Geneva

Thank you Mr. Chairperson.

Estonia congratulates the two newly appointed assistant high commissioners – Mr Türk for protection and Mr Okkoth-Obbo for UNHCR operations – for their respective nominations. We look very much forward to working with them.

Estonia fully aligns itself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. We wish to add some elements in our national capacity.

First of all, Estonia commends the UNHCR’s mandated lead role for the provision of international protection to refugees and internally displaced persons around the world. The growing gap between the needs and the resources available urges the international community to think on the limits of the humanitarian response and find innovative ways to help the populations in distress.

Mr. Chairperson,

Due to complex situations at European borders, the number of people seeking protection in Europe is increasing. Estonia commends the contribution of the UNHCR to the evolution of the international protection as a domain, as well as providing valuable expertise to States in implementing relevant legislation.

In this regard, Estonia supports the implementation of the Common European Asylum System that intends to offer better access to persons entitled to international protection and make the decision-making process of international protection more fair, fast and high-quality. While admitting significant success, we recognize the need to complete this work.

Speaking about strengthening the legislation, it is worth mentioning that in January this year, the Estonian Parliament approved the amendments to the Estonian Citizenship Act. The aim of the amendments is to automatically grant the nationality to children born in Estonia to parents with undetermined citizenship. Also the Estonian language requirements for elderly applicants were simplified.

Mr. Chairperson,

The year 2014 brought along several major protection challenges in Europe.  We witnessed the afflux of over 1,5 million Syrian refugees to Turkey and the conflict in Ukraine that causes dramatic human suffering.

In 2015 the Government of Estonia has decided to more than double the assistance towards Ukraine compared to the previous year by allocating altogether 2,35 million euros in 2015 to both humanitarian activities and bilateral development.

Over the past year, Estonia has been working closely with UNHCR dedicated staff in Ukraine. We commend the work UNHCR does on the ground in mitigating the suffering of displaced and affected persons in the field, but also in regard to advocacy for the establishment of appropriate legislative frameworks.. Estonia will continue to support UNHCRs work and activities in Ukraine also in 2015.

In regard to humanitarian situation in Ukraine, let me underline two more aspects of crucial importance: access to all populations in need and the respect of core humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. Estonia recalls that humanitarian assistance has to be needs-based, respecting international humanitarian law and the humanitarian situation must never be used for political means.  In this regard, Estonia welcomes the opening of the UN office in Donetsk as a means of enabling better access to additional humanitarian organizations and providing efficient and principled humanitarian assistance to the affected population.

Thank you!