Letters

Fairness

Transparency

Accountability
Text Box: FORUM NOTES This forum is intended to provide a public space for discussion of the protection challenges involved in UNHCR performance of refugee status determination. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the opinions of RSDWatch.org. Submission Guidelines To submit a letter, click here. To submit a column, click here. Letters and columns will be edited for style, length, relevance and norms of civil debate. Postings from refugees are particularly welcome. Identities will be withheld upon request if the author states a compelling need for anonymity. Letters should be less than 300 words in length; columns may be up to 850 words.

Agree ? Disagree?

Join the discussion. Write a reply.

 

 

13 November 2005

 

UNHCR should give clear reasons for rejection and an opportunity to appeal

 

I need to react to what NGOs have expressed [advocating fair RSD procedures at UNHCR].

 

I do believe that this view is very consistent with the UN as an organization promoting the rule of law and transparency. It makes sense for those who have not been recognized "refugee" by the UNHCR to be given the right to challenge that decision. And in order to do so they would need to know on what basis their application for refugee status has been rejected. Thus the UNHCR should make this information available to the failed applicant.

 

This is the standard in any domestic court of most UN members. Why should the UNHCR put itself above the law? By law, I have in mind certain principles and rules governing the UN while promoting the "rule of law and good governance".

 

Jean-Pascal Obembo, Esq

LLB (Hons), LLM, DESS

 

 

 

 

 

 

This site is not associated with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and does not reflect the views of UNHCR.

RSDWatch.org

An independent source of information about the way the UN refugee agency decides refugee cases.

 

A project of Asylum Access