ADDRESS BY AMBASSADOR CARLOS
PORTALES, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF CHILE, AT THE 59ª SESSION
OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S PROGRAMME
Geneva, October 6, 2008
Mr. Chairman, Mr. High Commissioner,
Distinguished delegates,
We thank the High Commissioner for
his important statement on the various challenges the organization is
confronted with in all its areas of action, in particular with regard
to the rising numbers of refugees, the impact of the global food crisis
and the present economic recession.
We fully concur with the statement
made by the Dominican Republic on behalf of GRULAC.
The objectives defined in pursuit
of sustainable solutions, as well as the proposals submitted to this
end, deserve our full support.
Existing and newly arising conflicts
forebode increasing numbers of problems that will have to be dealt with.
Mr. Chairman, Chile was one of the
20 Latin-American countries, which in 2004 adopted the Mexico Declaration
and Plan of Action meant to strengthen the international protection
of refugees in our continent. The said Plan has proved to be a successful
tool for increased protection of refugees and internally displaced.
One of the most innovating aspects of the Mexico Plan of Action is the
Solidarity Resettlement Programme. This mechanism is enshrined in the
principles of international solidarity and shared responsibility. This
initiative makes it possible for any Latin-American country to join
the Programme at any time it considers appropriate, offering shelter
to refugees from other countries of the continent.
In 1999, Chile signed a solidarity
resettlement agreement with the HCR. As a result, small contingents
of refugees resettled in our country. Subsequently, other countries
of the region joined the initiative. This shows that the countries of
Latin-America are aware of the importance of favoring the establishment
of resettlement policies within a framework of principles and criteria
of eligibility, including observance of the principle of non discrimination.
As a means of reiterating our commitment
to the Mexico Plan of Action, since 2005 our country has received 91
Colombian refugees and has manifested last year its readiness to resettle
an additional number of refugees of that nationality.
Likewise, in response to an HCR
appeal to the international community, Chile offered shelter to a group
of 116 Palestinian refugees from Iraq, a process which was carefully
prepared by the relevant Chilean authorities.
On the other hand, as far as the
HCR Structural and Management Change Process is concerned, it is beyond
doubt that this is a subject which requires our particular attention.
Decentralization and regionalization are essential to increasing HCR's
efficiency and the whole process deserves our support.
Finally, Mr.Chairman, allow me to
reassure you of my Government's dedication to continue cooperating with
all HCR programmes, contributing, together with the members of the Executive
Committee, to the promotion and protection of refugees and internally
displaced.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
