Chaldean Federation of America Participates in United Nations’ Historic Conference on Iraqi Refugees April 17 and 18, 2007

The Chaldean Federation of America (CFA) delegation headed by Executive Director, Joseph Kassab and consultant Dr. Phyllis Noda, joined the distinguished assembly of 91 member nations and 32 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the historic, international conference on Iraqi Refugees. Convened by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres for April 17 and 18, the Geneva-based conference also offered pre and post conference meetings at the Palais de Nations. High Commissioner Guterres emphasized that the conference was premised in the needs to inform and sensitize the international community to the multiple humanitarian issues of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons, and to specifically:

• Reinforce the need for enhanced respect for human rights and humanitarian laws within Iraq;

• Strengthen efforts to limit population displacements by reducing and, ultimately, eliminating those conditions contributing to flight;

• Guarantee freedom of movement to seek safety;

• Ensure protection and material assistance for refugees and create opportunities/conditions of safety and dignity that would support the voluntary return of refugees to the homeland.

At the conclusion of the two-days of intensive deliberations and presentations, the High Commissioner commented on the conference’s key findings and outcomes, applauding the international community’s awareness of, and concern for, the urgency of the Iraqi refugee crisis. He underscored the need for the government of Iraq to assume a leadership role in restoring the rule of law within the country to stave the flight of its citizens and to attract refugees and asylees to return. The Chaldean Federation of America therefore, will continue to work with the Refugee Council USA and the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) toward ensuring the rights to asylum and refuge as expressed in the April 18, 2007 position statement of the ICMC in Geneva

• “The right of non-refoulment: Given the current situation in Iraq, we believe that circumstances are such that the principle of non-refoulment very directly rules out any form of involuntary return, not only to the south and central regions (of Iraq), but to any part of Iraq at present.

• The right to seek asylum. We must be emphatic about the obligation of States and the international community to ensure that those displaced from Iraq, whether Palestinian, Chaldean, or other Iraqi, have genuine access to asylum and resettlement processes.”