Showing posts with label Refugee Crisis. Show all posts

Nov 21, 2015

US house passes bill to restrict entry of Syrian, Iraqi refugees

11/21/2015
Republican-dominated US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted to bar Syrian and Iraqi refugees from entering the United States over the security concerns.
The bill was overwhelmingly voted by 289 in favour to 137 opposed and bill now needs to be passed by the Senate. It seeks to impose more stringent security provisions on already robust screening of Iraqi and Syrian refugees entering US.
The passage of bill is consider as a major setback for the Obama administration as the US President had opposed such a move and also because a large block of Democratic lawmakers voted in favour of the bill. The bill was also passed amid of threat by President Barack Obama to veto it.
 
Comment
 
The passage of Bill by US House of Representatives also follows the barbaric terrorist attacks in Paris (France) on 13 November 2015 by seven Islamic State radicals which left 129 people dead. One of these seven perpetuators is thought to have been a Syrian refugee who entered Europe via Greece along the other refugees.
Earlier in September 2015, Obama administration had announced its plan to resettle around 10,000 Syrian refugees in the US till September 2016.
Since Syrian civil war which began in 2011 to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad regime, millions of Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries and to Europe.

Nov 20, 2015

UNHCR chosen for 2015 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development

11/20/2015
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been chosen for the prestigious 2015 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development.
The prestigious award has been bestowed on office of UNHCR in recognition of its
  • Immense contributions in assisting millions of refugees in their rehabilitation and resettlement.
  • For working under difficult circumstances to bring about changes in order to reduce the flow of refugees.
UN Refugee Agency was chosen for this edition of award by the international jury of the prize, headed by Vice President Hamid Ansari. It was declared on the occasion of 98th birth anniversary of India’s Iron Lady Indira Gandhi who was first women Prime Minister of India (in office from 1966–1977 and 1980–1984).

About United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

  • UNHCR is a United Nations agency mandated to protect and support refugees. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group.
  • Established: December 14, 1950.
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Initially it was established to help people displaced by World War II. But later it became the principal agency that has helped displaced persons all over world.
  • Mission: Safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. Seek lasting solutions to the plights of refugees.
  • Awards: It has won two Nobel Peace Prizes, first in 1954 and second in 1981.

About Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development

  • Since 1986, the prestigious award accorded annually by Indira Gandhi Trust.
  • Awarded to: Individuals or organizations in recognition of their creative efforts towards promoting international peace, development.
  • It is also bestowed upon them for creating new international economic order and ensuring that scientific discoveries are used for the larger good of humanity and enlarging the scope of freedom.
  • Award carries: The prize consists of monetary award of 25 lakh and a citation.
  • Some of the awardees: UNICEF (1989), Rajiv Gandhi (1991), M S Swaminathan (1999), Kofi Annan (2003), Angel Merkel (2013) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) (2014) .

Oct 10, 2015

UNSC adopts resolution to allow EU countries to use force to tackle Refugee Crisis

10/10/2015
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a resolution authorizing the European Union (EU) and individual countries to use force to tackle the worst refugee crisis.
The EU-proposed resolution was supported by majority vote of fourteen council members of total 15 including all 5 permanent members. Venezuela remained abstain from voting.

Key facts
  • The resolution allows European naval forces to board ships for inspecting, seizing and destroying vessels smuggling migrants and refugees on the high seas.
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