UNHCR to ensure integrity of resettlement procedures

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Ruud Lubbers, on Friday assured the international community that his organisation would do “everything possible” to ensure the integrity of its resettlement procedures. Lubbers was giving the assurances following press reports about an ongoing UN investigation into allegations of corruption and bribery in the refugee status-determination and resettlement processes of the agency’s office in Nairobi. “We take these allegations very seriously - so seriously that UNHCR asked the UN’s top investigative body in New York last year to carry out an investigation that is continuing today,” Lubbers said. “And the current investigation follows an earlier probe, also sought by UNHCR, that was inconclusive. It’s clear that we want to get to the bottom of this.”

UNHCR said resettlement to third countries was one of three main solutions for refugees, in addition to repatriation to home countries or reintegration in the country of first asylum. “I assure resettlement countries that UNHCR will make every effort to vigorously uphold the integrity of this key solution for refugees which might otherwise have no hope,” he said. “Resettlement has provided a new start for millions of people over the decades and we must do everything we can to see that it will be available in the future as well.”
He said that specific measures already taken in the Nairobi office, included barring the submission to embassies of any resettlement cases by individual staff members; establishing a more stringent system of checking resettlement cases and tighter supervision of individuals involved; closer coordination with resettlement officers from various embassies and high commissions in Nairobi; and media announcements informing people that the services of UNHCR are free of charge.