Refugees: A Multilateral Response to Humanitarian Crises
- ISBN-10
- 0877254052
- ISBN-13
- 9780877254058
- Series
- Refugees
- Pages
- 29
- Language
- English
- Published
- 1992
- Publisher
- Institute of International Studies, International and Area Studies, University of California, Berkeley
- Author
- Sadako N. Ogata
Description
In this lecture, delivered at the University of California, Berkeley, on April 1, 1992, Mrs Sadako Ogata, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, examines the changing nature of the refugee problem in the post-Cold War era, the new opportunities for conflict resolution which multilateral cooperation is producing, and the challenges to developing an effective response to the refugee problem in a conflict-ridden world. Mrs Ogata begins with a brief historical perspective on refugee movements and the changing nature of the problem. Special attention is given to internal conflicts rooted in nationalistic, ethnic and religious violence. After a brief recounting of the major conflicts, the High Commissioner examines the multilateral machinery available within the United Nations system for conflict resolution. Several examples of active UN efforts are presented. The final section of the lecture focuses on UNHCR as the humanitarian arm of many UN peace-making efforts. Mrs Ogata describes the importance of protection and especially the problem of protection for those who return in the midst of conflict and insecurity. Also mentioned is the general problem of finding mechanisms for the international protection of individuals in their own country and the evolution of law and policy in dealing with problems of sovereignty and national jurisdiction. Specific examples of novel ways of addressing this problem are illustrated, such as in El Salvador and Sri Lanka. Mention is also made of the growth of multilateralism in the field of development.
