  Abu Dhabi University has organized a seminar focused on the status of refugees worldwide according to the 1951 convention and the protocol of 1967. The spokesman of this event was Mr. Khaled Fansa, Senior Regional Refugee Law Training Officer at the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Cairo. Amongst the attendees were Dr. Dr. Yosser Gadhoum, Dean of the College of Research and Graduate Studies, Mr. Jamal Saif Faris, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs, General Ahmed Mohamed, Ministry of Interior Affairs, Officer Ahmed Saeed Al Mazroui, Ministry of Interior Affairs, Mrs. May Kadroy, member of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Dr. Ahmed Al Mousa, Islamic Affairs, and some of ADU’s faculty members and staff. Dr. Yosser Gadhoum welcomed the guests in attendance and pointed out the importance of this topic and the worldwide significance and impact of International Refugee Laws and Rights.
Dr. Fansa initially emphasized the fact that the role of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees is non-political in nature, that it does not interfere in countries’ policies, but that it is actually a social and a humanitarian organization. He then defined the term refugee according to the 1951 convention and the protocol of 1967, which stated that the term refugee applies to any person who ‘as a result of events occurring before 1 January 1951 and owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it’.
Dr. Fansa noted that the role of the High Commission is to provide protection for refugees, regardless of place and time, adding that “the term was known in ancient civilizations such as the Egyptian, Greek and Roman, while the Arabs during the Jahili period used to call it Istigara, where refugees were granted the right of three days’ protection. When Islam came, the meaning of the term Istigara was developed in a broader sense and it became a principle of security, where the refugee, his family, and his money were granted protection for an entire year, therefore Islamic Shariah preceded the specific laws related to the protection of refugees.
Dr. Fansa explained the idea of international protection, noting that it begins by guaranteeing entrance to refugees to their new place of residence, and ensures that basic human rights are being respected, including the right of not being expelled to a country where their lives will be at risk. He also pointed out that the protection provided by the High Commission is temporary, until national protection is given to them by their own governments. Dr. Fansa added that the elements of national protection include encouraging countries to sign international agreements related to the protection of refugees which include: granting them entry, non-rejection on the borders, freedom of movement. The essence of the principle of protection is not forcing refugees to return to a territory where their lives can be at risk, and that these Contracted States shall abide by that article whereas the Non-Contracted States must also stick by this humanitarian law. The United Arab Emirates, despite not being among the Contracted States, has never used force to expel any refugee, whereas some of the contracting countries have violated this article.
Dr. Fansa noted that refugees’ rights include the freedom of practicing their religion,  applying the provisions of the convention to refugees without discrimination as to race, religion or country of origin, movable and immovable property, artistic rights and industrial property, right of association, right of education, freedom of movement, travel documents, and labour legislation and social security. Dr. Fansa added that Contracted States shall not expel a refugee from their territories except for reasons related to national security and public order.
Dr. Fansa noted that the High Commission does not encourage refugees who wish to return to their domicile if the situation wasn’t stable there; however, the final decision is up to the refugee. The ultimate the goal of the High Commission is to re-build a normal life for refugees while supporting their right to return to their domiciles. Dr. Fansa also explained the miss-conception, which many people believe, that re-settlement of refugees to a third country is a right while it’s considered as a solution only.
Dr Fansa added that the 1951 convention and the protocol of 1967 grant Contracted States some flexibility in terms of selecting the measures and establishments used to carry out their duties in accordance with the articles of this convention, and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees is charged with the task of supervising international conventions, providing for the protection of refugees, and recognizing that the effective co-ordination of measures taken to deal with this problem will depend upon the co-operation of various states with the High Commission.
A study case discussion was conducted about the group influx of refugees and the role of their countries of origin, neighboring countries, UNHCR, and the International Community.
About Abu Dhabi University
Abu Dhabi University was chartered as a private institution of higher learning in the year 2000 under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and President of Abu Dhabi University Board of Trustees. The University is licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research with all its degree programs accredited. The University of Abu Dhabi currently serves 3800 students at its two campuses in Abu Dhabi & Al Ain.
ADU Colleges are open to students from all nationalities and are based on the American model of higher Education. ADU comprises of the following Colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business Administration and the College of Engineering and Computer Science. ADU has also most recently established the College of Research and Graduate Studies, which is committed to applied strategic research to contribute to the UAE’s economic knowledge and its society, as well as evolving into a national and regional leader in graduate education. The College integrates discovery, teaching and learning with interdisciplinary focus and public service.
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