The repatriation to Cambodia of the 360,000 refugees living in camps in Thailand began at the end of March 1992. By mid-February of this year, over 300,000 refugees and displaced persons have returned to Cambodia under United Nations auspices and without any major incident. The remainder is expected to be repatriated by mid-April. The voluntary repatriation of such a large number of people in such a short space of time is confirmation of the success of the programme.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which acts as the lead agency in the repatriation process, oversees the movement of returnees, the provision of immediate assistance and food, and a reintegration programme. The UNHCR is making every effort to advise returnees on the situation prevailing in their communes of final destination, particularly when they are unsafe or inaccessible. The security situation in some parts of the country has affected the repatriation operation to a limited extent for the time being. For the safety of the returnees the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) has declared some areas unsuitable for repatriation purposes. I would hope that this will be only a temporary measure. The shortage of safe, available land is also a factor in the reintegration of refugees in Cambodia. In this regard, an extensive mine-clearing programme was adopted by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre last November with a view to making more land available to returnees.
From the above, the Deputy will see that the United Nations is making every effort to ensure that the original principles of repatriation are adhered to. Ireland gives its full support to the UNHCR in this regard.
