NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Assistant Secretary Schwartz Addresses The Issue of Refugee Protection

Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration Eric P. Schwartz will present the keynote speech at a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980 sponsored by Georgetown University Law Center and Human Rights First on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at Georgetown University's Gewirz Student Center.

Assistant Secretary Schwartz will address the issue of refugee protection: the meaning of protection, the impact of Refugee Act of 1980 on the treatment of refugees, and the United States' responsibility to protect refugees.

The day-long symposium, entitled "Renewing U.S. Commitment to Refugee Protection: The 30th Anniversary of the Refugee Act", is open to the press and the general public. In addition to Assistant Secretary Schwartz's speech, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres will speak about "The Importance of U.S. Commitment and Leadership." Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration David Robinson will also participate in a panel on the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

To attend the symposium, press and public may register through this link: http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/asylum/refugee-act-symposium/index.aspx

Members of the press who would like to schedule an interview with Assistant Secretary Schwartz or Deputy Assistant Secretary Robinson at the event should contact:
Beth Schlachter
Public Affairs Advisor
202 663-1979
schlachteren@state.gov

Members of the press who would like to schedule an interview with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Gutierrez, should contact:
Brenda Bowser Human Rights First Press Officer
202 370-3323
bowsersoderb@humanrightsfirst.org

For those who wish to view the event, Georgetown Law will stream the event live on their website: http://www.law.georgetown.edu/

Source: U.S. Department of State