REFUGEE

The refugee is defined as under international law, a refugee is a person who is outside
his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution
because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or
political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that
country, or to return there, for fear of persecution. They are subgroup of the broader
category of displaced persons. They are distinguished from economic who have voluntarily
left their country of origin for economic reasons, and from internally who have not crossed an
international border

The legal definition f refugee is (according to the law): -

A refugee is a person who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of nationality
because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion,
nationality, political opinions, or membership in a particular group.

Those who seek refugee status are sometimes known as asylum seekers and the practice of
accepting such refugees is that of offering political asylum. Some governments are
relatively tolerant and accepting of asylum claims; other governments will not only refuse
such claims, but may actually arrest those who attempt to seek asylum. The most common
such claims are based upon political and religious grounds.

Population of refugees in India is given in below table,

Country 2005 2006 2007 2008

India 139,283 158,366 161,537 184,543

Source: http://data.worldbank.org/country/india

Case study of Burmese refugees in India: -

History: -

The first batch of Burmese refugees arrived in India a few days after military take over on
1988. They were mostly students. They were of the political parties including Members of
Parliament from NLD, CNLD and ALD. The first refugee moved to Delhi to seek UNHCR
protection was in mid 1990. All Burmese refugees of that time were simply political. There
was no talk of minority or gender or religious issues but just pro-democracy

Since 2002 other batch of Burmese came to India en mass for different reasons. They were
mainly from Chin and Kachin States. Then resettlement program was introduced. As of 2010
the number of Burmese refugees is not diminishing. Political instability and poor conditions
inside the country pushed millions citizens to flee Burma to find jobs and to seek better
life. The election in 2010 may not prevent refugees fleeing from Burma.

There are three categories of Burmese living in India.

1. Political activists: The number is decreasing because of resettlement program and very
few new comers of this sort. They are living in Delhi and in the Northeast States such as
Mizoram, Manipur, Arunacha Pradesh and Nagaland. A couple of hundreds of them belong to
ethnic armed groups .
2. Chin ethnic people and Burmese migrant workers in Mizoram and Manipur: The number
cannot be counted correctly because Chins from Burma can be mixed with local people.
There have been tens of thousands who have lived or had relatives in Burma already in
Mizoram before 1988 political crisis. NGOs give the number there from 20,000 to 50,000.
This does not necessarily mean they are not safe to go Burma nor they want to leave India.
3. Those who come to Delhi to seek a better life in a third country: This is majority of
Burmese here in Delhi.

The best estimate of Burmese refugees residing in Delhi is over 6,000. Around 2,800 have
been recognized by UNHCR. The living condition of them is below the standard of Indian
slum dwellers. Those who got jobs can earn only 1,500 ($33) to 2,500 ($55) per month for
long hours of work. Routine workplace discriminations are reported every day. Although
UNHCR to some extend takes care of over 60 over 50 years cannot get jobs. Social problems
including violence against women, poor health and lack of education are deliberate and
need to be addressed. Foreign countries regard India safer and better than other countries
where Burmese refugees are living. But it is not correct.

Problems in helping the Burmese refugees: -

1) Generalization: -of all refugees made difficult for genuine political refugees who are
definitely unsafe to return Burma. It seems that recommendation for political background is
not considered. Some of those who are waiting for recognition or date for departure for
third countries can return back to Burma. Most of the refugees are not happy with UNHCR
and its partner organizations. There are reports of local people being recognized.

2) Financial: -The subsidiary assistance from UNHCR has been reduced from [2,245
($50) x 6 month = $300] to [3,000 ($66) x 3 months = $200] and UNHCR informed that it was
due to lack of fund. But refugees learn that UNHCR is receiving more funds and used not for
refugee assistance.

Education for Burmese refugees

Sadly to say education is regarded as temporary stepping stone for young Burmese before
resettlement. However many of them are eager to learn. There are a few facilities which
provide education for Burmese refugees. Thanks to Prospect Burma from London and OSI
from New York. The Indian bible schools are where many Burmese Christians can study.

In Delhi there are about 200 out of 600 Burmese children are not at schools. Some marginal
numbers are enrolled in distance education program provided by the Open University under
DU , IGNOU etc. There are no provisions for unrecognized children in terms of education in
India. Even for the recognized refugees though some provisions are given by UNHCR to send
to Government schools, the Burmese children are not able to go to schools because of Hindi
medium.

Health Status of Burmese Refugees in Delhi : -

There were 2918 male, 5329 female and 8247 total patients. Total Surgical case 550 and
total Labor Cases = 120.

Lack of money makes them unhealthy. For basic health care Burmese refugees have to rely
on themselves. Due to communication and cultural difficulties they seek care from Indian
health centers as last resort. There are two small clinics where Burmese can rely on. But
there is no NGO funding at all. The Yamuna Clinic is where most of refugees have to rely
on. The Yamuna clinic for Burmese community was opened in New Delhi since August 2002.
Also Yamuna clinic has found,

1) Common illnesses:-

The self-survey conducted for the period from August 2006 to May 2007 showed that the
most common diseases are of respiratory system (25.14%) followed by diseases of digestive
tract (20.16%). Lack of sufficient income, poor living condition and unhygienic food
processing may have caused them. (1) Respiratory Infections (2) Gastro-intestinal tract
infections (3) Anemia and malnutrition (4) Pregnancy related illnesses (5) Sexually
transmitted diseases.

2) TB: -

Tuberculosis becomes a major problem among Burmese refugees. The clinic notices adult
and children have been diagnosed but not all of them receive full course of treatment.
Some new-born babies do not receive BCG vaccine. There are cases of Multi-drug resistant
TB patients among Burmese community.

3) Psychological trouble: -

Drug and alcohol Addition are common among Burmese young adults. Home-sick,
uncertainty of future and poverty may have caused.

4) HIV-AIDS and Hepatitis B: -

It has been reported that 23 refugees are HIV positive. 3 to 4 refugees are seeking ART
(Anti-retro viral Treatment) at DDU. But the doctor said language is problem for refugees
for explanation and follow-ups. Hepatitis B is also detected among Burmese.

5) Immunization: -

Immunization was given to 339 children in November 2006. Currently this clinic is providing
only BCG, OPV, DPT, and ATT.

References: -
• Refugee population by country or territory of asylum
• Source: http://data.worldbank.org/country/india

• Naoko Obi and Jeff Crisp, “Evaluation of UNHCR’s policy on refugees in urban
areas, A case study review of New Delhi”, EPAU/04 November 2000.
• K C Saha, “Learning from empowerment of Sri Lankan refugees in India”.