Context
On June 20, World Refugee Day, we honour the amazing bravery and tenacity of the 103 million people who have been forcibly displaced due to conflicts around the world. There are innumerable human stories of loss and dashed hopes hidden under the startling statistics.
Relevance:
GS Paper 2 : International Relations – Refugees
Mains Question
Examine how different parties, such as the public and corporate sectors, NGOs, and community-based organisations, contribute to the support of refugees. How can international cooperation be improved to create long-term solutions for displaced populations like resettlement and safe returns? (250 Words)
The Problem of Internal Migration in South and Southeast Asia
- Significant issues with relocation also exist in South and Southeast Asia.
- Numerous people have been displaced from their homes in the area as a result of ongoing conflicts in the Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Somalia.
The Generous Hospitality of India
India, which is a generous host and advocate for refugees and asylum seekers, has over 250,000 forcibly displaced people living there.The nation’s long history of accepting refugees is evidence of our common humanity.
Instead of receiving aid, refugees seek opportunities
- Refugee youth prefer opportunities to handouts and seek out chances instead.
- Many other instances exist where refugee youth have shown resiliency and talent when given the right opportunities, such as various, stateless Rohingya women pursuing a career as an artist-designer.
- Many other examples exist where refugee youth have demonstrated talent when given the right opportunities.
Taking Down Barriers to Inclusion
It is our responsibility to remove these barriers and ensure equal opportunities for refugees in employment, education, housing, and healthcare. Refugees and asylum seekers face a variety of obstacles, including challenges obtaining legal recognition and government-issued documents, which limit their access to essential services like financial support and healthcare.
Sustainable development and youth participation
- We must engage and incorporate refugee youth while taking into account their particular needs in order to build an inclusive society. By including them in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda, we can make sure that no one is left behind.
- The Global Compact on Refugees places emphasis on the urgent need for group action to address the displacement situation.
- It acknowledges that aiding the forcibly displaced, particularly in the Global South, is the responsibility of governments, people, the commercial sector, NGOs, and community-based organisations.
Taking Advantage of Potential and Opening Up New Doors
Unlocking the potential of refugees and their host communities and upholding our obligations to them will help create a world where opportunities and hope are abundant.
What is India’s current legal framework for handling refugees?
- The Foreigners Act of 1946 gives the central government the authority to apprehend and expel foreign people who are living illegally.
- The Passport (Entry into India) Act of 1920 allows for the forcible removal of an illegitimate foreigner in accordance with Article 258(1) of the Indian Constitution.
- The Citizenship Act of 1955, which included measures for citizenship renunciation, termination, and deprivation.
- The 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) aims to award citizenship only to immigrants who were persecuted by Hindu, Christian, Jain, Parsi, Sikh, and Buddhist groups in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Important Fact
- The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, the two most important legal agreements relating to refugee protection, are not parties to India.
- However, India has a fantastic track record when it comes to protecting refugees. India has a moral legacy of integrating immigrants’ cultures.
Conclusion
In recognition of the courage, steadfast hope, and untapped potential of refugees and displaced people, let’s confirm our commitment to supporting them on this World Refugee Day. We can have a long-lasting effect by removing obstacles, opening doors to worthwhile opportunities, and restoring people’s feeling of dignity. Making sure that no one is left behind is our shared responsibility
