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UN warns of increase in refugees Refugees' fate 'getting harder'
(about 1 hour later)
The number of displaced people is rising, the UN refugee agency has warned as events are held worldwide to mark World Refugee Day. Conditions for asylum-seekers are becoming tougher in many countries because of fears of terrorist attacks, the UN refugee agency has warned.
As numbers increase, the UNHCR says some countries are tightening refugee policy to the point where some of those in need of asylum are being kept out. Speaking on World Refugee Day, UNHCR head Antonio Guterres said some nations had curbed immigration to the point where refugees were being excluded.
He told the BBC that refugees were not terrorists, but the victims of terror.
After a five-year fall, the number of refugees is rising again because of violence in Iraq and Somalia.
The UN estimates that nearly 44m people have left their homes because of violence or persecution.The UN estimates that nearly 44m people have left their homes because of violence or persecution.
Some are forced abroad, many others are displaced within their own countries. It says that some are forced abroad, many others are displaced within their own countries.
But amid these depressing statistics, the UN says there are reasons for optimism. "The international community is not paying attention and is not giving enough support," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said.
Millions of refugees have returned home to countries such as Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo in recent years. 'Returning
'Tougher policies' However, the UN said there were reasons for optimism amid the grim statistics.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, went to southern Sudan to see the challenges facing refugees returning there after many years of conflict.
"Here in southern Sudan people are coming back home from the Democratic Republic of Congo, from the Central African Republic, from Uganda, from Kenya, from Ethiopia, from Egypt, even from Libya, and showing a lot of courage, a lot of commitment to build their new country," he said.
UNHCR: 2006 global trends [365k] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereUNHCR: 2006 global trends [365k] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
After five years of declining figures, the number of refugees across the world is now rising again - mainly because of violence in Iraq and Somalia. The UN is warning that the climate in which asylum seekers are being received is becoming tougher in many parts of the world. Millions of refugees have returned home to countries such as Sudan, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mr Guterres is in southern Sudan, where he seeing the challenges facing refugees returning there after many years of conflict.
He said people were returning home from all neighbouring countries and "showing a lot of courage, a lot of commitment to build their new country".
Mr Guterres said the response among western countries had been mixed.Mr Guterres said the response among western countries had been mixed.
"There are countries in which, especially after 9/11, there has been a growing concern with refugees and I think it's important to say and to repeat they are not terrorists, they are the first victims of terror," he said."There are countries in which, especially after 9/11, there has been a growing concern with refugees and I think it's important to say and to repeat they are not terrorists, they are the first victims of terror," he said.
"But in other countries, on the contrary, we are seeing an extremely generous approach in protection granted to refugees. "But in other countries, on the contrary, we are seeing an extremely generous approach in protection granted to refugees."
He singled out Sweden and the Netherlands for being "extremely positive" in relation to the plight of Iraqi refugees.He singled out Sweden and the Netherlands for being "extremely positive" in relation to the plight of Iraqi refugees.
Conflict is the biggest factor forcing people from their homes.Conflict is the biggest factor forcing people from their homes.
The war in Iraq alone has displaced an estimated 4m people - 2m inside and 2m outside the country.The war in Iraq alone has displaced an estimated 4m people - 2m inside and 2m outside the country.
But as the UN marks World Refugee Day, it is warning that in the future climate change could also become an increasingly important factor in migration patterns.