Speech on the fifth Session of the Steering Group of CIS Conference
in Geneva (July 13-14, 2000)

By Mr. Ali Hasanov, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Republic, Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

Honorable Mr. Chairman! Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen!

Let me first of all express the feeling of deep satisfaction and sincere gratefulness to the Management of UNHCR for the invitation to take part in the work of such high-level forum for the second time. I would like to compliment the participants of the session on behalf of the Azerbaijani Government and I million of refugees and internally displaced people (lops) of our country, and to wish the session successful work and achievement of the determined goal.

A year passed since the last session. I think that huge work has been done to address the issues that were raised at that meeting, and our relations with UNHCR, Its structural subdivisions, and with all international humanitarian and finance organizations have been expanded.

When giving a speech last year, I had informed you that currently our Gauntly has about I million of refugees and internally displaced people as a result of ethnical cleansing of Azerbaijanis from Armenian territory and occupation of 20% of Azerbaijan's territory through military aggression by neigh boring Armenia.

The situation of almost I million of refugees and internally displaced people, who were expelled from places of permanent residence, has continued to raise serious concern for the last twelve years. This problem remains as a problem number one for the Government of Azerbaijan and for Azerbaijani people. And we will speak about this conflict and about its consequences until it finds its political solution.

Furthermore, according to the data of UNHCR, there are now several thousands of economic and transit migrants in Azerbaijan from non-CIS countries, who are seeking work and asylum.

I would like to inform you briefly about the work done by the Government of Azerbaijan towards the implementation of the Program of Actions of the CIS Conference.

Government of Azerbaijan, UNDP, UNHCR and the World Bank have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Plan of Action, which defines the main aspects of joint work between the international humanitarian organizations and the government to solve the social problems of refugees and internally displaced persons.

The Republican Commission on International Humanitarian Aid and other relevant government bodies coordinate the aid provided by international humanitarian organizations to refugees and internally displaced people, and deal with all the problems arising during this process.

Foreign oil companies that operate in Azerbaijan have also been involved in solving the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons. I would like to gratefully highlight the contribution made by EXXON of USA and AGIP of Italy in creation of job opportunities and addressing other social problems of internally displaced persons.

Under conditions of economic crisis and insufficient budget, within the last two years the government has twofold increased the republican budget to finance the programs that address the problems of internally displaced persons.

The State Commission on Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of liberated territories and the Department for Repatriation within the State Committee for Refugees and lops are also expanding their operations. Rehabilitation works are being carried out in the liberated territories. Approximately another 2,000 people returned to Horadiz settlement of Fuzuli region.

The Department for International Relations, Information and Press Service has been created under the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs. A database is now operating together with a mechanism for daily collection of information about problems of refugees and internally displaced persons from the places where they are settled, for the purpose of coordination and taking of quick measures.

The Social Fund for the Development of internally displaced persons has been created by the Presidential Decree and a $I 0 million loan for this purpose has been agreed with the World Bank.

Significant steps in the legislation have been made in cooperation with UNHCR. The Parliament has adopted the Law "on the Status of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons' in conformity with the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol. The Law 'on Social Protection of Internally Displaced Persons and persons equaled to them' has been adopted. Both of these laws are approved by the Presidential Decrees. The Procedures for the refugee status determination have been prepared and submitted to the President for approval.

According to the adopted Law 'on Citizenship', the refugees 250,000 Azeris from Armenia and 50,000 Meskheti Turks - are enjoying the same rights as all other citizens of the Azerbaijan Republic, however, at the same time they retain the right to return back to countries of origin. The Law 'on Social Protection of Internally Displaced People and persons equaled to them' gives them the right to enjoy all the privileges that apply to internally displaced persons.

The Law "on Non-Governmental Organizations' has been adopted in the preparation of which along with UNHCR experts the experts from OSCE took part. We believe that this Law will play significant role in development and strengthening of the network of non-governmental organizations in the country. The Government of Azerbaijan is very interested in this and will do her utmost in this direction.

A series of strong actions have been taken in the country jointly with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the Capacity Building Program for Migration Management, in order to create a framework for and to improve the management of migration. The Parliament has adopted the Law "on Labor Migration'. The Concept of State Migration Policy has been submitted for approval.

The Government of Azerbaijan and IOM have signed an agreement, which assigned a high-level status to this organization in the country. Currently, all necessary procedural issues are being settled in order to avail our country to join this organization as a full-right member.

The Government has approved proposals of international experts reflected in the Project on "Immigration Control and Passenger Check-Up in Bina Airport". An appropriate Commission for the implementation of these proposals has been established by the Presidential Decree.

Necessary work is being done to improve and strengthen the national legislation on migration.

Today, I can state with full responsibility that now there are all conditions created for effective operations of all international humanitarian organizations in Azerbaijan, the representations of which have set up close contacts and partnership with the Government. Using such opportunity, I would like again to express our sincere gratitude to all donors, UN and international finance and humanitarian organizations for their help and support.

The conference that was held on May 18, 2000 on "Development Problems and Strategic Directions' became a peak of the overall work undertaken. The President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev took part in the work of the conference and gave large speech. At the conference, the problems of refugees and internally displaced people were viewed in the light of today's requirements. The government's strategy is declared - creation of job opportunities for internally displaced people in order for them to support themselves.

However, regardless of measures taken by the Government and international humanitarian organizations, the humanitarian situation in Azerbaijan remains extremely difficult. An resolutions of UN Security Council, appeals to Armenia. Decisions by the Lisbon Summit for soonest peaceful settlement of the conflict liberation of the occupied territories and return of the refugees and internally displaced people to their homes have been left unfulfilled.

