World Refugee Day 2018

On behalf of the UN system in Montenegro, let me greet you all on behalf of the UN System on World Refugee Day 2018 at the event here in the Community conducted jointly with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and UN Agency for Refugees.

The UN System stands together with our sister agency UNHCR in supporting the country to ensure strong services and protection of dignity for all refugees and asylum seekers.

“No one is a refugee by choice”. As the UN Secretary General said in his statement today, ““On World Refugee Day, we must all think about what more we can we do to help. The answer begins with unity and solidarity.” It is a time for solidarity with refugees in 2018 more than ever and it is important to remember that taking care of refugees should be a global responsibility.

This year the world marks 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Freedom and equality, freedom from discrimination, access to justice, freedom of movement, right to asylum, are just some of the rights enshrined in the Declaration that refugees are entitle to.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, agreed by all governments in 2015, sets out, not only goals for all countries in the world on the environment, social and economic issues but also for ensuring standards for refugees - safety and security, good health and well-being, access to education.

The promise of the Agenda 2030 is to leave no one behind! That commitment places special responsibility on Member States to put emphasis on poor and marginalized, including asylum seekers and refugees.

Montenegro has gained a well-deserved reputation for upholding humanitarian principles in the fair and equal treatment of refugees and migrants seeking access to the country.

On behalf of all UN Agencies, let me confirm our readiness to support the Government in their efforts to help refugees, provide access to asylum processes and to maintain conditions and capacities of the border and migration services in line with international and EU standards.