The number of people who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of conflict has increased dramatically in recent years. Close to two-thirds of these people are displaced in their own countries, while the rest have fled across borders to other countries. In addition to this, there are large numbers of vulnerable migrants, who are not recognised as refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention, but who may nevertheless be in need of humanitarian aid. Women and girls who have been forced to flee are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, violence and sexual abuse.

Norway’s efforts to ensure the protection of refugees are based primarily on its obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. Unlike refugees, internally displaced people are not entitled to special international protection beyond what is set out in international human rights law and international humanitarian law. However, the humanitarian needs of internally displaced people are similar to, and in many cases greater than, the needs of refugees. The last significant step forward at the global level with regard to the protection of internally displaced people was in 1998 when the UN adopted the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. At present, it is only the African Union that has adopted a convention for the protection of internally displaced people (the Kampala Convention).

Norway has played a leading role in international efforts to improve the protection of internally displaced people for several years, in particular by highlighting this issue in the UN. This engagement is difficult in a multilateral climate where more states are citing state sovereignty as grounds for not expanding the international protection regime, despite the immense scale of humanitarian needs in areas where internally displaced people are living. The Government will continue its international engagement to improve protection for internally displaced people.

Many displaced people outside their home country are not protected under the Refugee Convention. Nevertheless, they may be in need of humanitarian assistance and protection in line with the humanitarian imperative. People living in unacceptable conditions in transit countries, as we have seen in Libya in recent years, are one example. The situation for displaced people can be challenging and complex. Migrants and refugees often follow the same migration routes. Moreover, a person’s legal status may change while in transit. This can make it more difficult to determine people’s status and give them the protection they need.

The Government will maintain Norway’s engagement relating to protection of and assistance to refugees; be a strong advocate in the UN of the need to improve protection for internally displaced people and help find durable solutions in this area.