Operations

50	Number of personnel (international and national)
5	Number of offices
USD 12.2 Mio	Overall funding requirements (ExCom-approved 2016 budget)

A. Operational Environment and Strategy

Mixed ­flows of asylum-seekers and migrants from South-West Asia, the Middle East, and Africa continue to feature on the protection agenda in this subregion. UNHCR is pursuing dialogue with all relevant actors to: foster regional cooperation; prevent refoulement; seek alternatives to the detention of asylum-seekers; and discourage the development of restrictive asylum policies.
 
In Australia, asylum policies have created challenges in maintaining the protection space, in particular the transfer of asylum-seekers arriving by sea to offshore processing centres (in Nauru and Papua New Guinea), with no prospect of a viable durable solution, and the interception of asylum-seeker vessels. However, Australia has also maintained the generosity it has traditionally displayed, providing resettlement places and high levels of support to UNHCR in response to multiple large-scale humanitarian crises around the world.
 
In New Zealand, the overall asylum and refugee framework remains positive, with a modest but well-managed resettlement programme and consistent financial support to UNHCR. Legislation to deter arrivals by sea came into force in 2013, although no push-backs have occurred to date.
 
The Pacific island countries are strengthening collaboration on border management and refugee protection. UNHCR continues to undertake mandate assessments for asylum-seekers and monitor the processing centres in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. In 2016, it will also continue to advocate for the application of international standards for the treatment of people of concern. 
 
In Papua New Guinea, concrete steps have been initiated to waive naturalization fees for refugee applicants. Approximately 10,000 West Papuans are currently undergoing registration to facilitate naturalization or refugee status.
 
China is becoming a transit and destination country for mixed movements as a result of its geographical and economic importance. The operational environment in China, including the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions (SARs), continues to be varied. In 2016, UNHCR will continue to provide support to the authorities to implement national refugee legislation and to enhance protection for all people of concern.
 
In Japan, the Ministry of Justice issued its draft Fifth Immigration Control Basic Plan in June 2015. UNHCR is lending support to ensure compliance with international principles and standards in the Government’s review of its asylum system. UNHCR is also strengthening partnerships with academia and universities in support of education for refugees.
 
In the Republic of Korea, UNHCR provides technical assistance and monitors the implementation of the National Refugee Act, which came into force in 2013. The Office works closely with the Ministry of Justice and with civil society to further improve: access to asylum procedures at ports of entry; refugee status determination (RSD) procedures; birth registration; reception conditions; and self-reliance of people of concern. 
 
In order to maintain public support for UNHCR and to address protection issues for people of concern, UNHCR’s presence in the subregion is aimed at nurturing strategic partnerships, including with the private sector and civil society.  Extensive awareness-raising, protection advocacy, community outreach programmes and fundraising will continue to be undertaken.  

B. Response and Implementation

In Australia and New Zealand, in 2016 UNHCR will continue to monitor legislative and policy developments, and to advocate for asylum policies and laws that do not discriminate against or penalize asylum-seekers on the basis of their mode of arrival. The Office will support the respective Governments to conduct fair and efficient RSD procedures, and improve access to the territory. UNHCR will also promote public awareness of asylum and refugee protection issues, including the dynamics of forced population movements by sea.
 
The Office will monitor the implementation of bilateral arrangements between Australia and Papua New Guinea and between Australia and Nauru in relation to offshore processing of asylum-seekers and refugees, as well as in pursuing appropriate durable solutions for refugees.
 
UNHCR will provide support to the Pacifi­c Island States to introduce protection safeguards in immigration procedures and establish and/or reinforce RSD capacity through training. In Papua New Guinea, UNHCR will continue to facilitate durable solutions for West Papuan refugees, in particular through local integration, and will support measures to enhance the capacity of governmental and NGO partners to provide effective protection and assistance to non-Melanesian asylum-seekers and refugees.
 
In China, UNHCR will continue to balance the direct delivery of protection and assistance to asylum-seekers and refugees with greater advocacy and provision of technical support to the Government. On the basis of the 2013 Exit-Entry Administration Law, UNHCR will continue to advocate for the Government to assume full responsibility for registration, RSD and durable solutions, in line with international standards. In Hong Kong SAR, China, UNHCR will closely monitor the implementation of the 2014 Unified Screening Mechanism and extend necessary support. In Macao SAR, China, UNHCR will continue to engage both the authorities and local actors to ensure the implementation of the 1951 Convention.
 
In Japan, UNHCR will support measures to improve the asylum system; develop fair and efficient RSD procedures; and establish adequate reception conditions. It will also work to increase the involvement of municipalities and host and refugee communities. The Office will continue to support the resettlement programme and advocate for Japan’s accession to the statelessness conventions. UNHCR will also strengthen partnership with development actors, notably the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
 
In the Republic of Korea, the Office will advocate for improvements to the asylum system and in the treatment of refugees and asylum-seekers, and enhance engagement with the Government, the National Human Rights Commission, NGOs and civil society. UNHCR provides technical assistance to the Government in the implementation of the Refugee Act, and also focuses on strengthening self-reliance for people of concern, in particular encouraging their access to livelihoods, in cooperation with partners. The Office will also support the Government’s efforts to establish a resettlement programme.