[UNHCR] Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Amongst Refugees Draws Discussions

Written by Daily Sabah

“No human, regardless of citizenship, should be stripped of their rights in any regions of the world” 

- Denmark

    With the rising number of refugees getting exploited, sexually abused and harassed by their own people, the refugee shelter is no longer a safe space for them. With the lack of accessibility to aid, refugees are a vulnerable group of people and their voices are, more often than not, neglected. Sexual abuse, exploitations and harassment between refugees have been a longstanding problem, posing a pressing need for solutions that are both effective and feasible. The impact of sexual abuse, both psychologically and physically, cannot be disregarded. It can pose huge harm to the mental health of the refugees and lead to higher risk of sexually-transmitted diseases.

    The UNHCR recognises the prevalence of sexual violence among refugees, and calls for collaborations between countries to come up with solutions.

    In the search for answers, one must first understand the foundational issue of the problem.

    The Republic of Croatia, a point of transit for many immigrants and refugees migrating to Western Europe, points out that ‘ the root of the problem is corruption between countries, governments, and the conditions of refugee camps’. Despite its humanitarian aims, assistance can still be abused due to the lack of transparency. Agencies, supposedly with the purpose to provide aid, are also prone to sexual extortion and bribery.

    First world countries prompt for ways to effectively punish perpetrators, including state officials, ways to investigate abuse occurring and ways to provide safe and sustainable housing. They called for the establishment international body dedicated to the quality of life for the refugees, by focusing on issues such as rehoming of refugees in safe and clean environment and provisions for physical and mental health support, establishing on the ground units in countries facing significant refugee influx, focusing on monitoring and reporting acts of violence against refugees.

    However, it is of great priority to also take into account the interest of countries hosting a large number of refugees. Many of such countries in the Middle East do not have the capacity, economically and politically, to effectively implement such aspiring goals.

    It is important for aids and solutions to meet such needs in order to address the problem in the long-term.

    To end, Ethiopia shared hopes “that the rest of the council sessions will bear fruit in finding true sight and solutions, and that the resolution passed will be able to satisfy all parties involved.” and that they would like to “call on our more economically sustainable global partners to use their influence and resources to not only concern themselves in their own internal matters, but also more altruistic ones like the one we have gathered ourselves today for. They too must realise their own part in the larger landscape such that they can optimise their assistance for vulnerable refugees, who require a great deal of assistance in integrating into the global community, considering the lack of resources provided for them in relation to their citizens.”