UNHCR CONCERNED ABOUT STRICTER ROYG POLICIES ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000291 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARP AMACDONALD AND PRM JDEUTSCH EMBASSY AMMAN FOR RINGRAHAM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PHUM PGOV PREL PMIG UNHCR YM SUBJECT: UNHCR CONCERNED ABOUT STRICTER ROYG POLICIES ON REFUGEES REF: SANAA 211 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. In a February 1 meeting with the Ambassador, UNHCR Representative Claire Bourgeois described recent developments in ROYG policy towards both Ethiopian and Somali refugees as reflecting an attempt by the ROYG to begin controlling an ever-increasing refugee population. Bourgeois asked the Ambassador to help facilitate the return of DHS circuit-ride teams to Yemen in order to conduct interviews of potential refugee resettlement candidates. Bourgeois also requested help in securing additional funds for food aid for the UNHCR-run Kharaz refugee camp. Although recent ROYG policy changes towards refugees are a step in the right direction, hasty implementation could lead to more problems for both Yemen and its refugee population in the future. END SUMMARY. CHANGES IN ROYG REFUGEE POLICY AND ARRIVAL TRENDS -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In a February 1 meeting with the Ambassador, UNHCR Representative Claire Bourgeois expressed concern over recent cases in which Ethiopian arrivals have been detained by ROYG officials and then deported before being interviewed by UNHCR regarding eligibiltiy for refugee status. Bourgeois said that recent discussions with the ROYG have focused on gaining access to these individuals and finding a way to recognize more as refugees. ¶3. (SBU) Bourgeois believes that the increasing number of deportations is part of a larger ROYG policy shift on immigration and refugees. According to Bourgeois, Dr. Ali Muthana, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and chairman of the National Committee for Refugee Affairs (NCRA),said that official ROYG policy towards Somali immigrants will change but &they are in no hurry8 to implement these changes until an effective system is in place. Muthana said changes will possibly include scrapping universal prima facie refugee status for all Somali arrivals to Yemen and granting it only to those from certain unstable regions within Somalia; all other arrivals would have to claim asylum. Another potential change would include limiting the freedom of movement for Somali refugees once they arrive. Muthana said that these changes will not affect those currently in Yemen, but only new arrivals. Refugees currently in Yemen are required to �00A;register with the ROYG by March (reftel). ¶4. (SBU) Bourgeois stated that there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of arriving Somalis this January compared to a year ago at the same time. (Note: Although January's numbers are down from the previous year, overall refugee arrivals in 2009 saw an increase of 55 percent compared to 2008 arrivals. End Note.) She attributed the recent decrease to the increased strength of authorities in the autonomous northerneastern region of Puntland, Somalia and to the large-scale arrests of smugglers in Obock, Djibouti. (Note: Puntland and Obock are the main departure points for Horn of Africa refugees arriving in Yemen. End Note.) Finally, Bourgeois believes that the market for smugglers may have decreased as word spread among the Somali population that, rather than making their way to the more desirable Gulf states, most refugees remain in Yemen. UNHCR REQUESTS ASSISTANCE FROM THE U.S. -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Bourgeois asked the Ambassador for help facilitating the return of DHS circuit-ride teams to screen possible resettlement candidates to Yemen. (Note: The DHS circuit-ride teams are responsible for interviewing refugees that have been prescreened by UNHCR and its partners and determining eligibility for resettlement in the U.S. End Note.) Historically, these visits were done bi-annually and lasted approximately 10 days. However, visits by these teams have been restricted due to ongoing security concerns in the country. The last visit aimed at screening Somali refugee candidates took place in July 2008. According to UNHCR, there are 572 persons who have been prescreened and are awaiting an interview with DHS. Bourgeois noted that the places available for resettlement from Yemen are extremely limited and that the cases in question represent those with the most compelling needs. She added that delays in the resettlement process add to feelings of hopelessness and frustration in the refugee community. (Note: The U.S. is the SANAA 00000291 002 OF 002 primary recipient of refugees from Yemen through the U.N.'s resettlement process. End Note.) Bourgeois emphasized the fact that future cancellations of DHS circuit-ride teams will only increase tensions and significantly hinder UNHCR,s resettlement efforts in Yemen. (Note: Post is currently working with DHS to restart the circuit-ride teams. DHS has submitted March 20-29 as tentative dates for the next visit through the regional refugee coordinator. End Note.) ¶6. (SBU) Finally, Bourgeois expressed concern over the continuation of food aid to the UNHCR-run refugee camp in Kharaz, outside of Aden. The World Food Program (WFP) projects that due to lack of funding, the amount of food aid it will be able to distribute will decrease by 50 percent per person from its original amount as of March 1, 2010. She asked for any assistance the Embassy could provide. The Ambassador told Bourgeois that he would discuss the possibility of additional emergency assistance for WFP with the USAID mission director. COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Recent changes to the government's refugee policy in Yemen - such as requiring registration, considering suspending prima facie refugee status for Somalis and restricting refugee movement in Yemen - appear to be part of a broader security strategy on the part of the ROYG to control its borders and increase stability within the country. Although these steps are promising, hasty implementation without a clear system in place to handle the sheer number of refugees could be disastrous for the refugee community. It is also unclear if the ROYG, burdened by so many other pressing economic and political concerns, is either willing or able to tackle the complicated and potentially sensitive issues surrounding its buregeoning African refugee population. END COMMENT. 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