UNHCR advocates more measures to prevent childhood statelessness
NAN-H-62
Statelessness
By Victor Asije
Lagos, Oct. 20,2016 (NAN) The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Thursday called for more urgent measures to prevent childhood statelessness in all countries.
UNHCR, which made the appeal in its October edition of ‘I Belong Campaign Update’ report, also called on countries to promote adherence to UN Conventions on Statelessness by taking measures at regional, national and global levels.
‘’This Update covers a number of high level meetings and other developments that are continuing to raise awareness about statelessness
‘’The Update covers recently adopted Executive Committee Conclusions highlighting the urgent need to take further measures to prevent childhood statelessness,’’ it said.
The UNHCR said that its Executive Committee on Youths had noted the adoption of the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants on Sept.19 2016.
It said that the committee had restated its concern for youths as well as the importance of mainstreaming age and gender sensitive issues.
The UNHCR said that it was imperative for it, states and relevant stakeholders to proactively identify ways of engaging youths in protection and assistance programmes.
The UNHCR also called for youth protection and engagement through their inclusion, participation and representation in their communities’ management and decision making processes.
It said that the committee’s conclusion on refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons and returnees, as well as internally displaced persons were of concern to the organisation.
The UNHCR also referred to the committee’s observation that refugees, internally displaced persons and stateless youths had vulnerabilities that were negatively affecting them.
It also said that the committee’s call on the international community to provide UNHCR with the needed support and resources for building capacities of youths was of concern to UNHCR. (NAN)
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