Speech #1090059893

Acting High Commissioner for Refugees. United Nations High Commission for Refugees. DEAR MS. CHAMBERLIN: We are writing to express our serious concerns about the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in January of this year by UNCHR. Cambodia. and Vietnam. In particular. we are concerned that the MOU does not ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to guarantee that refugee decisions are fully informed and voluntary. and does not provide UNHCR with unfettered access to returnees inside Vietnam. Accordingly. we urge the suspension of all repatriations of Montagnards to Vietnam until credible international monitoring of returnees is established in the Central Highlands. While the MOU commits Cambodia to provide temporary protection to Montagnard refugees and asylum seekers. we are troubled by ongoing reports of their forcible repatriation by Cambodian authorities. As you are likely aware. credible reports describe continuing persecution. repression. and mistreatment of Montagnards in Vietnam. including those who have returned from refugee camps in Cambodia. The fact that UNHCR has had no access to the 35 Montagnards repatriated to Vietnam under the MOU thus far is particularly problematic. More immediately. we are concerned for the welfare of the approximately 100 rejected asylum seekers in Cambodia. and urge that none of them be forced back to Vietnam in current circumstances. Against this background. we respectfully request that UNHCR: Seriously reevaluate the MOU and work with Cambodia and Vietnam to revise it to ensure that refugee decisions are fully informed and truly voluntary. and that UNHCR has full and unfettered access to returnees inside Vietnam. Suspend all repatriation of Montagnards until adequate monitoring is in place in the Central Highlands. Maintain its protective mandate over all Montagnard shelters in Phnom Penh. including Site 1. which currently houses rejected cases. Reopen the rejected caseload in Phnom Penh for those interested in having their cases considered on appeal again. and Press the Vietnamese government to streamline the procedures for family reunification of Montagnards in Vietnam for those who have received authorization from the U.S. government to join family members in the United States. Historically. UNHCR has taken the lead in protecting refugees around the world. important work that we strongly support. However. we are concerned that. unless it is promptly remedied. the January MOU sets a dangerous precedent for refugee protection in Cambodia and elsewhere by lowering the standards for refugee repatriation. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely.