World Refugee Day 2004: India

A roundtable on the theme "A Place to Call Home" was organised at the India International Centre for Refugees. The three durable solutions for refugees and their applicability to those in India were discussed in detail. The sessions on Myanmar and Bhutan were chaired by a representative of the National Human Rights Commission. Speakers included eminent academics and representatives from the refugee community. Sixty-five people attended the roundtable and among the audience were scholars, members of policy institutes, diplomats, media and an official from the Ministry of External Affairs.

On June 19 and 21, UNHCR and its partner agencies organised cultural events including concerts, dance and plays, which were well attended by the refugee community. About 60 people, mostly ethnic Afghan refugees, attended the event at the Socio-Legal Implementing Centre (SLIC), which included a screening of a documentary on the Myanmar refugee camps in Mizoram.

On June 21, almost 300 refugees attended each event organised by YMCA New Delhi at Vikaspuri and Voluntary Health Association Delhi (VHAD) in South Delhi. VHAD organized a medical camp and an eye camp for refugees. Events were also organised in Faridabad and Laxmi Nagar.

Refugee associations such as the All Burmese Refugee Community and the Khalsa Diwan Welfare Society (for Indian Origin Afghans) celebrated World Refugee Day. In both places, some 200 refugees participated.