affirm the vital protection mandate of UNHCR, and the central role UNHCR must play in now implementing the Agenda for Protection. But others must also do their part. As we heard yesterday, UNHCR is facing a financial crisis. States must commit themselves to providing the necessary funds for implementation.

The Agenda articulates a number of other important State responsibilities, including strengthened implementation of the Convention itself. As NGOs, we also have a role to play. We have been actively involved in the process so far. We fully intend to continue to fulfil our responsibilities as stakeholders.

Mechanisms that ensure the Agenda's implementation must be put in place, to ensure that we achieve the goals and objectives of the Agenda for Protection.

We recommend that a follow up process be established that includes the following:

1. In line with statements and interventions made this morning, we support the establishment of an independent forum for protection in which we look forward to participate.
2. In implementing the Agenda for Protection, prioritisation should be based on needs and should be done within the independent forum on protection, with the full participation of all stakeholders in the Global Consultations.
3. Parallel protection forums should be set up by UNHCR field and branch offices in collaboration with other stakeholders, including NGOs and refugees.
4. Progress in implementing the Agenda should be reported under a separate item of the Executive Committee.
5. The content of the Agenda for Protection should be broadly communicated to all stakeholders at all levels, including at the field level.