Position Paper Refugees
Committee: Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
Topic: Refugees
Country: The Republic of Sri Lanka
School: Mahatma Gandhi Institute
Refugees have traveled the world for centuries in search of a home, of their human rights and of peace. Yet, the number has never been as high as it is today, particularly since the mid-1990s. 43 million of people, nowadays, are forced to run away from their homelands and find refuge elsewhere. The reasons for the rising number of refugees vary from war threats to poverty but above all, moving is a consequence of fear. There are different stages of displacement. While some are attempting to flee the direct effects of foreign invasions, civil war or environmental effects, others are attempting to establish a new life in a new country.
During the twenty six years of civil conflict in Sri Lanka, civilians have flown away from the island to look for asylum elsewhere. Five years after the end of the conflict, most of the internally displaced persons have return back to their homeland. However, there is still a considerable, though undetermined, number of Sri Lankans in exile.
The refugee issue has been a major concern of the Sri Lankan government. The number of asylum-seekers, entering the country has not diminished in the five past years and deportation is not easily achieved. Since 2011 Sri Lanka has witnessed an improvement in security in the country as well as a shift in humanitarian dependency to a self-developing country. By this time, most of the internally displaced persons-approximately 395,000 persons- have returned back to their homes. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is present in the north of the island-which is the most prone return area-to help with the coming flow of refugees and returnees.
Sri Lanka is facing a lack of space due to the sudden rise of population. Much area is still considered as agricultural land, slowing down the process of development though the work to re-establish
Topic: Refugees
Country: The Republic of Sri Lanka
School: Mahatma Gandhi Institute
Refugees have traveled the world for centuries in search of a home, of their human rights and of peace. Yet, the number has never been as high as it is today, particularly since the mid-1990s. 43 million of people, nowadays, are forced to run away from their homelands and find refuge elsewhere. The reasons for the rising number of refugees vary from war threats to poverty but above all, moving is a consequence of fear. There are different stages of displacement. While some are attempting to flee the direct effects of foreign invasions, civil war or environmental effects, others are attempting to establish a new life in a new country.
During the twenty six years of civil conflict in Sri Lanka, civilians have flown away from the island to look for asylum elsewhere. Five years after the end of the conflict, most of the internally displaced persons have return back to their homeland. However, there is still a considerable, though undetermined, number of Sri Lankans in exile.
The refugee issue has been a major concern of the Sri Lankan government. The number of asylum-seekers, entering the country has not diminished in the five past years and deportation is not easily achieved. Since 2011 Sri Lanka has witnessed an improvement in security in the country as well as a shift in humanitarian dependency to a self-developing country. By this time, most of the internally displaced persons-approximately 395,000 persons- have returned back to their homes. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is present in the north of the island-which is the most prone return area-to help with the coming flow of refugees and returnees.
Sri Lanka is facing a lack of space due to the sudden rise of population. Much area is still considered as agricultural land, slowing down the process of development though the work to re-establish
References: for the position paper of Refugees : "UNHCR Global Appeal 2012-2013 - Sri Lanka." UNHCR News. Howie, Emily. "Sri Lanka Is a Refugee-producing Country. Here 's Why."Theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, "Sri Lanka Guardian: Tamil Refugees, MH 17 and Palestine." Sri Lanka Guardian: Tamil Refugees, MH 17 and Palestine.