United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Topic 1: Displacement cycle: Discrimination at every stage

Refugees may be impacted by racial discrimination and related intolerance at any point in the displacement cycle, including when it comes to their voluntary return and reintegration into their home countries or third countries, as well as when it drives them from their countries of origin, transit, and host countries. Certain refugee groups may encounter obstacles to local integration, including the process of citizenship, due to their perceived status as “foreign” or “other.” Racism faced by refugees and internally displaced people can compound pre-existing forms of racism by excluding those who are thought to be outsiders due to their name, physical characteristics, language, or other characteristics. These kinds of racism extend beyond isolated instances of racism. Furthermore, racism that targets foreigners in general may also target asylum seekers and refugees. So what can we delegates do to stop discrimination and displacement of these innocent people?

Topic 2: Asylum Today: Tougher Policies, Tumbling Numbers, Intolerance in Between

In response to criticism that they were overrun by asylum seekers in recent years, developed nations have tightened their immigration laws in an effort to control the flow of migrants and maintain border security. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been monitoring a declining trend in asylum requests submitted in developed nations since 2002. State-adopted complex policies resulted in a decrease in the number of asylum applicants as well as a “negative effect” on access to asylum. Although the number of asylum-seekers has decreased, which is excellent news, delegates still need to come up with other strategies.