Targeted reintegration assistance coupled with development efforts, in effect not only contributes to the implementation of a durable solution but has a preventive effect. By prevention I do not mean putting up barriers to stop people moving. True prevention is a multifaceted and complex concept, involving policies which seek to reduce or remove the causes forcing people to leave their country. It is an extremely ambitious undertaking, including a wide variety of activities such as promotion of human rights, economic development, conflict resolution, ethnic and religious tolerance and the adoption of an accountable political system. Without any doubt, this task goes beyond solely humanitarian concerns.
Prevention falls to a great extent within the scope of foreign policy.
As in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, many refugees and displaced persons today flee from situations of conflict and ethnic tension. Prevention would, in such circumstances, demand that diplomatic and political negotiation efforts be increased in areas of potential tension, war and ethnic conflict. Human rights abuses constitute another major root cause of forced displacement. Consistent human rights and related minorities policies may yield preventive effects in mitigating such root causes. I believe that this interagency cooperation should be further strengthened.