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Statement on the protection of displaced civilians

Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations, Saša Jurečko, at the Briefing of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

I thank the High Commissioner Grandi for his update on the work of the UNHCR and the current situation concerning the forcibly displaced and stateless people. With the record high number of forcibly displaced people the role of UNHCR remains indispensable.

Mr. President,

Beginning with one of the world’s largest displaced communities, Palestine refugees, we are currently most concerned with those living in the Gaza strip. My delegation has been clear for months: we need a ceasefire and we need it now. Moving a displaced population around the Strip remains unacceptable and we condemn all attacks on civilians living there. We underline last week’s ICJ ruling on halting the military offensive. ICJ’s rulings are legally binding and we call on Israel to respect international law.

We welcome tireless efforts of humanitarian organizations, including UNHCR, to provide life-saving humanitarian aid and services to people in and from Gaza.

Secondly, to address the impact of conflict on regional stability, we must urgently focus on the tragedy in Sudan. To date, nearly nine million people have been forcibly displaced, with no end in sight. Civilians, including refugees, suffer horrific violations. Many, trapped by the fighting, are unable or prevented from seeking safety. We are faced with the rapidly deteriorating situation in El Fasher. Also here we find a desperate need for an immediate nationwide cessation of all hostilities. Safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need must be ensured.

Just this morning, we heard the briefing on Syria. My delegation underlined the immense humanitarian needs of refugees and the displaced, and stressed the importance of conditions for safe, dignified and voluntary return of Syrian refugees.

We are also concerned over the escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the security and humanitarian situation drastically worsened. The same goes for Myanmar, where refugees and internally displaced people cannot return to their homes.

And let’s not forget about Ukraine, where the recent Russian offensive on Kharkiv Region has left thousands of people displaced, in addition to over 6 million refugees who have been forced to leave Ukraine since 2022.

In most instances, displaced persons and refugees encounter protection risks and are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Women, children, older persons and people with disabilities carry a disproportionate brunt of this burden.

Finally, climate change and environmental degradation are significant threats to security. Climate related disasters are becoming a major cause of displacement both within the countries and internationally.

Mr. President,

Many of the humanitarian crises are man-made. The Security Council cannot remain silent. We must not allow for the international law, including international humanitarian law to be ignored.. We cannot let our own resolutions go unimplemented. Every and each one of us must do more.

International cooperation, invigorated by last year’s Global Refugee Forum, more predictable and equitable responsibility sharing, and sustainable funding are crucial. Slovenia is taking its role very seriously: We have increased our humanitarian contributions to organizations helping refugees, including the UNHCR.We will be continuing with our demining projects in Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon via ITF Enhancing Human Security. We will play our role in resettlement of Syrian and Afghan refugees from Türkiye and shall endeavor to ratify the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness as soon as possible.

Mr. President,

The number of forcibly displaced people is not merely a reflection of the gravity and scale of conflicts, but also a reflection of the inability to act when needed. We must step up our commitments to ensure a better world for the children of today and the future generations, including by placing more efforts in seeking durable solutions and complementary pathways for refugees. Our continued support to the UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations in their important work is indispensable.

Thank you.

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