11/15/2018 Myanmar (International Christian Concern) – A recent decision made by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) plans to no longer resettle or designate refugee status for people from Myanmar’s Chin State, according to BNI Multimedia Group.
The two decisions left for Chin refugees are to remain abroad until their refugee cards expire Dec. 31, 2019 before returning home to Myanmar or undergo an interview by UNHCR if the individual feels there is danger in returning home.
The Chin people are majority Christians and face discrimination in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. This has caused Chin refugees and organizations to ask the UNHCR to withdraw their decision, stating that they will continue to face discrimination if they do return.
Some refugees though are eager to return home, fear being arrested at the airport, or unable to acquire ID cards and residential documents. To aid Chin refugees that ask for help in returning home, Yangon-based Chin civil society organizations and the Burmese government have agreed to cooperate in assisting Chin refugees who are scattered across Malaysia and India, through the difficulties of returning home.
For interviews with Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
