UNHCR Trains Border Officials on Identifying Asylum Seekers

Frontline officials at the western border point received training today organized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Refugees Department.  At the session held in San Ignacio, the officials were trained on the Standard Operating Procedures for identification and referral of people seeking asylum in Belize.  It provided them with the knowhow to better identify asylum seekers when they come in contact with them and refer them to the adequate authorities. The training covered a wide range of information from the global and regional refugee situation, including issues such as International Refugee Law and the Refugee Law of Belize. A release form the UNHCR says that the procedures were developed by the UNHCR and the government within the framework on international refugee protection and solutions.