Why is UNHCR conducting this activity?
UNHCR conducts verification activities periodically in order to verify and update individual registration records for the people already registered with UNHCR, and to collect additional information if necessary.
What will be the changes for me? How will I be impacted?
Your information will be updated if there are any changes and you will be issued with a new certificate. There will be no changes to your status as a result of this activity.
There will be no refugee status determination (RSD) or resettlement interviews during this visit, nor registration of new people.
What do I do if I am not registered with UNHCR?
People who are not registered with UNHCR and fear returning to their country of origin can apply for protection through the Government of Curacao (GoC) under article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The article 3 procedure is not an asylum procedure. It is a procedure that provides protection to individuals who fear returning to their country of origin due to the risk of being subjected to torture, inhuman treatment, and punishment.
In order to apply for article 3, you must go personally to the Foreign Nationals Supervision and Border Control Unit (UVTG for its acronym in Dutch) of the Curaçao Police Force located in the police complex at the Winston Churchill road (no number – this location is known as the “Rio Canario” police station). At UVTG you will complete a request for protection with the help of a UVTG officer, if necessary. You can also communicate with 8666 692/693 for more information.
What do I do if I sent my information to UNHCR in the past, and never received a certificate?
UNHCR will have to verify in our data base to be sure, but most likely your request for registration was not processed and unfortunately you are not considered registered with UNHCR. Unfortunately UNHCR cannot register new people at this time.
I am registered after 30 July 2017. When will I also be invited for verification/ receiving new certificate?
UNHCR will not be able to update information for all registered people at one time. It will be done gradually over the course of several visit and UNHCR will begin with individuals registered on or before June 30, 2017. You can see your registration date listed on your refugee or asylum-seeker certificate. UNHCR will contact individuals registered after this date at another time.
I am not scheduled for an appointment and I do have the old certificate. How will this affect me? Will I be at risk?
UNHCR will not be able to update information for all registered persons at one time. It will be done gradually over the course of several visits. During this period, some people will continue to have old certificates while others will be issued with new certificates. This will not affect your status and will not put you at risk. It is a transitionary period and at the end of the exercise all registered persons will be issued with the new certificate.
What will happen to me if I can not show up at my appointment for the verification?
If you are not in a position to come for your appointment, please make sure to contact UNHCR at: 297-732-0006 (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and during the verification period) or email us at [email protected] as soon as possible to inform about the reasons for not being able to come for the verification appointment.
My friends or family members also want to be registered with UNHCR. Can they come to my appointment?
No, only the individuals who are invited to the appointment may attend. People who do not have an appointment will not be allowed to enter the building.
Persons of Concerns who are not registered with UNHCR and fear returning to their country of origin can apply for protection through the Government of Curacao (GoC) under article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The article 3 procedure is not an asylum procedure. It is a procedure that provides protection to individuals who fear returning to their country of origin due to the risk of being subjected to torture, inhuman treatment, and punishment.
In order to apply for article 3, you must go personally to the Foreign Nationals Supervision and Border Control Unit (UVTG for its acronym in Dutch) of the Curaçao Police Force located in the police complex at the Winston Churchill road (no number – this location is known as the “Rio Canario” police station). At UVTG you will complete a request for protection with the help of a UVTG officer, if necessary. You can also communicate with 8666 692/693 for more information.
What do I do if I need some other kind of help?
If you have severe health needs, are a survivor of sexual or domestic abuse, are under 18 and have no family members in Curacao, or have other specific needs, you can call our hotline +297-732-0006 (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm) or email us at [email protected].
Can I be resettled to another country?
The upcoming mission to Curacao is only related to updating and verifying the personal records of asylum seekers and refugees registered with UNHCR. If and when there is a resettlement processing in future, UNHCR will directly contact those who are considered via email through an account ending in @unhcr.org, or by phone. There is no registration or application process for resettlement.
What about my family members who are not registered with UNHCR?
If you are a registered asylum seeker or refugee with UNHCR and you have family members who have not been able to register, UNHCR cannot add them to your case at this time, with the exception of minor children who are with you in Curacao.
What about my family members who are still in our home country?
If you have family members who have not fled your country of origin, or home country, UNHCR cannot assist with bringing them to Curacao.