Dialogue with Afghanis on Hunger Strike

This afternoon, a dialogue has been initiated between the Afghanis on hunger strike, the Norwegian Red Cross and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). The background for the talks is a desire to end the hunger strike.

The government has asked the NGOs to assist a dialogue where the persons on hunger strike can give their points of view, and together with the NGOs discuss different solutions.

However, the decision from the intentions of the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the governments of Afghanistan and Norway remains. The decision to return those who have not been granted residency is therefore not a topic during the discussions.

President of the Norwegian Red Cross, Mr. Thorvald Stoltenberg, who has a background as a former UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Minister of Defence, Minister of Foreign Affairs and mediator in the Balkans, headed the meetings at the premises of the Red Cross. Mr. Colin Archer, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council has assisted in the talks. After today's meetings, it is decided to continue the dialogue.