Memorandum of Understanding on refugees, UNHCR and ECOWAS.

Volume 2165, II-1242
7. Considering that, in order to attain these objectives, UNHCR accords primacy to
activities performed in the areas <strong>of</strong> peace and security, democracy and political stability,
respect for rule <strong>of</strong> law and human rights as well as social and economic development;
8. Bearing in mind that the special protection and assistance needs <strong>of</strong> refugee women
and children and unaccompanied minors who, together, constitute the overwhelming majority
<strong>of</strong> any refugee or internally displaced population, is central to the fulfilment <strong>of</strong> UN-
HCR's mandate;
9. Determined that these issues should be resolved in a manner consistent with the
relevant legal, humanitarian and human rights principles which take account <strong>of</strong> legitimate
political, social and economic interests <strong>of</strong> all the countries and Member States <strong>of</strong> ECOW-
AS;
10. Convinced that co-operation between the parties hereto will serve their purposes
and mutual interests more adequately and render their respective activities more beneficial
to ECOWAS Member States and UNHCR;
The two Contracting Parties have agreed as follows:
Article I. Obiective
The objective <strong>of</strong> this Agreement is to establish a framework for a multisectional cooperation
between ECOWAS and UNHCR, in agreed areas, as well as to facilitate cooperation
between UNHCR and Governments <strong>of</strong> ECOWAS Member States in the same agreed
areas;
Article II. Areas <strong>of</strong> Co-operation
The parties shall co-operate in the following areas:
1. Refugees and asylum seekers, particularly refugee women and children and unaccompanied
minors, forced population movements into and within the region, asylum and
refugee protection principles, humanitarian and human rights law i.e. refoulement, expulsion,
arbitrary detention, education, freedom <strong>of</strong> movement, etc.
2. Organised and spontaneous voluntary repatriation, as well as
related rehabilitation and reintegration activities; local settlement
and resettlement within ECOWAS countries;
3. Establishment and development <strong>of</strong> mechanisms for managing and addressing the
root causes <strong>of</strong> refugee situations and issues related to security concerns in camps and areas
hosting refugees, returnees and populations <strong>of</strong> concern to UNHCR;
4. Post conflict recovery, prevention and early warning activities and measures;
5. Promotion <strong>of</strong> refugee law and legislation and status determination procedures
within ECOWAS countries i.e. harmonisation <strong>of</strong> national legislations and procedures with
ECOWAS Treaty as regards freedom <strong>of</strong> movement, properties, social welfare, etc .;
6. Funding for internally displaced persons, refugees, and returnees related activities
to be carried out by ECOWAS and UNHCR together;
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