Burmese refugees stage peaceful demonstration at New Delhi on 20 June 2011
- Burma Centre Delhi (BCD) -
20 June 2011, New Delhi:
The 20th June 2011 day marks the 60th Anniversary of World Refugee Day. Along with the global communities to commemorate this day the Chin ethnic refugees from Burma also participate on this important day by Peace Rally at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
The problems and challenges of refugees are more increased compared to past decade globally.
The influx of Chin refugees from Burma in India is drastically increasing. As the statistic collected in 2009 the Chin refugees in Delhi was over 4000 and in 2011 the number is increased to over 10,000. As the population of Chin refugees increased the sufferings and the hardships associated with the refugees also increased day by day. The so called government change in Burma is not resulting more peaceful environment but is creating more crisis and violence on the ethnic minorities. The ongoing Burma political problem is feared to result Civil War in Burma.
On the 60th Anniversary of World Refugee Day the Chin Refugees from Burma in Delhi aims to expose the ongoing problems and political crisis in Burma and also to express the situation of Chin Refugees in Delhi, India.
The rally has been scheduled as follow:
Date : 20th June, 2011 (Monday)
Timing : 11 am to 2 pm
Place : Jantar Mantar
Burma Centre Delhi (BCD)
WZ 110-A, (1st Fl), Bodela,
Vikas Puri, New Delhi -110018, India
Ph: (O) +91-11-45660619
office(at)burmacentredelhi(dot)org
www.burmacentredelhi.org
E-mail: crcnewdelhi(at)gmail(dot)com
Summary Report on the Chin Refugees in Delhi
1. The Chin refugees from Burma came to India since the aftermath of unsuccessful 1988 -popular democratic uprising, and systematic violation of human rights ranging from arbitrary arrest and killings, rape, torture, political suppression, religious persecution, force labor, force porter and militarization by the military regime over five decades.
2. Presently more than (11,500) Chin refugees are living in Delhi under the care of the United Nations High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR). Out of this figure (5,000) are recognized refugees and (6,500) are asylum seekers.
3. As India is not a signatory state to the refugee convention of 1951, the Chin refugees in New Delhi do not receive any humanitarian assistance from the government of India, since it does not have a legal framework related to the welfare of the refugees in its territory.
4. The UNHCR, the only legitimate institution responsible for the refugee in Delhi has been able to provide limited services and humanitarian assistance to the Chin refugees from Burma within its capacities and role.
5. Under the above mentioned circumstances and conditions, the Chin refugees living in New Delhi are leading their lives in an extremely difficult and vulnerable situation in terms of survival, protection and basic human needs.
6. According to the ground survey conducted among (3274) Chin refugees by the Chin Refugee Committee (CRC) in May, 2011, the following statistics; (Male – 1651, Female-1623, Widow- 138, Widower- 17, Children under (18) -1311, Elderly above (60)- 49) are found.
a. Security: (692) persons are victims of assault, rape, looting, sexual harassment, eviction of room, physical attack and other criminal offences. Most of the reports being complained to the Police for protection and justice claim have been neglected. Only few cases have been dealt with action.
b. Survival: Only (688) persons could manage to get job in informal sector for their survival while the majority is jobless. The payment scales for the Chin refugees is extremely lower than the local Indian and are exploited at will by the employers since the refugees do not have the rights to work in India legally.
c. Education: Out of (1311) Chin refugee children being interviewed, only (421) children are receiving education. Out of this figure (314) are in informal school (YMCA and Don bosco) and 12 students in public school and 46 students in private school. And about 49 persons are in vocational courses.
d. Health : Out of (3274) persons being interviewed, (634) persons are having serious health problems such as (HIV, TB, diabetes, kidney, Gynecology, heart attack).
Chin Refugee Committee
New Delhi, India
Date: June 10, 2011
* This Press Release was sent by Burma Centre Delhi (BCD)
The sender can be contacted at kimbo119(at)gmail(dot)com
This PR was webcasted on June 20 2011 .
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