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In Thailand
7.
In
By end 1985 the total mumber in Thailand of non-Indochinese refugees registered with UNHCR was 245, of whom 134 were Iranians. December 1984 the figuras were 199, of whom 145 were Iranians, During the last months the number of Iranians departing for resettlement to European countries increased, noticeably to Sweden.
However, small numbers of Iranians are still departing on their own for lack of UNHCR assistance in resettlement, creating irregular movements or orbit
cases.
It should be noted that Thai policy became increasingly restrictive regarding the extension of visitor visas issued to Iranians on arrival, Once the visa of an Iranian refugae “visitor" expires, the refugee becomes an illegal immigrant. He then could be apprehended at any time and placed in detention pending his departure from Thailand. UNHCR therefore requests the allocation of separate resettlement places for Iranian refugees in Thailand and their speedy consideration. Most recently Australia announced the acceptance of some 25 Iranian refugees from Thailand. UNHCR hopes that other countries could follow this example.
In Turkey
a) During 1985 the influx of Iranian asylum seekers into Turkey increased. Although the figure of Iranians in Turkey given by official sources remains static at around 4/5000, the number of refugees currently registered with UNHCR/ICMC has risen sharply.
The majority of the Iranians are singla young men who entered Turkey illegally across the mountains. Only few refugees belong to religious or ethnic minorities. There are also among the refugees single women and unaccompanied minors. Although small in number, their situation is especially vulnerable.
b) Iranians who antar Turkey and declare themselves as asylum seekers are required to leave the country as soon as possible. In this respect, the attitude of the Turkish authorities has become more rigorous than in the past. Only recently, seventeen refugees had to be moved to a resettlement country on an emergency basis.
In the case of other Iranians in Turkey the authorities are increasingly reluctant to extend temporary permits and put pressure on the persons to leave the country.
of the Iranian refugees registered with UNHCR at present, many are processed for resettlement in the USA. In 1984, the number of Iranian refugees transferred to Rome for INS procassing was 518. In 1985 (up to the end of Octobar), the number decreased sharply to approximately 150 as a result of the restrictions applied in accordance with US priority processing criteria.
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