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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Group to Examine Problem of Refugees and Displaced Persons

1 October 1996

Representatives of 16 Commonwealth countries will meet at Marlborough House in London from 2-3 October to examine the tragic problem of the growing number of refugees and displaced persons worldwide. The Intergovernmental Group on Refugees and Displaced Persons (IGRDP) will focus on the impact of the refugee problem on Commonwealth developing countries.

The Group was established by the Commonwealth Secretary-General following a request from Commonwealth Heads of Government in November 1995, and based on a recommendation from another Commonwealth intergovernmental group. The Commonwealth's 53 member countries currently host some 6 million refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons and others of concern within their territories. The Group will pay particular attention to the special needs of women and children, who constitute approximately 80 per cent of all refugees and displaced persons.

Drawing especially on the experiences of Commonwealth countries, the Group will also look for ways in which the work of the UN agencies, other international organisations and non- governmental organisations directly concerned, as well as international principles and norms, might be reinforced and strengthened to bring practical help to alleviate the burdens on the affected countries. A representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will participate in the Group's discussions as an Observer. The Group is expected to hold further meetings and report its findings to the Commonwealth Secretary-General who will report on the matter to Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh in October 1997.

Note to Editors:
The countries represented on the IGRDP are: Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Britain, Canada, Cyprus, Ghana, India, Malawi, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Issued by the Information and Public Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat,
Marlborough House,
Pall Mall,
London SW1Y 5HX,
United Kingdom.
Tel: 0207-839 3411;
Fax: 0207-839 9081;
Telex: 27678


96/47 1 October 1996

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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int