UNHCR Asks Refugees Not To Gather Near Its Delhi Office as Police May Take Action

New Delhi: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday, June 19, asked refugees and asylum seekers in India not to congregate near its office in Delhi’s Vasant Vihar, warning that the authorities may move them to earmarked areas for protests like Jantar Mantar and Ramlila Maidan.

The UNCHR’s statement comes in the backdrop of a petition filed by residents of Vasant Vihar in the Delhi high court, claiming that the congregation of refugees and asylum seekers at the UN agency’s office was causing inconvenience to them. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said in April that in compliance with the directions of the high court, a meeting was called on March 28 to address the issue. The meeting was attended by the MEA, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Delhi police, the Delhi government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi Jal Board.

The affidavit says that the MHA proposed “that illegal immigrants can be directed to protest at an area earmarked for such a purpose like a designated area at Jantar Mantar has been designated by the Hon’ble Courts for carrying out protests and demonstrations”.

“The disturbance caused by the demonstrators and squatters appears to be a law and order problem and not a matter of privilege or immunity related to UNHCR. UNHCR appears to be functioning in accordance with UN Act and not violating any rules/laws. It would need to be examined if this problem was caused by UNHCR,” the affidavit said. The MEA added that according to the UNHCR, it had taken several measures because of which the “number of squatters in front of UNHCR India Vasant Vihar office has reduced from over a thousand in August 2021, to 2-4 individuals”.

On Monday, the UNHCR said that refugees and asylum seekers “are reminded that there are multiple communication channels available” for those who wish to contact the agency – including toll-free numbers, emails, and communication through community representative structures.

“UNHCR staff receives refugees and asylum seekers at the Vikaspuri registration center, and no public dealing is done at its Vasant Vihar Office. Refugees and asylum seekers are again advised not to approach UNHCR premises at Vasant Vihar but use the modes of communication available to them,” the statement said.

The agency said that the authorities have informed the Delhi high court that asylum seekers and refugees sitting outside the UNHCR office “would be directed to earmarked areas for protest and demonstrations”. It requested refugees and asylum seekers not to congregate outside the office in Vasant Vihar as this may put them in a “difficult situation”.

The association first moved the high court in September 2021, claiming that the gathering of Afghan nationals and refugees outside the UNHCR’s office at B block in Vasant Vihar was causing inconvenience to residents. The Afghans were protesting against the takeover of their country by the Taliban on August 15, 2021 and demanded granting of refugee status.

After the plea was filed, the Delhi police said the road was cleared. The association withdrew its petition. But it filed another plea, in which the Delhi police were issued notice in January this year. The high court sought a status report from the city police and said that “the status, as recorded in the order dated September 7, 2021, which specifically notes the submission that the road outside the UNHCR building has been cleared, is maintained”.

The association had then submitted that after the filing of the plea, “the road outside the UNHCR building in Vasant Vihar has been cleared” and therefore, the association’s primary grievance stood satisfied, subsequently withdrawing the plea on September 7, 2021. The HC had granted liberty to the association to approach the court again if needed. The association subsequently filed the present plea.

During the last hearing in April, the court asked the Delhi police to “seek instructions” on a proposal for directing foreign nationals to an earmarked space. The lawyer for the Vasant Vihar Welfare Association said that if the MHA’sproposal to direct refuges to an earmarked area is allowed, his clients will be satisfied. The matter was listed for hearing on September 18.