21-05-2010 -
The Principality of Monaco submitted its instrument of accession to the “New York Protocol of 31st January 1967 relating to the status of refugees” on 16th June 2010. This Protocol modifies the Geneva Convention of 28th July 1951 relating to the status of refugees, to which the Principality of Monaco acceded on 18th May 1954.
To date, 145 States are party to the Convention, and 144 States party to the Protocol.
On 16th June 2010, H.E. Ms Isabelle Picco, Monaco’s ambassador to the United Nations, submitted the instruments of accession to the New York Protocol of 1967 relating to the status of refugees to the UN Secretary General. The protocol will enter into force soon following a Sovereign Order making it enforceable.
In its initial version, the Convention only applied to individuals who had become refugees following events that occurred prior to 1st January 1951. As new categories of refugee emerged after the adoption of the Convention, such refugees were unable to benefit from the Convention. The participating states therefore asked that the same status be applied to all refugees entitled to benefit from the Convention, without taking into consideration any sort of time limit. The 1967 Protocol was the consequence of this request.
Accession to this protocol is particularly efficient and operational due to the partnership with the U.N.H.C.R. After the ratification of the 1951 Convention, the Principality of Monaco, since 1961, has made a voluntary contribution to the High Commissioner.
For the past 4 years, this contribution has amounted to 100,000 € per year in aid of the populations severely affected by the crisis that still rages in Sudan.
H.E. Ms Isabelle Picco, Monaco’s Ambassador to the United Nations
Department of External Relations:
(+377) 98 98 89 04
(+377) 98 98 85 54
relext@gouv.mc
www.diplomatie.gouv.mc |