Guinea: Rights and obligations of persons issued "Refugee and Displaced People" cards by the Ministry of the Interior and Security in the Republic of Guinea, in particular, protection afforded to them and whether they have a right to return
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GIN29356.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Guinea: Rights and obligations of persons issued "Refugee and Displaced People" cards by the Ministry of the Interior and Security in the Republic of Guinea, in particular, protection afforded to them and whether they have a right to return, 1 June 1998, GIN29356.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac6148.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In a letter faxed to the Research Directorate on 15 June 1998, the office of the UNHCR in Ottawa, states that according to the Branch office in Guinea, "the protection of refugees is provided by the Government of Guinea and monitored by the UNHCR in accordance with its protection mandate." However,
neither Guinea, nor the Branch Office, has yet issued a traditional refugee identity card. The "refugee and displaced people" card issued by the Ministry of the Interior and Security of Guinea is meant only for the purpose of allocating assistance entitlements such as food, health services, and accommodation. The Office notes that the absence of a traditional refugee identity card is due partly to the fact that citizens from any of the ECOWAS countries enjoy freedom of movement in member states.
With respect to the right of refugees to return to Guinea, the Branch Office notes that refugees from ECOWAS countries enjoy the right to return. Refugees from other countries would never be issued with a "refugee and displaced people" card as they are not residing in refugee camps and therefore the issue does not arise.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Ottawa. 15 June 1998. Letter received by fax.
Additional Sources Consulted
Electronic sources: IRB Databases, REFWORLD (UNHCR database).
