Urgent News
This article was taken from https://www.themorning.lk/articles/Xl14AoVNbZT0SruXgO8k
On June 1, 2023, refugees and asylum seekers in Sri Lanka launched a peaceful protest in front
of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Office in Colombo, appealing to
resolve issues related to delays in processing applications, resettlement, education, housing,
living expenses and employment.
The protest was in response to news of the possible closure of UNHCR Sri Lanka. The plan is to
close in two years, though the exact date is not mentioned. The news created panic among
asylum seekers, refugees and appeal applicants. Hundreds of families feel insecure and helpless.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, human rights activist Ruki Fernando said that refugees and asylum seekers and their children from countries such as Pakistan
and Afghanistan currently living in Sri Lanka launched the protest. The nearly two-hour peaceful demonstration in front of the
UNHCR in Colombo started around 10 in the morning.
“The primary request of those who attended the protest was to expedite the permanent
resettlement offered to them. Some of them have been living in Sri Lanka for more than
10 years. Some of them are asylum seekers, who have not yet been recognised as refugees by the UNHCR. They are not sure if they would be given refugee status or not. Their demand is to expedite the announcement of the decision regarding their refugee applications,” he explained.
“The Government should extend education and employment opportunities for them. As
many of them are capable of engaging in some employment, the expansion of such opportunities is not a burden at all. It is also important to provide food and housing related assistance as they are one of the
most vulnerable groups,” he added.
Sam, age 19, said, “I have a dream to work hard and be a provider for my single parent. It’s a
matter of reaching to a new home, when we could proudly say that’s our home. We need
sponsorship to reach to a safe country. There is lots of stress and uncertainty in Colombo. I have potential to good health to work hard to provide bread and butter for my mother and me. We are stranded and in limbo.”
Specific Threats for Pakistani Christians Asylum Seekers
Most asylum seekers are those who have left their countries in search of better life opportunities but Pakistani Christians have left the country due to threats of being convicted under blasphemy laws and religious persecution. Some of them have been in Sri Lanka for more than ten years and still don’t have any hope to reach the purpose for which they have left their homes. Some of them have been there for more than seven years but still don’t have refugee status, which means they are not eligible to UNHCR’s support for survival and education for their children.
The imminent ending of the UNHCR operations in Sri
Lanka has led people to fear that they will be forever trapped in transit.
Since Sri Lanka is not party to the Geneva Convention
relating to the Status of Refugees, agreed in 1951,
refugees have no right to legally work while in the
country, and can even be deported if caught working
illegally. While in Sri Lanka, asylum-seekers and
refugees have access to the public health system, and
once recognized as a refugee, UNHCR provides a
monthly living allowance. As part of the allowance,
children also receive funding for school education.
After receiving verbal communication from UNHCR regarding the closure of the Sri Lanka office within the next two years, some of the refugees and asylum-seekers are apprehensive amidst the uncertainty.
The families, facing refusal of their request for resettlement are now anxious that they may have to return to Pakistan to again face persecution and possibly the end of their lives. But staying on in the island country also is not easy, as in December the financial aid will dry up. This includes funding received for children’s school fees, which may disrupt their education.
For the asylum-seekers who have not yet received refugee status from UNHCR, fears are already an everyday reality. This means there is no living allowance for the family, or funding for children to attend school. Many families have sold their belongings and are forced to live like beggars.
Sumaira Faisal, a Christian refugee from Pakistan, who has been waiting in Sri Lanka for more
than seven years, is alarmed at the UNHCR office closing down. “What will happen to us? Who
will accept us?” she asks, fearing the departure of the UNHCR will signal an end to the chances
of fulfilling her wish to find somewhere to settle permanently.