TNAG-1523-FCO40-2087-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 133

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c) On 9 October 1985, about 50 refugees demonstrated in front of the UNHCR Sub-Office in Karachi. It was the third time when non-Baha'i refugees expressed their frustration concerning inter-alia lack of resettlement prospects.

While in particular Australia and Canada are admitting Baha'is as refugees, we would wish to see resettlement opportunities made available also to other Iranian refugees. Present implementation of US refugee processing priorities favours refugees with links in the US in addition to members of religious minorities. Our priority is therefore to promote resettlement of refugees who fled from Iran for other than religious ressona.

In India

A) As of 31 December 1984 Iranian refugees registered by UNHCR in India were 1215 of whom 37% were Baha'is. Between January and October 1985, 273 new arrivals were registered. During the same period 150 refugees departed for resettlement countries, namely Australia, Canada, FRG, France, Korea and the USA. However, of this total, 109 Baha'is were resettled compared with 41 non-Baha'is, At present 949 refugees are registerad, It appears that the favourable resettlement activities for this group encourage more Baha'i refugees to seek to enter India and register with UNHCR,

b) In March 1985, Iranian refugees staged a 3-day hunger strike in New Delhi to express dissatisfaction concerning inter alia their resettlement prospects. The priority consideration given to Baha'i refugees created resentment among the majority of other refugees who are not Baha'is.

In the Philippines

Many Iranian asylum seekers in the Philippines are recognised as of concern to UNHCR. In spite of UNHCR's intervention, the Philippine Government does not recognise Iranians as refugees under the 1951 Convention nor has it granted asylum or residence to them. Many Iranian refugees are living under the threat of pro-regime elements which continue to harrass them. A cumulative total of 264 Iranian refugees requested UNHCR's assistance since 1981. Since 1983 some 98 were accepted for resettlement. Therefore, up to 100 additional places are necessary to assist other deserving refugees.

In December 1985 a number of Iranian rafugeas staged an eight-day hunger strike to emphasize their concern for their physical safety and to demonstrate their request for resettlement.

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