More recognition to Chin refugees after US waiver
May 16, 2007: More recognition is being given to Chin people as refugees by the UNHCR in Malaysia after the US government signed a waiver to exempt Chin refugees from India, Thailand and Malaysia from the provisions of the US Patriot Act that had restricted resettlement in US on October 2006.
There are 50,000 to 60,000 Burmese in Malaysia. Among them, 7,000 are recognized as refugees and of them 5,000 are Chin refugees. It is now easier to go as refuge to America, according to Salai San from Chin Refugees Committee in Malaysia.
"Not in groups but singly some are going to America from Malaysia under the resettlement programme," a Chin refugee in Malaysia said.
While it has not been mentioned how many refugees will be allowed to resettle in America, but signing a waiver has apparently increased the number of refugees to be allowed to move to USA than was done earlier.
There are over 1,000 Chin refugees staying in the USA. The population of Chins in the USA has gone up ever since the military grabbed power in1988.
The Chin National Front (CNF) welcomed the US government's move on the waiver to Chin refugees from the provisions of the US Patriot Act that banned the entry of Chin refugees in USA for alleged material support to the CNF. – KNG.
