Support Sudanese Refugees in Egypt

URGENT APPEAL TO SUPPORT SUDANESE REFUGEES IN EGYPT

Sudanese refugees and political asylum seekers in Egypt are experiencing the most appalling conditions that needs the immediate attention of UNHCR in Geneva, UNCHRs Middle East and North Africa bureau, International human rights organizations, Arab and African human rights groups, Sudanese organizations, especially in the Diaspora, government of Egypt, other governments involved in the resettlement program (Canada, USA, Australia and Denmark), and the rest of the international community.

An UNHCR report (UNHCR, 2003b) indicated as of 1 June 2004, UNHCR Cairo has stopped registering all Sudanese asylum Seekers for Refugee Status Determination (RSD) interviews, and is only issuing them with yellow cards indicating and providing only temporary protection. The yellow cards are valid until the end of 2004. UNHCR has stated that by the end of 2004, the situation in Sudan will be reviewed and a decision will be taken regarding the status of the Sudanese refugees in Egypt. UNHCR has stated that if the situation remains the same the temporary protection for the Sudanese asylum seekers will be extended. If the situation improves UNHCR will promote voluntary repatriation. Reports from Cairo suggest a repatriation program is undertaken by UNHCR, where files of refugee claims are closed without having either a plan nor the funds to implement it, not only that, but without having any proof that the situation in Sudan has improved, in the first place. On the other hand the UNHCR officials in Cairo, claim that countries participating in the resettle programs, are reducing the numbers of beneficiaries of these programs. Unfortunately, this position of the regional offices staff (Egyptian and international) laid the ground for the curliest mistreatment and abuse of the Sudanese refugee claimants that hardly exist anywhere else.
Having been denied the help and support they needed, the Sudanese refugees in Egypt are suffering from unbearable situation. Hundred are wondering the streets without shelter, work or any means of preserving their human dignity. Sudanese were forced to work minimal jobs under harsh conditions without any kind of security or safety and for long hours below minimum wage. Women and children specially are suffering failing health and horrible diseases, such as Tuberculoses and Anemia.
Instead of human sympathy, Sudanese became the target of racism and bigotry and smear campaigns waged by some of the Egyptian media. Several police raids victimized the refugees on their places of work, residence or wonder.
The Sudanese refugees are facing many problems, due to homelessness and poor health. Lack of medical attention or access to any health care is feared to lead to death among the refugees specially children and the old.

The Sudanese refugees are camping in front of the UNHCR Cairo, for eight consecutive days, 24 hours a day, protesting ill treatment, unfairness and loss of their dignity and fundamental human rights. UNHCR Cairo continues to ignore them, while it fortified its office with an army of police.
We are very concerned with the hardships; the Sudanese refugees are suffering in Egypt. While we appreciate the humanitarian help and hospitality the Egyptian government and people have extended to our people, we still would like see the government do more, and to seriously oversee and monitor the work of its offices working with the Sudanese refugees, specially the ministry of interior affairs and the police force.
We , the undersigned
* loudly protest the and denounce the behavior of the staff of the
UNHCRs Cairo office, who fortified the office and guarded it with an army
of police to intimidate the Sudanese refugees and deny them access to the
office.
* We fully support the Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers, and their
movement of protest and stand firmly behind their demands
* We press the UNHCR in Geneva, Switzerland, and assistant regional
representative at UNHCRs Cairo office, to review their policy, specially the
policy change that took effect on 1 June 2004, when the UNHCR Cairo has
stopped registering all Sudanese asylum seekers for Refugee Status
Determination (RSD) interviews, and started issuing them only temporary
protection (yellow cards).
* We demand of the UNHCR headquarter to launch an immediate
investigation of the practices of it office in Cairo. We remind Geneva that
lack of professionalism was a concern in its COUNTRY OPERATIONS PLAN
(Country: Arab Republic of Egypt. Planning Year: 2005). Some of the
targets of this plan were :
1- Achieving fair and efficient refugee status determination procedure.
2- Ensuring minimum standards of treatment of asylum-seekers that
ensures respect for their dignity and fundamental human rights.
The investigation we demand should immediately be validated by the
UNHCR own previous experience with its office in Cairo.