Bangladesh: Follow-up to BGD31510.E of 14 April 1999 on UNHCR operations in Dhaka between February 1995 and September 1996, including average processing times and acceptance claims for refugees, in particular Iraqi Kurds

The following information on UNHCR operations in Dhaka between February 1995 and September 1996, including average processing times and acceptance claims for refugees, in particular Iraqi Kurds, was obtained from UNHCR-Bangladesh and forwarded to the Research Directorate via UNHCR-Ottawa on 6 May 1999, and is quoted in full:

1. UNHCR's major operation in Bangladesh during the a/m period was assistance to and the voluntary repatriation of Rohingya Muslim refugees to Myanmar [Burma]. Please note that on 1 Feb '95 the refugee population in the camps in south-eastern Bangladesh was 98,068 and on 30 Sept. '96 it was 38,138. During the period a total number of 52,984 refugees repatriated to Myanmar from Bangladesh.

2. UNHCR also provided protection and assistance to urban refugees (non-Rohingya) in Dhaka through an implementing partner named Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) which has a special unit known as Refugee Counselling Service Unit (RCSU) for looking after the refugees.

3. Between 1 February 1995 to 30 September 1996, RCSU dealt with a UNHCR recognized refugee population numbering between 160 to 180. Among them only 3 were of Iraqi origin, one of whom was a Kurd (married to a non-Kurd female refugee). He was recognized prior to February 1995 and was resettled to Canada on 9 April 1996.

4. During the a/m period 28 asylum-seekers approached RCSU, and among them only 6 were of Iraqi origin-3 of whom were irregular movers from Pakistan and Jordan, while the other 3 did not show up after their first intake interview. As per our record non of them were Kurdish.

5. Among the 28 asylum-seekers mentioned above 14 did not show up for the refugee eligibility interview, 1 Myanmarese Rohingya was advised to report to the camps in Cox's Bazar, 3 were irregular movers and the remaining 10 persons [2 Somali, 1 Algerian, 1 Bhutanese, 1 Indian, 3 Afghans (1 family), 1 Sudanese, 1 Myanmarese], all of whom underwent the refugee eligibility interview, were rejected.

6. The average processing time for first instance eligibility determination during the period in question varied from 2 to 4 weeks. The processing includes:

i.          Preliminary interview by RCSU regarding the purpose of IC's [individual case] visit;

ii.         Filling in the Eligibility Determination Form with the aid of RCSU and interpreter, if               necessary;

iii.        Eligibility interview by UNHCR Protection Officer;

iv.        Obtaining/verification of country of origin information, if necessary;

v.         Assessment and Recommendation by Protection Officer to UNHCR's      Representative;

vi.        Representative's decision;

vii.       Informing IC about decision;

viii.      If rejected, provision for submission of a written appeal application within 1 month.

The processing time during the period in question was short mainly because no country of origin research and verification was necessary. Please note that in case where such research is required the processing time can take several months. Other factors which usually prolong the procedures include a second or third eligibility interview as well as advice from HQ [Head Quarters] in complicated cases.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference

UNHCR-Bangladesh. 6 May 1999. Letter faxed to the Research Directorate via UNHCR-Ottawa.