Some 4,000 Colombians have fled their homes to Brazil as a result of their country's armed conflict, according to a report published Friday by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Luis Varese, UNHCR representative in Brazil, told reporters on Friday that few of the refugees had sought help from authorities as they hoped to return home swiftly.

The year 2004 saw the biggest increase in refugees, who mostly came in as tourists or on temporary passports, he said.

"They mostly came to the city of Leticia and gradually moved to other parts of Brazil. The refugees are trying to protect their families from forced recruitment (by guerillas)," he said.

However, official statistics said there are only 3,400 refugees in Brazil, most of whom are from Angola which is recovering from a prolonged civil war.

Brazil's refugee legislation is "modern, wide-ranging and rigorous," Varese told reporters. "It was a great pleasure to work with Brazil on this legislation," he said.

Brazil grants refugee protection to all those who need to seek refuge, placing them under a protective protocol until their cases are recognized, Varese said. Once recognized, they have all the rights and obligations of a Brazilian citizen except the rights to vote and to do military service.

Source: Xinhua