The situation of Burmese refugees in Romania

Reply to Written question | Doc. 13241 | 24 June 2013

Author(s):

Committee of Ministers

Origin

Adopted at the 1174th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (19 June 2013). 2013 - Third part-session

Reply to Written question

: Written question no. 630 (Doc. 13168)

1. During the examination of Written Question No. 630 asked by the Honourable Parliamentarian, the Romanian delegation informed the Committee of Ministers that a number of measures had been taken or offered by its authorities with a view to fostering the integration of the 38 Burmese refugees, such as free accommodation, job training, Romanian language classes and financial support, in addition to the support measures provided by the UNHCR, the European Union and NGOs.

2. The Romanian delegation pointed out that certain of the support and integration measures proposed were not accepted by Burmese refugees, given that the latter considered Romania as a country of transit and their intention was to move on to western European countries where they hoped to obtain more advantageous financial and social support than in Romania.

3. The Romanian authorities consider that they have taken all necessary measures to welcome and integrate the Burmese refugees in full compliance with Romania’s commitments to Council of Europe conventions and its other international obligations.

4. The Committee of Ministers recalls that Romania is bound by a number of Council of Europe conventions, such as the European Agreement on Transfer of Responsibility for Refugees (ETS No. 107), as well as by other international obligations, in particular the United Nations’ Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. In the light of the information provided by the Romanian authorities, the Committee of Ministers does not consider it necessary to prepare a specific report as requested by the Honourable Parliamentarian.