57th Session of the UNHCR Executive Committee

U.S. Response to Statement by Uzbekistan

Delivered by Joseph P. Cassidy
Member of U.S. Delegation
October 3, 2006

Thank you Mr. Chairman.

I want to thank High Commissioner Guterres for his response this morning to the statement by the representative of Uzbekistan. I would very much like to associate the views of my delegation with UNHCR’s on this issue.

Those of us gathered here should facilitate the work of UNHCR, not hinder it. States are obliged to protect the system of international asylum. They are enjoined from forcibly returning those with well-founded fears of persecution or torture and from attempts to coerce other states into committing refoulement.

We therefore ask that the government of Uzbekistan reconsider its decision to force the closure of UNHCR’s office in Tashkent. We ask that Uzbekistan desist from encouraging other states to forcibly return Uzbek asylum seekers. We ask that Uzbekistan provide UN officials with access to those Uzbek asylum seekers who have been forcibly returned. And we ask that the Uzbekistan government recommit itself to close cooperation with UNHCR.

I thank you Mr. Chairman.