PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
UN agency condemns Sudan's deportation of Eritrean refugees
New York, US (PANA) - The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Tuesday
condemned Sudan’s deportation of Eritrean asylum-seekers on Monday, saying it was
concerned over the increased frequency of such incidents.
The UNHCR, in a statement made available to PANA in New York, said two asylum-seekers
jumped off a truck carrying them to the border with Eritrea, ``resulting in the death of one,
while the other seriously injured and four other asylum-seekers were deported at the
same time''.
The UN agency said these violated both international and Sudanese laws.
The statement said ``The asylum-seekers had been convicted on charges of illegal entry to Sudan under national immigration laws. They had at no time been provided with access to asylum procedures.
``Such deportations of asylum-seekers without having their claims reviewed by the competent authorities amount to refoulement and constitute a serious violation of the
1951 Refugee Convention as well as the 1974 Sudanese Asylum Act,” UNHCR said.
According to the agency: ``Since May this year, Sudan has deported at least 30
asylum-seekers and refugees to Eritrea, where UNHCR believes they are likely
to face persecution''.
``The UN refugee agency has consistently reminded Sudan of its obligations under
international and Sudanese laws.
``UNHCR urges the Sudanese Government to stop the ongoing deportations and to provide all asylum-seekers currently in detention with immediate access to asylum procedures,” the statement noted.
-0- PANA AA/VAO 26July2011
condemned Sudan’s deportation of Eritrean asylum-seekers on Monday, saying it was
concerned over the increased frequency of such incidents.
The UNHCR, in a statement made available to PANA in New York, said two asylum-seekers
jumped off a truck carrying them to the border with Eritrea, ``resulting in the death of one,
while the other seriously injured and four other asylum-seekers were deported at the
same time''.
The UN agency said these violated both international and Sudanese laws.
The statement said ``The asylum-seekers had been convicted on charges of illegal entry to Sudan under national immigration laws. They had at no time been provided with access to asylum procedures.
``Such deportations of asylum-seekers without having their claims reviewed by the competent authorities amount to refoulement and constitute a serious violation of the
1951 Refugee Convention as well as the 1974 Sudanese Asylum Act,” UNHCR said.
According to the agency: ``Since May this year, Sudan has deported at least 30
asylum-seekers and refugees to Eritrea, where UNHCR believes they are likely
to face persecution''.
``The UN refugee agency has consistently reminded Sudan of its obligations under
international and Sudanese laws.
``UNHCR urges the Sudanese Government to stop the ongoing deportations and to provide all asylum-seekers currently in detention with immediate access to asylum procedures,” the statement noted.
-0- PANA AA/VAO 26July2011
