Dokument #1331378
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Autor)
In 1991 there were 527,000 Somali refugees
in Ethiopia (UNHCR 1993, 149). In 1992, the number had fallen to
406,000 (ibid.). According to a representative of the UNHCR in
Ottawa, 205,000 Somalis currently live in UNHCR-run refugee camps
in Ethiopia (31 May 1994). There are an additional 50,000 Somali
refugees living in urban areas of the country (UNHCR 21 Mar.
1994).
The majority of Somali refugees in Ethiopia
came from northwestern Somalia (ibid.). Many belong to the Issak
ethnic group and have urban backgrounds (ibid.). The UNHCR
representative in Ottawa stated that the main influx of Somali
refugees occurred in 1988 and 1989, and that large-scale
self-repatriation began in 1990 and 1991 (31 May 1994).
The representative stated that Ethiopia
accepted Somali refugees under both the Geneva and OAU refugee
conventions, but that most were accepted under the broader OAU
definition (ibid.). She said that Ethiopia still accommodates new
Somali refugees, but that major influxes are not expected in the
near future (ibid.).
The representative said that the government
of Ethiopia does not issue identity papers to Somali refugees and
that travel documents are only issued if a refugee is being
resettled in a third country (ibid.). She added that Somali
refugees are not granted the right to work in Ethiopia, but many
are engaged in economic activities within the camps (ibid.).
The representative stated that Somali
refugees in Ethiopia are issued UNHCR registration cards which
entitle them to UNHCR medical, food and primary educational
services (ibid.).
For additional information on Somali
refugees in Ethiopia, please refer to the attached documents.
This response was prepared after
researching publicly accessible information currently available to
the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does
not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular
claim to refugee status or asylum.
References United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). 21 March 1994. Electronic cable
received by DIRB.
. 1993. The State of the World's
Refugees 1993: The Challenge of Protection. 1993. London:
Penguin Books.
, Ottawa. 31 May 1994. Telephone
interview with representative.
Japan Economic Newswire. 1 April 1993.
"Fraud Rife in Ethiopian Camps for Northern Somalis." (NEXIS)
United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR). 21 March 1994. Electronic cable received by
DIRB.
. 1993. The State of the World's
Refugees 1993: The Challenge of Protection. 1993. London:
Penguin Books, p. 149.
UN Chronicle. September 1993.
"UNOSOM II Takes 'Decisive Action' to Restore Peace." (NEXIS)