New Delhi: On June 20, in spite of an advisory by the UN Refugee Agency against gathering in front of its office, citing police, at least 200 displaced people from war-torn Myanmar marked World Refugee Day at the Vasant Vihar site, and pressed for better protection of their rights by the world body, and also by the Indian government.
‘Home Away from Home’ was the 2023 theme set by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for this year’s World Refugee Day.
At the call of the Myanmar Refugee Demand Committee (MRDC), Myanmarese protesters came to the UNHCR office packed in at least five buses from Delhi’s Budela and Hatsal, areas where many displaced people from the neighbouring country have taken refuge over the years.
Myanmar refugees board a bus from the protest site. Photo: Jon Suante.
Among those who attended the protest were noted rights activist and lawyer Nandita Haksar, who was in a wheelchair.
Considerable police presence was noted, much before protesters arrived at the scene.
Delhi Police at the UNHCR office in Vasant Vihar. Photo: Jon Suante
This was in response to a petition filed by residents of Vasant Vihar at the Delhi high court, claiming that the congregation of refugees and asylum seekers at the UNHCR office from time to time was causing them inconvenience. In response to that public interest litigation, the Union government had said that as per the high court’s directive, it had proposed designated areas like Jantar Mantar to carry out protests and demonstrations.
The UNHCR statement on June 19, asking refugees to not congregate in front of its office, was in compliance with that stand of the Union government.
Nevertheless, to mark the day, a charter of demands to be submitted to UNHCR was read out by MRDC general secretary Bualte in front of those present, including reporters.
Among the demands mentioned in the memorandum were the need for the UNHCR to issue refugee cards quickly to the displaced people and “to prevail upon” the Indian government not to treat all such refugees as “illegal immigrants” and issue them residence permits or long term visas.
“Please prevail upon the government of India (since India has representatives on the UNHCR Executive Committee) to issue residential permits to UNHCR recognised refugees,” the memorandum said.
Protesters at the UNHCR office at Vasant Vihar. Photo: Jon Suante
It also added that the Indian government does not issue exit visas to those among them who have been accepted as refugees by other countries, making it difficult for them to migrate out of the country. “UNHCR must fight for the rights of the refugees to get exit visas,” it said.
Also, with no official documents at hand, their children in India cannot attend formal schooling, nor can they apply for jobs, they highlighted. “Over the years, the condition of refugees has deteriorated and pushed them well below the poverty line, and many are living on less than one meal [a day],” the memorandum said.
Though the UNHCR offers some financial help to registered refugees, it is never enough to cover their rent and food requirements, the protesters added.
Later, Bualte and her colleague at MRDC, Cynthia, were granted permission by the UNHCR to enter the premises and submit the memorandum.