United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Special Envoy Angelina Jolie:
Every minute, 8 people around the world are forced to flee their homes
due to war and persecution. No one chooses to be a refugee. Today, 43
million people worldwide have been displaced. We remember them.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared today, "Refugees leave because they have no choice. We must choose to help." Nicholas A. Heras (Fair Observer) zooms in on one group of refugees in "Going Nowhere Fast: Iraqi Refugees:"
The daily existential struggle of millions of Iraqi refugees has
become lost in the coverage of the unexpected, tumultuous, and
geo-politically spell-binding Arab uprisings. Although the coalition's
mission in Iraq is declared officially over, and the Iraqi government is
encouraging their return, millions of Iraqi refugees remain unconvinced
that life in their homeland is improving.
Since the removal of Saddam Hussein's regime from power in 2003, an estimated 4 million Iraqis of all sectarian identities and social classes have fled the country for other nations in the region, especially Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. Sporadic violence, poverty, lack of infrastructure, and a pervasive state of instability prompted their exodus from Iraq. The displacement of Iraqi refugees is considered by many experts to be the largest movement of people in the Middle East region since 1948, when Palestinians left what is today Israel for the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and neighboring nations.
Since the removal of Saddam Hussein's regime from power in 2003, an estimated 4 million Iraqis of all sectarian identities and social classes have fled the country for other nations in the region, especially Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. Sporadic violence, poverty, lack of infrastructure, and a pervasive state of instability prompted their exodus from Iraq. The displacement of Iraqi refugees is considered by many experts to be the largest movement of people in the Middle East region since 1948, when Palestinians left what is today Israel for the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and neighboring nations.
The European Union's High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom released this joint-statement today:
"Today, on the World Refugee Day,
our thoughts are, more than ever, with the millions of women, children
and men, around the world who are forced to flee their home countries
because of war, conflict, or persecution. This is still a reality in
today's world.
Protecting the persecuted, the weak
and the vulnerable is our obligation. All EU Member States have
acceded to the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees and are committed to
its implementation. In a world where people continue to fear for their
lives just because of their race, religion, or political beliefs, Europe
has to remain true to its principles by showing solidarity towards
refugees. We are proud that so many Europeans share the conviction that
the EU must offer protection and asylum to all those who need it.
The EU is stepping up efforts to
put in place common rules on asylum which guarantee high standards of
protection and is aiming to complete the strengthening of the Common
European Asylum System by the end of this year. This objective is within
reach, with the final stages of the negotiations now underway. Work is
also progressing on enhancing solidarity between EU Member States.
The UNHCR's 2011 Ministerial
Conference underlined the importance of eliminating the phenomenon of
statelessness. We welcome the pledges made during this Conference, and
underline the EU's determination to step up its efforts to address
statelessness worldwide.
In 2011, just over 300,000 asylum
applications were lodged in Europe, more than the year before but well
below the peak of 425,000 in 2001. This represents about 34 % of the
total worldwide. However, contrary to widespread belief, it is not
Europe but other countries – often the poorest – that host the world's
largest refugee populations. Last year, South Africa alone received
close to 107 000 applications – one tenth of all asylum applications
worldwide. In terms of the individuals recognised as refugees,
approximately four fifths are hosted in developing countries.
Therefore, refugee resettlement
should form an integral part of the EU common asylum policy.
Resettlement is not only a life-saving measure but an important
humanitarian gesture of solidarity on the part of the EU towards
countries hosting large numbers of refugees.
We welcome the European
Parliament's and the Council's decision to establish a common EU
resettlement programme for 2013. The programme will include specific EU
resettlement priorities, identifying the nationalities of refugees and
the countries from which resettlement should take place as a priority
and for whom EU funding is available. In 2013 that list will include
refugees from Congo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Burma and Eritrea.
We are gravely concerned about the plight of
refugees fleeing the violence in Syria. The EU, in close co-operation
with its partners, is providing significant humanitarian and other
assistance to these refugees, and will throw its weight behind all
efforts to ensure the protection of the victims of this conflict."
The US State Dept elects to Tweet (it's less characters so less time required):
StateDept
June 20 is World #Refugee Day. Join @StatePRM Assistant Secretary Anne Richard for a #Twitter Q&A. Send her your questions using #AskPRM.
In the Iraqi press, World Refugee Day isn't causing a ripple. But, in fairness, they usually note events like this the day after (reporting on what an Iraqi official said on the occasion, that sort of thing). What's the big story in the Iraqi press today?
