4
5.
David Ennals reported on the situation. The Presidents of Pakistan and Bangladesh had both agreed that a conclusion must be reached to this problem. The difficulty is actually to get action. A proposal was made by the Bangladesh Government that there should be a tri-partite commission involving the two Governments and the UNHCR, and all parties had viewed this favourably. This would aim to move some Biharis to Pakistan, to resettle some in Bangladesh, and to use international funds to assist the Governments. Without this tri-partite commission, UNHCR is not able to start any action. UNHCR had proposed the appointment of a Project Officer to look into the extent of the problem, the cost of the solution etc. and Oxfam had agreed to fund this officer. David Ennals asked for the support of the Committee in urging for the formation of this essential tri-partite commission.
It was agreed that the Committee should ask the Director to write to the Embassies of both Governments concerned, to press for the formation of the tri-partite commission, and to express the interest of this country to do whatever possible to help.
Mr Landau (UNHCR) confirmed that it was hoped that the movement of 7,000 Biharis to Pakistan would begin on April 10th. He pointed out that although the UNHCR did not consider the Biharis to be refugees as they had never been in what is now left of Pakistan, the UNHCR were willing to assist the two Governments in finding a solution. It should be recognized that this solution may well be found within Bangladesh and not in Pakistan.
Members' attention was drawn to the new edition of the Minority Rights Group report on Biharis which gives a great deal of background and information.
Iranian Refugees
a)
b)
Bahais
Martin Barber reported that the question of Bahais fleeing to Pakistan from Iran had been brought to BRC's attention by the United States Committee for Refugees. There had been reports of Bahais being liable for detention or deportation. Recently, however, the situation had greatly improved. The Bahais in Pakistan were being given refugee cards and being allowed to stay.
It was reported that Bahais had been discussed at the UK/Europe Committee on 16th March. In Iran, they are not recognized as a minority religious group. There is particular concern now as there is a question of people registering for food rationing and Bahais would not be entitled to register.
There is a new Minority Rights Group report on Bahais which provides full information.
The Committee's concern was expressed and it was felt that the Government should be aware that this sort of persecution is going on. This was expressed to the representative from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who was at the meeting.
Baluchis
It was briefly reported that the Baluchi situation is an extremely sensitive one inside Pakistan. There are Baluchis in Iran and Pakistan, and there are some refugees crossing over the borders. So far there have been no known cases of refoulement. It was felt that the situation should be watched.
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