Ladies and Gentlemen,

I deeply appreciate this initiative of the Legal Education and Training Institute (LETI) for arranging this seminar to discuss the challenges relating to refugee protection. This is an issue of great importance to all of us. I am sure this brainstorming will stimulate a process of further exchange of constructive ideas and experiences.

Refugees are often victims of gross human rights violation. The UNHCR recently announced that the number of refugees in the world has increased for the first time since 2002, largely as a result of the crisis in Iraq. The number of refugees under the agency's mandate rose last year by 14 percent to almost 10 million. This concerns all of us.

Protection of refugees, simply defined, is a collective responsibility. It entails safeguarding the most basic of rights of the people – not least the right to life, dignity and the preservation of family. Protection is also about ensuring an enabling environment so that refugees can enjoy these and other rights. Also about bringing a durable solution to refugee problems. It is, however, important not too over-compartmentalize the refugee protection issue. Refugees are human beings. They are entitled to all fundamental all human rights. Bangladesh takes a holistic - human rights and humanitarian based – approach to the issue of refugee protection.

It is important to remember that many of the world's refugees currently find themselves trapped in deteriorating circumstances. These are often more difficult and more dangerous than those which they experienced five or 10 years ago. Security has become more tenuous. Levels of assistance have declined. Providing security and long-term solutions for such refugees is a humanitarian imperative. At the same time, it is not easy to resolve the refugee problem without full cooperation of all concerned.

Closely linked to refugee protection is the issue of asylum-seeking and irregular migration. During the past decade, these issues have risen to the fore of the political agenda throughout the developed countries. Such concern is rooted in the widespread perception that the world's richest countries are threatened by an uncontrollable influx of migrants from poorer and less stable states. Many of such refugees arrive in illegally, and submit questionable applications for refugee status. These fears have been compounded by the fact that asylum seekers arriving in the industrialized states are frequently transported by human smugglers. Also because they are often young men and women who originate from parts of Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, often stereotyped as potential terrorists. They more often thus not face severe hardship and discrimination in the destination countries.

In this backdrop the concept of "protection in regions of origin." has become a dominant theme. The notion is based on the principle that people who have fled from states - affected by persecution, armed conflict, violence, and instability - should be able to find a safe refuge and enjoy acceptable living conditions in their country of origin. This, in turn, would enable a less frantic and more rational approach to developing coherent and pragmatic refugee policies.

The concept of "protections in regions of origin" undoubtedly poses a tremendous challenge to policy makers. This is true of both origin and destination countries. Most the regions that accommodate large numbers of refugees currently suffer from high levels of insecurity and low levels of development. Even if resources can be transferred to domestic asylum systems from the overseas development budgets of the industrialized states, although an unlikely scenario, it would be difficult to expect the speedy transformation of such troubled locations into safe havens.

There are also doubts – quite reasonably - about the suggestion that improved conditions in regions of origin will necessarily lead to a substantial reduction in the movement of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants from the poor countries of the "South" to the rich nations of the "North". The disparity in the living standards between these two parts of the world is likely to continue, and may well increase in the future, and thereby prompt further international migration. Moreover, as a result of the globalization process and the expansion of transnational communities, growing numbers of people in low-income countries have access to the information, resources, and social networks required for them to migrate – if not legally then in an irregular manner - from one part of the world to another.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Although Bangladesh is not a party to the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 1951 and to its Optional Protocols, we have remained committed to the principle of international protection of refugees. This reflects our broader commitment to the protection of all human rights and the respect for international humanitarian laws. We have, as you know, provided shelter and protections to the Myanmar Refugees for nearly three decades. Bangladesh, in the spirit of upholding human rights and international humanitarian laws, never pursued forced repatriation of the refugees. More than 95% of these refugees have already returned to their homeland voluntarily. We are, however, concerned that no repatriation took place since July 2005. We sincerely hope that with the cooperation of UNCHR the repatriation of the remaining refugees would be completed at the earliest.

Bangladesh believes that the permanent solution to any refugee situation lies in the repatriation of the refugees to their homeland. During my recent visit to Myanmar, I discussed with the repatriation issue with the Myanmar authorities and they assured me of full cooperation an early resolution of the issue through bilateral negotiation. I reiterate the commitment of the Government to the voluntary and safe repatriation of the Myanmar Refugees to their homeland as early as possible. In this regard we need serious efforts by all concerned, including the Government of Bangladesh, the Government of Myanmar, UNCHR and the donor community, to ensure early and safe return of all the Myanmar Refugees to their homeland.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

While discussing the issue of refugee protection, we should not only discuss the political causes, but also the economic reasons that can propel exodus from a low-income country. The international community must take the economic factors into account in dealing with refugee issues, especially the issue of job-less growth in many African countries. If an economy fails to create sufficient wealth for its population, it is only natural that political tensions will rise, leading to conflicts along ethnic, religious and cultural divides. Lack of economic opportunities is, thus, often a precursor of a refugee crisis.

In this regard, the international community needs to approach the refugee issue in the context of broader development agenda. After all, prevention is better than cure. We must address the root causes of conflict - which often stem from economic reasons – both within a country and regionally. We will also have to find ways and means for a more egalitarian growth. There should be renewed efforts, and more resources committed, to reduce poverty and prevent a rise in the income inequality among states. In this regard, the challenge before us is to ensure a pro-poor globalization. We must ensure that liberalization of trade does not translate to loss of jobs and pauperization. An individual gainfully employed in his or her country, along with all other members of his or her larger community, is less likely to become a refugee.

Bangladesh is the current chair of the Asia Pacific Consultations (APC) on Refugees, Displaced Person and Migrants. Since 1996, APC has been a very effective regional forum to discuss the issues of migration and refugees. It recognizes the inter-connected natures of displacement, refugee issues and migration. APC will hold its plenary session in Dhaka later this year, which will provide all of us the opportunity to further deliberate and find optimal solutions to these challenges.

In conclusion my sincere thanks to the Legal Education and Training Institute for organizing this very important seminar which has achieved its goal in stimulating our minds.

Thank you.