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's letter to US President Barack Obama asking/requesting/demanding (depends upon the account) that Barack kill ExxonMobil's deal with the KRG. Kitabat uses "warned" of the October 18th contracts between the parties and quotes a spokesperson for Nouri, Ali al-Moussawi, stating that these contracts could start wars and could rip the country apart.
Really?
If that's the case, maybe Nouri should show some leadership and back the hell off his non-stop complaining about the contract? Don't hold your breath for that to happen. Dar Addustour reports Nouri is prepared to go to the extreme -- they're citing al-Moussawi on that and what the "extreme scores" would be is not specified.
But what the statements make clear is that it's not the ExxonMobil contract that's causing problems. It's Nouri's reactions to the contracts.
Al Rafidayn reports that, thus far, there's no response from Barack but National Security Council spokesperson Tommy Vietor acknowledged that the letter from Nouri was received. Reuters reports today, "Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan expects more oil majors to follow Exxon Mobil Corporation in the next few months in striking deals in the region, where oil shipments will resume, its natural resources minister said, despite a dispute with Baghdad." April Yee (The National) observes, "A hydrocarbon law remains a mirage in Baghdad and the reality is dawning that Iraq's plans to become one of the world's top-five oil producers are jeopardised by the legal deadlock."
Alsumaria reports on their exclusive interview with Moqtada al-Sadr. Moqtada states the US still occupies Iraq and that the so-called withdrawal was purely symbolic. He states that Iraqis seek an Iraq free of US interference and one free of the US Embassy. He declares that the US Embassy is merely a cover to keep foreign foces (contractors, Marines and some soldiers) in Iraq under the guise of protecting the Embassy staff.
Alsumaria reports a Falluja roadside bombing which claimed 1 life and left three people -- including a 3-year-old child -- injured. Al Rafidayn reports a Kirkuk car bombing which claimed 3 lives and left nine injured. BBC News reports Judge Aziz Abdul Qadir was the target of the bombing and that he and two of his bodyguards are among the injured. In addition, the Herald of Scotland notes that a clash yesterday between the PKK and Turkish military left sixteen soldiers injured. The Oman Tribune reports that 20 PKK were killed in the altercation.
Lastly, Senator Patty Murray is the Chair of the Senate
Veterans Affairs Committee. She continues fighting for veterans and
her latest bill would put veterans on an equal footing with the
non-military when it comes to reproductive issues.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Contact: Murray Press Office
(202) 224-2834
Chairman
Murray Introduces Bill to Provide Veterans with Genital and
Reproductive Wounds with Access to In Vitro Fertilization through the VA
As
veterans continue to return home with catastrophic IED injuries, Murray
bill reverses VA ban on critical fertility treatment; will help
veterans and their spouses have children.
If
forced to turn to the private sector, veterans and their spouses often
have to pay tens of thousands in out-of-pocket costs to access IVF
services
(Washington,
D.C.) -- Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate
Veterans' Affairs Committee, introduced legislation that will end the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ban on providing In Vitro
Fertilization (IVF) services. Murray's bill, the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2012, also will begin child care programs at Vet Centers for women seeking counseling, and improving outreach to women veterans.
Army
data shows that between 2003 and 2011 over 600 servicemembers have
suffered reproductive and urinary tract trauma. The reliance on foot
patrols in Afghanistan and the prevalence of improvised explosive
devices has left servicemembers far more susceptible to these injuries.
"Reproductive
injuries are some of the most impactful and serious wonds of these
wars," Senator Murray said today upon introduction of the bill. "VA
has an obligation to care for the combat wounded. For those with such
catastrophic injuries, that includes access to the fertility care they
needed. Veterans and their spouses are specifically barred from
accessing In Vitro Fertilization services at the VA and often times
have to spend tens of thousands of dollars in the private sector to get
the advanced reproductive treatments they need to start a family.
These veterans deserve far more."
Veterans
who have severe reproductive and urinary tract injuries and spinal cord
injuries (SCI) often need highly specialized treatments and procedures
like IVF to conceive. However, under current law, IVF is expressly
excluded from fertility services that are provided by the VA to
veterans or their spouses. This is a significant barrier for veterans
with SCI and genital and uringary tract injuries and as a result they
have to seek care outside of the VA. The Department of Defense currently provides
access to IVF services under the Tricare program and coverage for IVF
and other fertility treatments at no charge to severely combat wounded
servicemembers. Senator Murray's bill would provide veterans with the
same access.
###
Matt McAlvanah
Communications Director
U.S. Senator Patty Murray
202-224-2834 - press office
202--224-0228 - direct
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
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