UN High Commissioner for Refugees visit NHRC
New Delhi, December 27, 2006
The United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Antonio Guterres called on the Acting Chairperson of NHRC, Dr. Justice Shivaraj V. Patil. Later, an interactive meeting was held, which was attended by Members Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao, Shri R.S. Kalha, Shri P.C. Sharma, Secretary General Shri R. K. Bhargava, Joint Secretary Smt. Aruna Sharma and the Chief Coordinator (Trg.) Shri PMV Siromony, NHRC.
Dr. Justice Patil welcomed Mr. Guterres and briefed the visiting dignitaries on the thirteen years of the Commission. He referred to the various issues being dealt by the Commission including the issue of refugees. He also highlighted that the Commission had visited the refugee camps in Tamil Nadu and surveyed the conditions there. He pointed out that India has been providing shelter to quite many refugees displaced from their countries. Dr. Patil said that the Commission has felt the need for a National Legislation to deal with the problem of refugees in India and has recommended the same to the Indian Government. He said the Government in principle has accepted the same. The Acting Chairperson stressed that there has to be a clear definition of refugees so that it is not confused with other forms of migrant population. He further expressed his concern on the issue of inability to distinguish between the bona- fide refugees from illegal immigrants and the other foreigners. Dr. Patil said that this issue needs to be addressed, so that the benefits percolate to the bona-fide refugees.
Mr. Antonio Guterres praised the Indian Government's generosity in granting protection to a number of refugees. He supported the idea of a solid National Legislation and said that the UNHCR will extend all cooperation for such a Legislation. He assured that his organization would cooperate with the Commission and the Indian Government to provide assistance including training, exchange of practices and discussions in the problem areas concerning refugees.
Mr. Antonio Guterres was accompanied by a delegation consisting of Ms. Janet Lime, Director of Asia-Pacific Bureau, UNHCR and Ms. Carol Bachelor, Senior Legal Officer, UNHCR.
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The United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Antonio Guterres called on the Acting Chairperson of NHRC, Dr. Justice Shivaraj V. Patil. Later, an interactive meeting was held, which was attended by Members Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao, Shri R.S. Kalha, Shri P.C. Sharma, Secretary General Shri R. K. Bhargava, Joint Secretary Smt. Aruna Sharma and the Chief Coordinator (Trg.) Shri PMV Siromony, NHRC.
Dr. Justice Patil welcomed Mr. Guterres and briefed the visiting dignitaries on the thirteen years of the Commission. He referred to the various issues being dealt by the Commission including the issue of refugees. He also highlighted that the Commission had visited the refugee camps in Tamil Nadu and surveyed the conditions there. He pointed out that India has been providing shelter to quite many refugees displaced from their countries. Dr. Patil said that the Commission has felt the need for a National Legislation to deal with the problem of refugees in India and has recommended the same to the Indian Government. He said the Government in principle has accepted the same. The Acting Chairperson stressed that there has to be a clear definition of refugees so that it is not confused with other forms of migrant population. He further expressed his concern on the issue of inability to distinguish between the bona- fide refugees from illegal immigrants and the other foreigners. Dr. Patil said that this issue needs to be addressed, so that the benefits percolate to the bona-fide refugees.
Mr. Antonio Guterres praised the Indian Government's generosity in granting protection to a number of refugees. He supported the idea of a solid National Legislation and said that the UNHCR will extend all cooperation for such a Legislation. He assured that his organization would cooperate with the Commission and the Indian Government to provide assistance including training, exchange of practices and discussions in the problem areas concerning refugees.
Mr. Antonio Guterres was accompanied by a delegation consisting of Ms. Janet Lime, Director of Asia-Pacific Bureau, UNHCR and Ms. Carol Bachelor, Senior Legal Officer, UNHCR.
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