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WQ.404/2021
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE
MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES BY THE CONNÉTABLE OF ST. MARTIN
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 11th OCTOBER 2021 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 18th OCTOBER 2021
Question
Will the Minister outline what barriers (including legal ones) have been identified to prevent Jersey from accommodating refugees fleeing persecution, and state what discussions, if any, have been held over the last 5 years with representatives from the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions to understand how any such barriers to resettlement may be overcome?
Answer
Jersey has a proud history of supporting refugees in various ways, whilst recognising the challenges and limitations of our highly constrained Island setting. In this respect, Jersey is different, in legal and practical support terms, from the United Kingdom. It is not possible to ring-fence the provision to a selected group of refugees, without opening up Jersey to all refugees, because of the non-discrimination obligations in both international instruments and Jersey law.
Instead, Jersey provides other means of support. For example, last month Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) committed £375,000 in response to the crisis in Afghanistan. With almost half of Afghanistan's population assessed as requiring humanitarian assistance, Jersey pledged funds to three organisations to provide
lifesaving support to those most in need. £150,000 to the UNHCR (the United Nations High Commission for Refugees), £125,000 to British NGO Street Child' and £100,000 to the British Red Cross.
Numerous discussions have been held with UK Government Ministers and officials over the past 5 years in respect of these matters, as it is consistent with Jersey's constitutional status.