UNHCR: Afghan nationals protest for basic rights, refugee cards in Delhi

Hundreds of Afghan nationals protested outside the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) demanding the Commission to reopen old cases and issue support letters which in turn can be submitted at respective foreign embassies who have opened doors for Afghan refugees.

New Delhi: Hundreds of Afghan nationals protested outside the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), on Monday, demanding the Commission to reopen old cases as soon as possible and issue support letters which in turn can be submitted at various foreign embassies who have opened doors for Afghan refugees.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Meshta, a resident of Kabul, said, "I am living in India for quite long time but as my country is now captured by the Taliban, my family is not getting any financial support from there." Meshta also added that she was not getting access to education even in India as she is asked to submit refugee card during admission.

"We demand UNHCR to give us the refugee card so that we can live in those countries which are offering refugee visas. My father is unemployed, we haven't paid rent for the last three months. I am worried about my future. If we aren't able to live here properly then we should at least be given a chance to go to countries which have opened doors for us" she added.

Ahmad Zia Ghani, Head of Afghan Solidarity Committee (ASC) said, "We have only three demands. We expect UNHCR to reopen closed cases as soon as possible without any conditions and regulations and asylum seekers should be recognised as refugees due to the current crucial situation in Afghanistan." Ghani also added that they want UNHCR and its partners to fully recover their essentials until they leave India due to the definite closure of all kinds of incoming financial sources that Afghan refugees depended on.

"We expect from UNHCR to provide support letters to those embassies which are accepting refugees based on their announcement which would cover for all Afghan refugees, and at the meantime, we request them to share the copies of the letters with each individual of refugees for their reference."

He further spoke about the Citizenship Amendment Act and said that this act grants citizenship status to Hindus and Sikhs from Afghanistan but the Muslims of our country cannot get citizenship in India, so if the UNHCR gives us the support letters they can live in donor countries like Canada, Australia and the US which have opened doors for refugees.

Another protester said the situation is dangerous in Afghanistan and they are extremely worried about their families. There is no sign of bright and stable future in their country, so they cannot tolerate any more to see especially their children to be in danger, hungry, illiterate and deprived of universal basic rights. There is no way to return to home country forever.