Business Standard

Refugees

EU thought it had new migration plan but it may be too little, too late

European Union leaders will use a summit Thursday to seek ways to make the bloc a more hostile destination for migrants and asylum seekers following a recent surge in support for the extreme right, which has fomented opposition to foreigners. As the summit opens in Brussels, the 27 EU leader are looking at plans to speed up initiatives to get unwanted migrants out of the bloc and process asylum applications far outside their borders. The tenor of the debate is a far cry from 2015, less than a decade ago, when the EU was faced with a migration crisis. Well over a million migrants and refugees sought help then, mainly from the Middle East and Afghanistan. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the EU's dominant national leader at the time, famously said, We can manage that. Now, EU leaders want to manage and seal off their borders ever more tightly, embracing initiatives that would have looked unacceptable only a few years ago. In recent weeks, Poland has said it wants to temporarily suspe

EU thought it had new migration plan but it may be too little, too late
Updated On : 17 Oct 2024 | 12:11 PM IST

Refugees denied citizenship rights due to appeasement policy of Cong: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said a large number refugees were denied citizenship rights in the country due to the appeasement policy of past governments led by the Congress and its allies. Addressing a gathering in Ahmedabad after handing over citizenship certificates to 188 Hindu refugees in Gujarat, Shah said the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) is about giving rights and justice to lakhs of refugees. He also assured Muslims that there is no provision in the CAA to take away anyone's citizenship, as it is about granting citizenship. The past governments allowed crores of intruders into the country and made them citizens illegally, he said. At the same time, they denied citizenship to those who followed the law and applied for the same by saying there was no legal provision for it, Shah said. "Because of the policy of appeasement of past governments run by the Congress and its allies, those who came to the country for refuge did not get rights and justice," the minis

Refugees denied citizenship rights due to appeasement policy of Cong: Shah
Updated On : 18 Aug 2024 | 2:52 PM IST

Reinforcing bamboo fence: Meghalaya villagers on edge after B'desh unrest

From reinforcing a bamboo fence separating them from Bangladeshis to staying up all night for vigil, residents of a Meghalaya village located metres from the international border are on the edge fearing influx of people from the other side after unrest that overthrew the Sheikh Hasina government. The 90-odd residents of Lyngkhong village in East Khasi Hills district had erected a rag-tag bamboo fence along the border during the COVID pandemic to prevent petty crimes from across the border. Lyngkhong is one of several sectors in Meghalaya where border fence could not be constructed due to land demarcation issues and the presence of habitation within 150 yards of the international border pillar or zero line. A quick tour of the village revealed that most of the houses were located very close to the international border, while the only football ground is situated on the zero line, with children playing under the watchful eyes of the BSF at all times. Although Lyngkhong has not ...

Reinforcing bamboo fence: Meghalaya villagers on edge after B'desh unrest
Updated On : 11 Aug 2024 | 1:05 PM IST

India releases first tranche of $2.5 mn to UN for Palestinian refugees

The Indian government has released the first tranche of USD 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as part of its annual contribution of USD 5 million for the year 2024-25, the Representative Office of India here said on Monday. The UNRWA, which has carried out direct relief and works programmes for registered Palestinian refugees since 1950, is making efforts to keep up its functioning in the middle of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The Representative Office of India in Ramallah in its statement on X said: "The Government of India released the first tranche of USD 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), as part of its annual contribution of USD 5 million for the year 2024-25." Over the years, in its endeavour to support the Palestinian refugees and their welfare, India has provided financial support to the tune of USD 35 million till 2023-24 for t

India releases first tranche of $2.5 mn to UN for Palestinian refugees
Updated On : 15 Jul 2024 | 11:05 PM IST

'Cannot push back Bangladeshi refugees', Mizoram CM Lalduhoma tells PM Modi

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Saturday urged the Centre to understand the position of Mizoram in giving shelter to refugees from neighbouring Bangladesh, an official statement said. An official of the state home department said that nearly 2,000 Zo ethnic people from Bangladesh have taken refuge in Mizoram since 2022. During a brief meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Lalduhoma informed him that his government could not push back or deport Zo ethnic people from Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), the statement said. He informed the Prime Minister that many people belonging to the Bawm tribe, one of the ethnic Mizo tribes, from Bangladesh have been taking shelter in Mizoram since 2022, and many of them are still trying to enter the state. They started entering Mizoram in November 2022 following a military offensive by the Bangladeshi army against the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA), an ethnic insurgent group fighting for a separate state. The two lead

