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Tamil refugees plead with UNHCR not to be taken back to Sri Lanka

 

Following a rescue by Singaporean authorities, over 300 Tamil refugees residing in Vietnam are pleading with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to not be returned to Sri Lanka and instead resettled to a third country as a refugee.

“We are pleading with UNHCR and in this very difficult situation, we request you to take us seriously and help us to resettle in countries with refugee status. We are waiting for your reply and kindly and humbly request you to extend us a helping hand” a statement from the refugees read.

305 Tamil refugees, including an estimated 30 children, are currently stationed in 3 camps and are in communication with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). They were rescued by Singaporean authorities as the vessel they took to flee Sri Lanka began to sink.

Tamil refugees took to chanting "we want the UN", demanding that their plight be heard.

 

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