On the one hand, the UN praises Egypt for its good and welcoming work with Libyan refugees while it closes the UNHCR office for frightened Sudanese migrants desperate to get out of Egypt. What a mess!
From Almasryalyoum:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has closed its head office in Egypt until further notice due to ongoing protests by Sudanese refugees demanding to be resettled outside Egypt.
The protests started about three weeks ago and escalated until aggressive confrontations between refugees and UNHCR personnel forced the organization to temporarily close the office on Tuesday — a decision not to be taken lightly considering the large number of refugees yet to be registered.
Sudanese refugees assert that Egypt’s revolution has amplified the insecurity and fear of a situation already made tense by refugees’ inability to obtain proper legal working status here, as well as severe racial discrimination.
The UNHCR is responsible for registering refugees in Egypt, and the Egyptian government has agreed to recognize those who have been registered. However, in practice such recognition has remained limited.
Weren’t we all assured the the democracy movement in Egypt was an enlightened movement?
The article goes on to report praise for Egypt by UN High Commissioner for Refugees and socialist Antonio Guterres. Go figure!
In related news, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees visited Egypt this week and praised Egypt’s handling of the Libyan crisis during a meeting with Prime Minister Essam Sharaf on Thursday.
Antonio Guterres said he was grateful that Egypt opened its doors to refugees fleeing the violence in neighbouring Libya.
“This is a new beginning in our relations and for refugee protection in Egypt. I hope the UNHCR will be able to enhance its assistance program, in cooperation with the Egyptian government, and increase the number of resettlement places for refugees staying in Egypt.”
Looks like those Leftists at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights will have a lot of work to do in the new and democratic Egypt when they go to help them “organize” in September!