October 23, 2003
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

New Delhi: Since Monday, angry Burmese refugees have been protesting continuously against the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)'s self-reliance policy. About 300 refugees were shouting heatedly
and holding the placards reading "UNHCR: Silent Killer" and "We Need Resettlement" in front of New Delhi office of the UNHCR for the fourth consecutive day today. Small children wearing school uniforms and young girls were among the protestors.

The demonstrating Burmese claim that the UNHCR has been cutting the assistance to them and has been unrealistically pressuring them to work. The refugees rejected what they see as a one-sided policy and are demanding to be sent to a third country.

"Shelter and food are a great problem for us. They [UNHCR] said to work, but
no one can get a job here. If they can't provide assistance, they must arrange to send us to a third country ", said Marpi, 23 years, who has lived in Delhi for two years.

"They just want to do whatever they like. Their self-reliance policy is just an imaginary," added a girl next to Marpi about the UNHCR's policy.

Some leaders of Indian political parties have showed their solidarity with the Burmese refugees. Mr. Annil Hegde, General Secretary of the Samata party, said in his speech to the Burmese demonstrators: "We are going to support the Burmese democracy activists who fled their homeland due to military junta's human rights violations. Their demands are not criminal, and this is their basic right. We support it." The Samata party is a part of the ruling coalition government in India and its leader Mr. George Fernandes, known for his sympathy with Burmese democracy movement, is currently Defence Minister.

A UNHCR local officer has rejected the refugees' demands after meeting with
5 Burmese representatives. "In regards to the request for resettlement,
this Office at this time, does not consider this as the most appropriate
durable solution. We are thus encouraging Burmese refugees to embark on
training and self-reliance activities, so that they could be empowered to improve the quality of their living in Delhi", Wei-Meng-Lim, the UNHCR Officer in Charge, said in a reply letter to refugees on Monday.

Delhi Police, though has so far allowed the Burmese to demonstrate in front of the UNHCR on Lodhi Road, arrested the demonstrators in evening and detained them for a couple of hours in the Lodhi Police Station before releasing them without charges. Even so, the refugees tried to come back to the UNHCR office and continued their demonstration.

At the night of October 21st, 24 Burmese refugees slept in backyard on the
grounds of UNHCR office. One refugee from this group, Pa Sui told Mizzima that they would continue their protest until their demands are met.

On October 22nd, the police managed to disperse the refugees who gathered in
front of UNHCR office till late night.

The Delhi-based UNHCR office issued nearly 900 certificates and provided Rs.
1400 per month for Burmese who fled the homeland after 1988 military coup. A
part of health care expenses are provided additionally. However, UNHCR imposed " self-reliance policy" in 2003 by boosting language and basic computer trainings. Then the UNHCR and its partner NGOs started cutting the allowances. There was a 30% reduction in first 6 months, and a 60% reduction in second 6 months to first 30 person batch.

Refugees, however, have appealed to be sent to a third country after they
experienced hardships getting a job in India. They complained that some
countries are ready to accept them but that the UNHCR is blocking their way
by not providing an approval recommendation letter.

Some refugees believe that the dubious Indian foreign policy influence a
poor country with high rates of unemployment. How can you get a job only
after a few months of computer training? We can't compete with the locals,"
said a refugee who asked to remain anonymous.