TNAG-1523-FCO40-2087-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 22

1.

B.

1

4

1

Iranian Refugees

General observations

Resettlement needs of Iranians of Baha'i faith appear to be met satisfactorily but UNHCR would like to seek an equilibrium in acceptances to benefit other refugees including minorities, and a balance between acceptances from Pakistan/India and Turkey.

In South and South East Asia, the resettlement needs are primarily determined by the attitude of governments towards non-Indochinese refugees. Therefore, for this region we require an emergency quota as well as regular processing.

In the Gulf States

Among a large community of Iranians residing in the United Arab Emirates, a small number have escaped from Iran for political reasons. At any given time the total number of Iranian refugees in the Gulf States was about 50 persons. Their presence poses a delicate problem to the authorities. From time to time UNHCR had to intervene to prevent deportation.

Although insignificant in number, such refugees frequently have to be dealt with as a matter of urgency. The understanding of governments, as well as their quick response to resettlement requests by UNHCR, would be desirable.

In Pakistan

2.

3.

a)

The numbers of Iranians in Pakistan registered with UNHCR are as follows:

Baha'is

Christians

others

Total

persons (cases

1344

723

22

16

1167 588

2533 1327)

About 80% of all the Iranian Baha'is in Pakistan were resettled in 1984/1985 but only a small percentage of refugees of non Baha'i faith departed to third countries. For instance, in 1984, some 90% of the 796 Iranians resettled were Baha'is, Jews or belonged to other religious minorities.

b) Between January and June 1985 a total of 577 Baha'is departed from Pakistan compared with 83 Jews and 21 other Iranians. It is important to note that the label "Muslim" refugees is misleading as some resettlement countries indicated that Muslims are not persecuted in Iran. There is no doubt, however, that persons who are not members of religious minorities may have claims for well-founded fear of persecution and consequently would qualify as refugees.