`The Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Jordan, Andrew Harper, praised the efforts of Jordan in receiving Syrian Refugees despite the tough economic conditions that it's going through. He also praised the Jordanian Armed Forces and the burdens they borne considering this to be such a source of pride to Jordan.
Harper also called during a lecture at the University of Jordan (UJ) for the International community and the donor countries to increase their support to Jordan so that it would be able to receive more refugees, especially in light of Jordan's scarcity of resources; particularly energy, water, aspects of health, and education, pointing out that the effort of the international community hasn't reached the wanted level yet.
That lecture was organized by the Faculty of Law in collaboration with the American Bar Association - Rule of Law Initiative, and with the support of the U.S Agency of International Development USAID.
That lecture aims to increase awareness among students about the role of the Commissioner, the conventions and international laws that deal with asylum cases arising from conflicts.
Harper also gave an overview about the number of the Syrian refugees in Jordan and other neighboring countries, and the Syrian interior, referring that in Jordan alone the number of Syrian refugees has exceeded 600 thousand.
The Representative of the UNHCR also talked about the conditions that the Syrian refugees suffer from during the asylum process on the mental and physical levels, its effects on children and women, and their need for support and help to overcome those effects.
Harper also briefed about the history of establishing the Commission and the roles assigned to it. Then he talked about the adopted definition for those who are considered to be refugees, and to the most important international treaties concerned with human rights and intended to protect refugees.
He also talked about the Syrian refugees camps held in Jordan, most important, Al Zaatari Camp, its establishment and development, and pointed out to the effects of the camp on the nearby city of Mafraq.
He also noted the ongoing work to open a new in Al-Azraq next April, which is expected to host about 100 thousand refugees.
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jazi, a faculty member, started the lecture talking about Jordan’s role in receiving refugees for what it bears of religious, historic, and moral responsibilities.
Al-Jazi also talked about the social, economic, and legally implications of hosting Syrian Refugees during the past three years, and the role of the Commission in supporting Jordan to perform its duty in receiving refugees.
The USAID Mission Director for Jordan, Ms. Beth Paige, said "The faculty of law at the University of Jordan is hosting this series of public lectures to give students and audience a chance to listen to prominent experts talking about important current issues.”
Paige commended UJ for adopting sensitive issues in the recent times and for informing the Jordanian audience of constant evolutions.
The lecture that was attended by the Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Tariq Hammouri, and a number of the faculty.
At the end of the lecture, students were given time to ask the guest some questions. The questions included the role of the Commission, international treaties, and the legal frameworks that govern the relationship between the Commission and the country receiving the refugees.
