Committee

Country
Topic

: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,

: South Africa
: Rights of the Refugees of the Syrian

Background of Topic
The Syrian Civil War is an armed conflict which began on March 2011. It began with protests
against President Bashar al-Assad's regime, demanding democratic and economic reform within the
framework of the existing government. However, it turned out to be a war between the two parties: the
government of the Bashar al-Assad's regime and the Free Syrian Army. Both of them were involved in
this conflict and has already claimed over a hundred thousand lives. Victims are typically unarmed
civilians, including women and children, and more than 2.5 million Syrians have fled their homes. It has
led to a humanitarian crisis with millions internally displaced or seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
The great number of refugees has brought problems toward countries which agreed to accommodate
them.
The situation in Syria has become more and more complicated. Moreover, the Ghouta chemical
attack occurred on 21 August 2013 during the civil war has raised international conscious of the
prohibition of chemical weapons.The government and pro-government militias have attacked heavily
populated areas, killing civilians with indiscriminate weapons such as cluster munitions and barrel bombs.
Government forces have also arbitrarily arrested, forcibly disappeared, and tortured people, many of
whom died in detention. Non-state armed groups opposing the government have also carried out serious
abuses including deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians, use of child soldiers, kidnapping, and
torture in detention.
Past International Action
Over recent years there have been certain conventions that were established that is The Geneva II
Conference on Syria, every nation give their opinion and contribution to find a solution plan inside the
UN framework, seeking peace and security for the Syrian people. On 24 May 2013, Foreign Affairs
noted that refugee populations faced dire conditions in the refugee camps.
The severity of the humanitarian disaster in Syria has been outlined by the UN and many
international organizations. More than 7.6 million Syrians have been displaced, more than 5 million have
fled the country to nearby countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and Kuwait, and a few
hundred thousand have fled to more distant countries like Germany and Greece and have become
refugees. Millions more have been left in poor living conditions with shortages of food and drinking
water.
Country Policy and Possible Solutions
Since 2008, South Africa has received growing numbers of asylum applications, with the majority of
applicants originating from Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC). There are approximately 65,000 recognized refugees in South Africa. Many of them have been
there for years. In addition, at the end of 2013, there were 230,000 asylum-seekers awaiting decisions,
according to Department of Home Affairs figures.In January 2014, the Government of South Africa
publicly stated that it is considering a visa for Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)
economic migrants, which may reduce new asylum applications Response.

South Africa's national legislation incorporates the basic principles of refugee protection, including
freedom of movement, the right to work, and access to basic social services. However, some public
institutions do not recognize refugees permits, preventing them from benefitting fully from these rights.
The current socio-economic environment - high unemployment, poor service delivery, and economic
inequality - has strained relations between refugees, asylum-seekers and host populations.
On south Africa position we think that United Nations can do a favor for the Syrian. And we hope
the war over quickly and everything get into a stable state soon. We sincerely hope these chaos and
conflict can be processed gently. Ease the refugee problem and give resident a safe living environment.
And we believe that the existing bureaucracy of Syria is complete enough to restore theorderliesstatus,
and it must increase a great favor of power in achieving the peace. Even for recent year south Africa not
yet give any contribute for refugees of Syrian and not yet received or agreed to accommodate them. But
We support mediations and negotiation efforts such as The Geneva II Conference on Syria. It is a United
Nations-backed international peace conference on the future of Syria and we will act more actively on
this issue. In future We hope the international society can find a solution plan inside the UN framework,
seeking peace and security for the Syrian people.
Possible solution that south Africa can give solution for refugees of Syrian:

South Africa approach continues to focus on enhancing strategic partnerships and strengthening
coordination in its main areas of intervention. And we must fast-track Syrian refugee and
immigration applications. And we will advocate that refugees of Syrian will be the one of
refugees that south Africa received.
South Africa will continue to support international efforts to protect and assist refugees
especially refugees of Syrian through providing access to health facilities, schools and social
services.
Special efforts will be made to pursue preventive actions and advocacy, including awareness
campaigns, conflict resolution programmes and other community interventions aimed at
promoting social cohesion.
And we have to support international efforts for a non-military solution to the Syrian civil war.
UNHCR of south Africa worked and make cooperation with 13 implementing partners to deliver
legal and social assistance to refugees in Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal
and Limpopo provinces. In Swaziland, UNHCR worked with one partner to complement the
support provided by the Government.

South
Africa
would
like
to
give
more
contribute
toovercomingthe
problemofconflictSyriaespeciallyissuesrelating to refugees of Syrian that the number of refugees
continually increaseand there are some refugees still have notget help. And we will act more
actively on this issue.Andfinally weinviteall countriestoseethe condition of refugeesSyriathat has
spread in several country and Millions of them have been left in poor living conditions with shortages of
food and drinking water. And we invite all countries to give their help and contribution to solve the
problem of Syrian refugees. And give them thattheirrightsorpriorityattentionespeciallyfor refugeesSyriais
still notlisted as legitimaterefugees in some country. And we invite Every nation to give their
contribution to find a solution plan inside the UN framework, seeking peace and
security for the Syrian and agreed to accommodate them.