VOA标准英语2009年-UNHCR Calls for Protection of Refugees

The U.N. refugee agency is appealing to European Union countries to make sure that people seeking asylum¹ are given a fair hearing of their claims for international protection. The UNHCR says it is concerned about the treatment of the growing number of Africans arriving by sea in Mediterranean² countries.

U.N. refugee agency estimates more than 67,000 people made the crossing to Europe by sea last year. It says more than half arrived in Italy and Malta alone, mostly after transiting³ Libya.

U.N. refugee spokesman, Ron Redmond, says the vast majority applied⁴ for asylum. And, he says, more than half of those claiming asylum were found to be in need of international protection.

"With few opportunities to enter the EU by regular means, thousands of people threatened by persecution⁵ and serious human rights violations⁷ in their home countries have no choice but to take this dangerous sea route," said Redmond. "This highlights the vital need to ensure that State agreements and measures to tighten⁸ borders do not block access to safety for those who are seeking protection in the EU."
　

Some 220 illegal immigrants arrive in the southernmost Italian island of Lampedusa after being intercepted9 by Italian coast guards, 19 Jul 2007

Toward the end of last year, there were chaotic¹⁰ scenes of thousands of African migrants landing on the Italian island of Lampedusa. Most of the people who came by boat were from Somalia and Eritrea.

Redmond says the UNHCR appreciates the efforts made by Mediterranean States to rescue people in distress¹¹ at sea. At the same time, he says the agency understands that these arrivals put an enormous financial and social strain on receiving governments.

He says the UNHCR is increasingly concerned by what it sees as growing animosity toward the large number of irregular migrants taking the Mediterranean sea route and landing in southern Europe.

"We just want to ensure that people continue to receive access to proper asylum procedures," said Redmond. "If they are found not to be deserving of international protection, then, by all means, every government has the right and the responsibility to protect its borders-take action and deport¹² people if necessary."

Redmond cautions States they could be in violation⁶ of international law if they send asylum seekers back to countries where they cannot enjoy effective protection.

1 asylum   

n.避难所，庇护所，避难

参考例句：

• The people ask for political asylum.人们请求政治避难。
• Having sought asylum in the West for many years,they were eventually granted it.他们最终获得了在西方寻求多年的避难权。

2 Mediterranean   

adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的

参考例句：

• The houses are Mediterranean in character.这些房子都属地中海风格。
• Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.直布罗陀是地中海的要冲。

3 transiting   

通过（transit的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• The effect of the transiting mechanic required reserve system vehicle is low. 准备金制度的传导机制的作用是很低的。
• I was busy transiting to the telescope. 我正忙着旋转望远镜。

4 applied   

adj.应用的；v.应用，适用

参考例句：

• She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
• This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。

5 persecution   

n. 迫害,烦扰

参考例句：

• He had fled from France at the time of the persecution. 他在大迫害时期逃离了法国。
• Their persecution only serves to arouse the opposition of the people. 他们的迫害只激起人民对他们的反抗。

6 violation   

n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯

参考例句：

• He roared that was a violation of the rules.他大声说，那是违反规则的。
• He was fined 200 dollars for violation of traffic regulation.他因违反交通规则被罚款200美元。

7 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

8 tighten   

v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧

参考例句：

• Turn the screw to the right to tighten it.向右转动螺钉把它拧紧。
• Some countries tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation.一些国家实行紧缩银根的货币政策，以避免通货膨胀。

9 intercepted   

拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻

参考例句：

• Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave the hotel. 他正要离开旅馆，记者们把他拦截住了。
• Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave by the rear entrance. 他想从后门溜走，记者把他截住了。

10 chaotic   

adj.混沌的，一片混乱的，一团糟的

参考例句：

• Things have been getting chaotic in the office recently.最近办公室的情况越来越乱了。
• The traffic in the city was chaotic.这城市的交通糟透了。

11 distress   

n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛

参考例句：

• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
• Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。

12 deport   

vt.驱逐出境

参考例句：

• We deport aliens who slip across our borders.我们把偷渡入境的外国人驱逐出境。
• More than 240 England football fans are being deported from Italy following riots last night.昨晚的骚乱发生后有240多名英格兰球迷被驱逐出意大利。