UN High Conmmissioner for Refugee visits NHRC

New Delhi, Dec 27 (UNI) United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees Dr Antonio Guterres today called on the acting chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission Justice Shivaraj V Patil.

Justice Patil briefed the visiting dignitaries on the 13 years of working of the commission, pointing out that India had been providing shelter to many refugees displaced from their countries.

The meeting was attended by members Justice Y Bhaskar Rao, R S Kalha, P C Sharma, Joint Secretary Aruna Sharma and Chief Coordinator (Trg) P M V Siromany.

Dr Patil said the commission felt the need for a national legislation to deal with the problem of refugees in India and has given a recommendation in this regard to the Government, which it had accepted in principle.

On his part, Dr Guterres praised the Indian Government's generosity in granting protection to a large number of refugees.

Supporting the idea of a solid national legislation, he said the UNHCR would extend all cooperation for such a legislation.

Dr Guterres was accompanied by a delegation consisting of Director of Asia Pacific Bureau of UNHCR Janet Lime and senior legal office of UNHCR Carol Bachelor.

UNI AR SHB KN1950