IEPF commemorates 20th of June as Refugee Day in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has joined the world to mark the world Refugee day as adopted by the UN in the Resolution 55/76 on 4 December 2000. The International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) has through its department on Refugees/IDPs matters and Community Development expressed it unrelenting commitment to the refugee actions.

The IEPF belongs to the Caucasian Refugee and IDP NGO Network (CRINGO Network). CRINGO is a voluntary network of, independent, non-commercial, non-political organizations, which work on the territory of the Caucasus with refugees, IDPs and other persons with a common status. This year, the CRINGO network divided itself to different activity directions to commemorate the Refugee Day; the division was to have better impacts not just in the Caucasus but in national levels. IEPF has chosen to involve itself with the health related issues of refugees in the Fizuli region of Azerbaijan.

On nationwide bases, IEPF has this year 2008 made good effort to make inquiries concerning refugees in Azerbaijan with the appropriate governmental authority. The IEPF through these inquiries follows up matters that relates directly with the refugees of Azerbaijan including recent refugees entering the republic.

Furthermore, IEPF has followed up necessary events concerning the various refugee groups in Azerbaijan especially with the Chechen refugee and the Iraqi refugees. One particular case was a report concerning a Chechen refugee that was imprisoned. The IEPF made adequate effort to ensure that the refugee was not imprisoned against own right. Meetings were held with the IEPF staff and the Chechen head representatives in Baku for good clarification on the issue. IEPF also regularly made inquiries concerning the situation of Iraqi refugees in Azerbaijan; through this inquiries, IEPF observed that the Iraqi refugees in Azerbaijan are enjoying good protection of their right and most of the Iraqis are having easy access to move on to a third country.

Azerbaijan has a record number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Although, credit to the government, most IDPs are having a new chapter of life through government initiatives in providing shelters, opportunities, health care and hygiene for the IDPs. However, more still need to be done for the Azerbaijan IDPs. Additionally, IEPF continues to support the IDPs through its various projects and organization activities. The IEPF affiliate, the “Eurasia Credit” supports IDPs through micro financing in different areas of business interests that include farming of all sorts, carpet weaving, bee keeping and household implements.

20th of June has been chosen as World Refugee day after a UN General Assembly ratification that allowed the adoption of the already widespread Africa Refugee Day celebration on this day. In this resolution, the General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) had agreed to have International Refugee Day coincide with Africa Refugee Day on 20 June. The Assembly therefore decided that, from 2001, 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day.

Note:
For additional information on the detailed activities of IEPF with Refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan, check with the IEPF website.