Rights and duties - UNHCR Frequently asked questions (2024)

FAQs

Rights and duties - UNHCR Frequently asked questions? ›

UNHCR works to ensure refugees and displaced people can settle in a safe place, far from conflict or those trying to harm them, and are not pushed back into areas where their lives are in danger. We rapidly deliver life-saving supplies and mobilize expert staff to protect them.

UNHCR works to ensure refugees and displaced people can settle in a safe place, far from conflict or those trying to harm them, and are not pushed back into areas where their lives are in danger. We rapidly deliver life-saving supplies and mobilize expert staff to protect them.

The cornerstone is the principle of non-refoulment (Article 33) which states that refugees have a right not to be sent back to their country of origin if their life or freedom would be at risk. Countries that have signed the Convention are obliged to treat refugees according to the standards outlined.

Three durable solutions—voluntary repatriation, local integration in the country of first asylum or resettlement in a third country—are the options available for the permanent resolution of the 'refugee cycle'.

Overview. At the core of all humanitarian actions lie the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence. These principles, rooted in international humanitarian law, have been embraced by the United Nations through General Assembly Resolutions 46/182 and 58/114.

In order to more accurately reflect the planning and work of the organization and in an attempt to tap into new funding sources, UNHCR has developed a new budget structure that is 2 Page 3 divided into four pillars: refugees, stateless persons, reintegration activities and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

UNHCR works to protect refugees, displaced and stateless people by advocating for their rights. We work with governments and partners to advise on and strengthen laws and national systems and help provide services. Through this we help ensure displaced people can access documentation, education, work and health care.

About migration and human rights

Human rights violations against migrants can include a denial of civil and political rights such as arbitrary detention, torture, or a lack of due process, as well as economic, social and cultural rights such as the rights to health, housing or education.

UNHCR is primarily mandated to provide international protection and humanitarian assistance, to ensure inclusion in national systems and to seek, together with Governments, durable solutions.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a United Nations agency mandated to aid and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people, and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to a third country.

What are the key challenges of UNHCR? ›

These are: a decreasing number of refugees; • increased internal displacement; • growing numbers and complexity of irregular and mixed migration movements; and • a pressing need for reform across the humanitarian response system.

UNHCR's primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. In its efforts to achieve this objective, the Office strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, and to return home voluntarily.

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more.

UNHCR's core values are integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity.

It elaborates five core directions on which UNHCR will focus – protection; responding in emergencies and beyond; promoting inclusion and self-reliance, including through the engagement of development actors; the empowerment of the people UNHCR serves; and the pursuit of solutions.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

UNHCR is primarily mandated to provide international protection and humanitarian assistance, to ensure inclusion in national systems and to seek, together with Governments, durable solutions.

Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.

As UNHCR's most generous government partner, the United States, through its funding to UNHCR, makes a life-saving impact on the lives of forcibly displaced and stateless people around the world.