Today, there is no world analogue to the situation that is present now in Azerbaijan. The portion of displaced persons to the total population is one of the highest in the world. Almost every 8th resident of the country is an internally displaced person or a refugee. There are about 1 million of such people in the country, 700,000 of who are internally displaced persons.

The country has used up almost all of its resources and needs additional resources and international solidarity.

A dangerous tendency of reduction in volumes of humanitarian aid to Azerbaijan continues to take place. Last year I quoted concrete figures concerning this and I do not want to take your time and will just add that almost 300,000 internally displaced people have not been receiving any food aid since the beginning of the conflict. Today, another 150,000 people are exposed to threat of loosing such aid, the ration of which has already been minimized to 3-4 kg per month, whereas humanitarian aid is the only source of their survival.

We are also concerned with intentions of some international humanitarian organizations regarding premature closure of rehabilitation programs, and full transfer from "emergency" phase of the crisis, which was caused by displacement of the population, to development, reconstruction, and reintegration oriented projects.

We strongly believe that projects, which envisage long-term development, should be implemented along with provision of basic humanitarian aid to those in need.

It is however understood that such aid cannot last forever. But what have I million people got to do when their return home is not ensured, job opportunities and conditions are not created, so that they could support themselves?

Today, there is a partial opinion formed among the world community that internally displaced persons will be able to return to their homes right after a peace agreement is signed. Such opinion is wrong. However, that does not mean that people do not want to return to their homes. We all know very well that the entire infrastructure in the occupied territories has been destroyed, the property has been either robbed or taken out completely. Representatives of all international organizations, including the co-chairmen of OSCE Minsk Group have also confirmed this.

A lot of time and resources are needed to determine the volume of damage with required participation by international organizations, in order to prepare and implement mine-clearing and restoration programs, the return of people to their homes, and finally, their psychological rehabilitation.

Bilateral negotiations between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia gives a hope for settlement of the conflict, liberation of the occupied territories, and return of refugees and internally displaced people to their homes. The Minsk Group of OSCE has also become more active. However, the desired results have not been achieved yet.

The humanitarian problem connected with internally displaced persons in our country still exists and becomes worse. Lack of international legal framework for solving problems of internally displaced, persons also serves as a reason for this. Fifty years passed since adoption of the 195 1 Convention and a lot of things changed in the world. The situation is quite different now. Two thirds of displaced people in the world are the ones who were moved forcibly. And the I951 Convention does not have legal instruments to solve problems of forcibly displaced people. Taking this into account, it may need changes and additions. It would be reasonable to establish relevant subdivisions in the structure of UNHCR.

Esteemed Ladles And Gentlemen!

Taking into account the importance and significance of the issues reviewed within the framework of the Conference, the Azerbaijan Republic confirms its willingness to participate in the process of the Conference for another five years after the year 2000. At the same time we would like to note that CIS Conference factually has not played a significant role in solving the problems of member-states concerning internally displaced persons and difficulties that exist In reaching any progress in this direction in future.

Along with this, our participation In this process through direct contacts with Management of UNHCR and other international humanitarian organizations, including representatives of donor countries, gave us an opportunity to draw attention of international community to severe humanitarian crisis, which took place as a result of occupation of part of Azerbaijani territory by Armenia, and to take actions aimed at increase of humanitarian aid to our refugees and internally displaced persons.

Nevertheless, we share the opinion reflected in the Review Report that although the achievements described in this report were made during the process, it would not be right to always credit them exclusively to the process as to the main factor that promoted their implementation.

Agreements achieved by the Working Group are considered important. The Azerbaijan Republic took active part in the work of the group from the very beginning. In this context, Azerbaijan supports the draft recommendations that were worked out and agreed by the Working Group. Despite of disagreement that used to have place, we would like to mention with pleasure at consensus that was reached on the new official name of the Conference and its thematic and structural issues.

Azerbaijan does not view the participation of a group of countries in the work of the Conference and its subsequent process as regional cooperation. Moreover, we would like to state once more about unacceptability of so called 'sub-regional cooperation' for Azerbaijan, which may be fragile and unproductive due to the unsettled conflict, and may also lead to big tensions between the states.

The Government of Azerbaijan believes that solution of problems caused by bilateral military conflicts, including displacement of people, may not be achieved beyond the frameworks of existing mechanisms for conflict settlement. Nevertheless, taking into account the diversified nature of problems in member-countries at the Conference, Azerbaijan does not object to flexible participation of the states in the process of the Conference.

Azerbaijan also considers unacceptable the development of a single strategy for financial aid of donors, which has to be examined only through taking into account of different circumstances and subsequence of displacement of the population in each country, as the reasons for appearance of refugees and internally displaced persons in our country, as well as their number and situation strongly differ from those in other CIS countries. We support the individual approach to each country.

Along with our participation at the CIS Conference, we attach great importance to the development of bilateral cooperation with UNHCR and other international organizations. We consider that the Geneva process must be built in such a way, so that it would not hinder our direct contacts with donor organizations and countries, and would not lead to reduction of the aid provided.

Esteemed Ladles and Gentlemen!

We believe that there Is still a lot to do and that UNHCR and other UN agencies play a great role in this.

Finally, I would like to express our hope and belief that this session and its decisions will be useful in solving the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons In our Gauntly.

Thank you for your attention.