Madam President. the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees recently reported that armed attacks against refugee camps and settlements have been increasing in recent years. These acts of aggression are occurring around the world in places as diverse as Angola and Thailand. but they are alike in character. They are attacks against large concentrations of defenseless civilians. This is clearly reprehensiblea flagrant crime. What is more. not only the scope but the type of violence is worsening. The UNHCR is witnessing "new forms of brutality and physical assaults against refugees. which by their horror and viciousness remind us of some of the worst manifestations of human wickedness." The circumstances of these attacks vary. The assailants may come from across the borders and escape back into their own country where they go unpunished. Sometimes the host country denies the incident. The refugees are people without a homeland. without a government to protect their rights. Their only advocates are the international humanitarian groups who try to act as their witnesses. Countries are anxious not to tarnish their world image. so the hope is that a strong international presence will deter attacks against refugees. We must add our voice to the outcries against such attacksjust as we must add our voice to the condemnation of genocide. It is crucial that we protect the rights of the powerless. and that we make our opposition to human rights abuses well known and indisputable.
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Refugees refugee refugees