GENEVA / CAR RETURNEES

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR has advised governments worldwide against forcibly returning refugees to the Central African Republic (CAR). The agency says the security situation in the country remains fluid and dangerous with widespread human rights abuses and a deteriorating humanitarian situation. CH UNTV

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:43
• Production Date: 30 April 2013
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES - UNHCR
• Subject Topical: REFUGEES; DISPLACED PERSONS
• Geographic Subject: CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
• MAMS Id: U130430b

Description

STORY: GENEVA / CAR RETURNEES
TRT: 1.43
SOURCE: CH UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 30 APRIL 2013, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / FILE

Shotlist

FILE – RECENT, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

1. Wide shot, Palais des Nations

30 APRIL 2013, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

2. Wide shot, press room
3. SOUNDBITE (English), Adrian Edwards, UNHCR Spokesperson:
“The situation in Central African Republic has worsened, as you all know, since December 2012 when Seleka forces launched a series of attacks from the north before taking over the capital, Bangui, in late March. In the wake of the offensive, targeted killings, arbitrary arrests, detention, torture and recruitment of children have been widely reported. Rape, disappearances, kidnappings, as well as extortion and looting in Bangui and other parts of the country are also reported. Humanitarian access to the people affected remains severely restricted.”
4. Med shot, reporters
5. SOUNDBITE (English), Adrian Edwards, UNHCR Spokesperson:
“The violence of recent months has seen some 173,000 people displaced internally, and almost 50,000 made refugees, mainly into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.”
6. Close up, journalist typing
7. SOUNDBITE (English), Adrian Edwards, UNHCR Spokesperson:
“Our aim through issuing this advisory is to see that humanitarian and asylum principles are upheld until conditions in CAR allow for safe and dignified returns. It is important also that asylum remains civilian in nature, and for this reason we are recommending that states exert caution to identify combatants and separate them from the refugee population.”
8. Med shot, journalists
9. SOUNDBITE (English), Adrian Edwards, UNHCR Spokesperson:
“We issue return advisories, most commonly in conflict related situations. It is crucial at this time, in light of the situation in CAR, that we don’t see people being sent back.”
10. Med shot, table of journalists

Storyline

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR has advised governments worldwide against forcibly returning refugees to the Central African Republic (CAR). The agency says the security situation in the country remains fluid and dangerous with widespread human rights abuses and a deteriorating humanitarian situation.

At a press briefing in Geneva, Adrian Edwards, Spokesperson for UNHCR told journalists in Geneva that “it is crucial at this time, in light of the situation in CAR, that we don’t see people being sent back.”

The situation in the CAR has worsened since December 2012 when the Seleka rebel forces launched a series of attacks in the north of the country before taking over the capital Bangui in late March.

Edwards said the aim of this advisory “is to see that humanitarian and asylum principles are upheld until conditions in CAR allow for safe and dignified returns.”

He added that it was also important “that asylum remains civilian in nature, and for this reason we are recommending that states exert caution to identify combatants and separate them from the refugee population.”

The violence of recent months has seen some 173,000 people displaced internally, and almost 50,000 made refugees – mainly fleeing to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (37,000) but also to Chad (5,000) and Cameroon (2,000).