'Cannot push back Bangladeshi refugees', Mizoram CM Lalduhoma tells PM Modi
Updated On : 06 Jul 2024 | 11:42 PM IST

Africa land routes twice as deadly for migrants as the Mediterranean: UN

The United Nations and partners say more migrants and refugees in Africa are heading northward toward the Mediterranean and Europe, crossing perilous routes in the Sahara where criminal gangs subject them to enslavement, organ removal, rape, kidnapping for ransom and other abuses. A report released on Friday by the UN refugee and migration agencies and the Mixed Migration Centre research group estimated that land routes in Africa are twice as deadly as the sea lanes across the Mediterranean which is the deadliest maritime route for migrants in the world. The report said new conflict and instability in countries including Mali, Burkina Faso and Sudan have been behind a rise in the number of journeys toward the Mediterranean. But Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Guinea were the top countries of origin of migrants. It comes as many politicians in Europe and beyond, in an important election year, have fanned or drawn support from anti-immigrant sentiment. But conflict, economic strife, ...

Africa land routes twice as deadly for migrants as the Mediterranean: UN
Updated On : 05 Jul 2024 | 10:48 AM IST

Mizoram govt yet to initiate biometric enrollment for Myanmar refugees

The Mizoram government is waiting for instruction from the Centre to initiate biometric enrollment for over 33,000 Myanmar refugees in the northeastern state, a home department official said. The official said that a new biometric enrollment portal has already been prepared. "We are waiting for an instruction from the Centre. We will start the process of collecting biometric data of Myanmar nationals once we receive the instruction," the official told PTI. Earlier, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma had said that biometric enrollment portal has been in place for collection of the data and it will be utilised in near future. In April last year, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had directed Mizoram and Manipur, which share borders with Myanmar, to capture the biometric and biographic details of "illegal immigrants" in their states. In June last year, it directed the states that the campaign be completed by the end of September and directed both to prepare a plan and initiate the ...

Mizoram govt yet to initiate biometric enrollment for Myanmar refugees
Updated On : 19 Jun 2024 | 11:57 AM IST

14 mn flee homes as nations fail to tackle conflict causes: UN official

The number of people fleeing their homes because of war, violence and persecution has reached 114 million and is climbing because nations have failed to tackle the causes and combatants are refusing to comply with international law, the UN refugee chief said Thursday. In a hard-hitting speech, Filippo Grandi criticized the UN Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, for failing to use its voice to try to resolve conflicts from Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan to Congo, Myanmar and many other places. He also accused unnamed countries of making short-sighted foreign policy decisions, often founded on double standards, with lip service paid to compliance with the law, but little muscle flexed from the council to actually uphold it and with it peace and security. Grandi said non-compliance with international humanitarian law means that parties to conflicts increasingly everywhere, almost all of them have stopped respecting the laws of war, though

14 mn flee homes as nations fail to tackle conflict causes: UN official
Updated On : 31 May 2024 | 1:37 PM IST

No talks with Centre on relocating Chakma, Hajong refugees in state: CM

The central government has not discussed anything over the relocation of Chakma and Hajong refugess in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed on Tuesday. His statement comes following Union minister Kiren Rijiju's remarks that there has been talks to relocate these refugees from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam after the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). "I don't know what Rijiju has said, but the government of India has not discussed these matters with us. Rijiju might have perhaps said something in view of the political situation in Arunachal Pradesh," Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of a poll campaign meeting. The CM also maintained that there is no land available to re-settle the refugees and added, "No one from Chakma or Hajong communities has met me nor has the government of India discussed it with me. I will speak with Rijiju about the matter after the elections." Sarma said Assamese people residing in Arunachal Pradesh, numbering about ...

