News posted by www.newsinfoline.com
Saroj Kumar Pattnaik New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) Donning traditional Indian attires and dancing to Bollywood hits or bhangra tunes, refugees from various countries mesmerised Delhiites with their performance but with a message that they had lost their homes not their future. Myanmares, Afghans, Somalis and refugees and asylum seekers of other nationalities got together yesterday on the eve of World Refugee Day and came up with an enthralling presentation here organised by the UN Human Rights Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its implementing agencies. "For me, India is a second home away from my home," says Abdinur Farah, a 25-year-old Somali who fled to India in 2005 along with his younger sister after his family members got killed. "I am not the one, there are hundreds of my countrymen who fled Somalia to escape deaths or persecution." Echoing similar views, Mohammad Roheed, an Afghan refugee, said the situation in their country forced his family to leave Kabul. "We find ourselves secured in India than never before." India has a population of about 2,50,000 refugees of various nationalities who fled their countries because of conflicts and fear of persecution. Among them, over a lakh are Tibetans and 73,000 Sri Lankan Tamils, who are under direct protection of the government. Besides them, there are a number of refugees and asylum seekers of other nationalities, including Afghans, Myanmarese and Somalis who are under the protection of UN Refugee Agency in Delhi. According to the UNHCR, about 13,500 refugees have been under its mandate, of which 9,000 are Afghans, 3,500 from Myanmar and 1,000 of other nationalities, including 700 Somalis who are living in small accommodations in nondescript corners of the city. There are also 7,300 asylum seekers registered with the UNHCR, which determines the refugee status of foreigners and provides them necessary protection and assistance. Although India hosts thousands of refugees, it is not a signatory to the the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, which sets out the rights of individuals granted asylum, and the responsibilities of nations that grant asylum. According to UNHCR officials, India''s track record in accepting and handling mass influx of refugees over the years has been commendable. "Despite not being a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention, India has been a generous country for refugees. Perhaps, this lies in its centuries-old tradition of being hospitable to everyone," says Nayana Bose, Associate External Relations Officer at UNHCR-India. (more) PTI SKP DEP.
News posted by www.newsinfoline.com
Click here to read more news from www.newsinfoline.com
Please follow our blogs
newsinfolinephotogallery
prabugallery
newsinfolinephotogallery1
photogallery1
No comments:
Post a Comment