SOWK 673
Dr. Jacqueline Ismael
University of Calgary
Diana Chan
Introduction
Purpose
The purpose of this integrated literature review is to impartially explore what discussions and views pertaining to the international practice method of refugee voluntary repatriation are currently available. Voluntary
repatriation, which is the process of refugees returning to their country of origin, is significant to discussions on international social
development because the practice directly relates to social welfare
on a global scale as well as refugee and human rights.
Refugees, UNHCR & Durable Solutions
A 'refugee' is defined by the 1951 Refugee Convention as someone who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country” (UNHCR, 2012). According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN agency that is officially mandated to protect and support refugees, their “ultimate goal is to help find durable solutions that will allow [refugees] to rebuild their lives in dignity and peace” (UNCHR, 2012). The three durable solutions with which UNHCR can help are local integration, resettlement in a third country, or voluntary repatriation (UNHCR, 2012).
UNHCR (2012) states that voluntary repatriation “in safety and dignity” is considered the “durable solution of choice for the largest number of refugees.” With this durable solution, UNHCR's priorities are “to promote enabling conditions for voluntary repatriation; to ensure the exercise of a free and informed choice; and to mobilize support for returnees” (UNHCR, 2012). And in actual practice, UNHCR seeks to promote and facilitate this durable solution “through various means, including organizing "go-and-see" visits for refugees; compiling updated information on their country and region of origin; engaging in peace and reconciliation activities; promoting housing and property restitution; and providing return assistance and legal aid to returnees” (UNHCR, 2012).
UNHCR (2012) states that voluntary repatriation “in safety and dignity” is considered the “durable solution of choice for the largest number of refugees.” With this durable solution, UNHCR's priorities are “to promote enabling conditions for voluntary repatriation; to ensure the exercise of a free and informed choice; and to mobilize support for returnees” (UNHCR, 2012). And in actual practice, UNHCR seeks to promote and facilitate this durable solution “through various means, including organizing "go-and-see" visits for refugees; compiling updated information on their country and region of origin; engaging in peace and reconciliation activities; promoting housing and property restitution; and providing return assistance and legal aid to returnees” (UNHCR, 2012).
Voluntary Repatriation
Since the late 1980s, UNHCR, governments, many academics, international organizations, and host countries have all come to view voluntary repatriation as the most preferable, or even ideal, of the three durable solutions to “'the problem of refugees'” (Takahashi, 1997, p.593; Bakewell, 2002, p.43; Zimmerman, 2012, p.45; Zieck, 2004, p.34). The support for this durable solution is rooted in the idea that all refugees want to return 'home.' As Bakewell (2002) explains, there is the “implicit idea that refugees have left a home which is at a fixed geographical location and to which they will continue to be drawn while they are refugees” (p.44). This includes the problematic general assumption that all refugees would want to return to a place that they were once forced to flee from (Bakewell, 2002, p. 45; Zimmerman, 2012, p.45).
CC Diana Chan
December 6, 2012
UN photos are used as allowed by Fair Use and are properly credited in accordance with UN Photo Usage Guidelines.
December 6, 2012
UN photos are used as allowed by Fair Use and are properly credited in accordance with UN Photo Usage Guidelines.