No talks with Centre on relocating Chakma, Hajong refugees in state: CM
Updated On : 23 Apr 2024 | 3:03 PM IST

Pak Hindu refugees in Jodhpur celebrate as govt notifies CAA implementation

"This is like real Ram Rajya for us," said a Hindu migrant from Pakistan residing here as celebrations broke out after the Centre implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, four years after the contentious law was passed by Parliament. In the settlements of Hindu migrants from Pakistan, the residents lit lamps and burst firecrackers on Monday night soon after the rules to fast-track citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014, were unveiled. "We had been waiting for this for long. With this (CAA) becoming a reality, many those in line for citizenship can hope to become Indian nationals soon," said Dinesh Bheel, a Hindu migrant from Pakistan. Expressing delight over the development, another migrant Perumal said this would pave the way for citizenship and help the distraught migrants in leading a better life. "We can get citizenship after six years of residing in India. This will help lots of

Pak Hindu refugees in Jodhpur celebrate as govt notifies CAA implementation
Updated On : 12 Mar 2024 | 5:46 PM IST

CAA enables refugees persecuted for religion to get Indian citizenship: VHP

The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Monday welcomed the Centre notifying the Citizenship (Amendment) Act rules and said it has paved the way for refugees "persecuted" on the basis of their religion in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to obtain Indian citizenship. Alok Kumar, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief, in a statement also called on the workers of the organisation and other social groups to provide all possible help to such refugees to complete the formalities of applying for Indian citizenship at the earliest. The Centre on Monday announced implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, paving the way for granting citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. The rules were notified days ahead of the expected announcement of the Lok Sabha elections. With this, the Narendra Modi government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants -- Hindu

CAA enables refugees persecuted for religion to get Indian citizenship: VHP
Updated On : 12 Mar 2024 | 10:30 AM IST

Mizoram not to collect biometric data of Myanmar, B'desh refugees, says CM

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Thursday said his government would not collect biometric details of Myanmar and Bangladesh refugees. The chief minister said the Centre is currently providing assistance to the state government to provide relief to refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh and internally displaced people (IDP) from Manipur, who are taking shelter in the state. Lalduhoma informed the assembly on Thursday that the Ministry of Home Affairs had directed the state government to collect biometric data of Myanmar and Bangladesh refugees in April last year. Although the previous Mizo National Front (MNF) government had initially processed the initiative towards the Centre direction by conducting training and appointing nodal officers, the Council of Ministers in its meeting held in September last year decided not to conduct biometric and biographic enrollment for Myanmar and Bangladesh refugees citing it is not advisable to undertake biometric and biographic preparation due to

Mizoram not to collect biometric data of Myanmar, B'desh refugees, says CM
Updated On : 29 Feb 2024 | 2:58 PM IST

United Nations seeks $4.2 bn to help people in Ukraine, refugees this year

The United Nations appealed on Monday for USD 4.2 billion to help people in Ukraine and displaced outside the country this year, saying that people on the front lines have exhausted their meagre resources and many refugees also are vulnerable. About three-quarters of the total, USD 3.1 billion, is meant to support some 8.5 million people inside Ukraine. The remaining USD 1.1 billion is sought for refugees and host communities outside Ukraine. A recent wave of attacks underscores the devastating civilian cost of the war and a bitter winter is increasing the need for humanitarian aid, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the UN refugee agency said in a statement from Geneva. In front-line towns and villages, people have exhausted their meagre resources and rely on aid to survive, it said. Ukraine has been subjected to massive Russian barrages recently. More than 500 drones and missiles were fired between December 29 and January 2, according to officials in .

United Nations seeks $4.2 bn to help people in Ukraine, refugees this year
Updated On : 15 Jan 2024 | 10:59 PM IST

UN seeks $4.2 billion to help people in Ukraine, refugees this year

The United Nations appealed on Monday for USD 4.2 billion to help people in Ukraine and displaced outside the country this year, saying that people on the front lines have exhausted their meagre resources and many refugees also are vulnerable. About three-quarters of the total, USD 3.1 billion, is meant to support some 8.5 million people inside Ukraine. The remaining USD 1.1 billion is sought for refugees and host communities outside Ukraine. A recent wave of attacks underscores the devastating civilian cost of the war and a bitter winter is increasing the need for humanitarian aid, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the UN refugee agency said in a statement from Geneva. In front-line towns and villages, people have exhausted their meagre resources and rely on aid to survive, it said. Ukraine has been subjected to massive Russian barrages recently. More than 500 drones and missiles were fired between December 29 and January 2, according to officials in .

