TNAG-1542-FCO40-2106-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 210

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CONFIDENTIAL

Reference

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UNHCR IN INDIA

The Head of the UNHCR delegation, Mr Dchefeke, made an introductory call on the High Commissioner at 11am on 10 September.

1.

Afghan Refugees

2. Dchefeke said that the UNHCR had about 6,000 Afghans and 1,000 Iranians on its books in Delhi at any one time. These were not necessarily the same peopie, as the re-settlement programme meant there was some turnover. But the totals seemed to remain at a fairly constant level.

3.

The GOI was prepared to let the UNHCR operate fairly freely provided it maintained a low profile. The GOI registered Afghans as refugees and were now issuing them with 12 month residence permits, which could be renewed. However technically speaking the refugees had to be described as being in transit. The GOI was not prepared to allow them to settle in India.

4.

Dchefeke said that some problems had recently arisen with registering Afghans coming from Pakistan as refugees. The GOI stopped accepting that these Afghans could be described as refugees in India about two months ago. Dchefeke thought this was a temporary problem, which would be overcome.

Indian attitude to UNHCR

5.

Dchefeke said that Indian relations with UNHCR had been steadily improving since Mrs Gandhi's death. For instance, India had attended the UNHCR's Executive Committee Meeting in Geneva this year, and had doubled their (admittedly modest) contribution. Dchefeke believed that the GOI was suspicious about the UNHCR because they had been concerned about its possible involvement with internal refugees (eg in Bihar or, more recently, the Punjab). The UNHCR had been trying to get across that their only concern was with refugees from other countries, and that they were constitutionally precluded from Dchefeke thought taking any interest in "internal" refugees. they were having some success, but the UNHCR were still operating as part of the UNDP office here.

י

11 September 1986

Cc:

WIND,

FCO

R J Codrington

Chanceries: KabONFIDENTIAL, UKMis Geneva

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