UN seeks $4.2 billion to help people in Ukraine, refugees this year
Updated On : 15 Jan 2024 | 2:34 PM IST

350,000 people applied for asylum in Germany in 2023, up 51% in 1 year

The number of people applying for asylum in Germany last year rose to 3,51,915, an increase of 51.1 per cent compared with the year before. The largest number of asylum-seekers came from Syria, with 1,04,561 applications, followed by Turkish citizens with 62,624 asylum pleas and 53,582 Afghans, Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees said Monday. Migration has become a huge political problem for the government and a hot-button topic in Germany as local communities are struggling to house the many newcomers. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who faces enormous pressure from the opposition and elsewhere to halt the trend, has said that too many are coming. Late last year, Scholz and the 16 state governors agreed on new and stricter measures to curb the high number of migrants flowing into the country, reaching a compromise that included speeding up asylum procedures, benefit restrictions for asylum-seekers and more financial aid from the federal government for the states and

350,000 people applied for asylum in Germany in 2023, up 51% in 1 year
Updated On : 08 Jan 2024 | 6:29 PM IST

Mizoram will continue to provide assistance to refugees from Myanmar: CM

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Saturday said his government would continue providing assistance to refugees from Myanmar and internally displaced people from Manipur, with support from the Centre. Lalduhoma made the comments at a press conference here upon his return from Delhi. "Even though the Centre can't accord refugee status to the Myanmar nationals, it is ready to collaborate with us in providing relief to them. People from Manipur, who fled their homes due to ethnic violence, will also be looked after with help of the central government," he said. According to officials, more than 31,000 individuals belonging to the Chin community from Myanmar have sought shelter in Mizoram since February 2021, following a military coup in their home country. Over 9,000 internally displaced people from Manipur have also taken refuge in the state. The Chin community from Myanmar and ethnic Kuki-Zo community from Manipur share ethnic ties with the Mizos. Union Home Minister Amit Shah ha

Mizoram will continue to provide assistance to refugees from Myanmar: CM
Updated On : 07 Jan 2024 | 6:43 AM IST

Displaced, crossing borders: Afghan people make tough journeys to survive

The barren desert plain among the mountains of eastern Afghanistan is filled with hundreds of thousands of people. Some live in tents. Others live out in the open, among the piles of the few belongings they managed to take as they were forced from neighbouring Pakistan. The sprawling camp of people returning to Afghanistan through the Torkham border crossing is the latest facet of Afghans' long, painful search for a stable home. More than 40 years of war, violence and poverty in Afghanistan have created one of the world's most uprooted populations. Some 6 million Afghans are refugees outside the country. Another 3.5 million people are displaced within the country of 40 million, driven from their homes by war, earthquakes, drought or resources that are being depleted. Over the course of months, an Associated Press photographer travelled across Afghanistan from its eastern border with Pakistan to its western border with Iran, getting to know displaced people and returned refuges and

Displaced, crossing borders: Afghan people make tough journeys to survive
Updated On : 31 Dec 2023 | 12:39 PM IST

UN agency warns of Afghans dying in winter if they don't get proper shelter

The UN refugee agency has warned that Afghans could die in harsh winter conditions if they don't get adequate shelter once they cross the border from Pakistan. Almost half a million Afghans have left Pakistan since early October, when the Islamabad government announced it would arrest and deport foreigners it said were in the country illegally. The overwhelming majority of them are from neighboring Afghanistan, though Islamabad insists the policy doesn't target a specific nationality. The forced returns are piling pressure on Afghanistan and aid agencies, which are providing the bulk of essential services like health care. Freezing temperatures are setting in and conditions at the border remain dire. Many Afghan returnees are vulnerable, including women and children, who could lose their lives in a harsh winter if left without adequate shelter, the U.N. refugee agency said in a report published Friday. People arriving at the border are exhausted and require urgent assistance as well

UN agency warns of Afghans dying in winter if they don't get proper shelter
Updated On : 11 Dec 2023 | 7:05 AM IST

Canada stricts measures for int'l students, financial requirements raised

The changes, set to take effect from January 1, 2024, include a substantial increase in the cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants

Canada stricts measures for int'l students, financial requirements raised
Updated On : 08 Dec 2023 | 9:03 AM IST

Pakistan carried out 'widespread abuses' against Afghan refugees: Report

"Pakistani officials have created a coercive environment for Afghans to force them to return to life-threatening conditions in Afghanistan," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch

Pakistan carried out 'widespread abuses' against Afghan refugees: Report
Updated On : 29 Nov 2023 | 12:00 PM IST