With a broken heart, I am writing these lines. Thinking about a person who has been declared as a bonafide refugee by the UN High Commission on Refugees in Malaysia, but this Muslim journalist of Pakistani origin is still struggling to resettle. Losing nine precious years of his youth, this journalist is in the hope of starting a fresh life. The case of this journalist from Peshawar, Pakistan, has been forwarded to Resettlement Support Centre (RSC) by UNHCR Malaysia and was further sent to the US Refugees Admission Program (USRAP), but even after a lapse of three-and-half-years, this poor soul has yet to receive any tangible reply from these offices. In the hope of a reply, this journalist has not even started his matrimonial life.
Interestingly, hundreds declared as refugees in Malaysia and Thailand, have been resettled in the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and other European countries, who were far junior to him by case, but only this journalist has been left at a lurch at this critical juncture of his life. There seems a clear-cut violation of his rights by USRAP but who to blame for it. This journalist has now been facing different psychological issues, despite many reminders sent to UNHCR, USRAP, RSC, Department of Homeland Security, International Rescue Committee and different humanitarian and journalist bodies.
He has not received any positive response from any quarter. All have turned a deaf ear to his appeal. The case of this refugee journalist has been highlighted by Malaysian media on a number of occasions but in vain. According to him, not deciding a settlement matter for over three years shows some sort of vendetta against him. He even sent many applications to the US Ambassador at Kuala Lumpur, Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, but still, he has to wait for their official response.
He asked whether he was being punished for being a Muslim or someone was enjoying the pleasure of my miserable condition. Are there any complications in my case or is it some big UFO mystery, which is not being solved by the US authorities? According to him, he has lost faith in all those countries and organisations who always championed the cause of human rights. They are limited to lip-service instead of taking practical steps. There seems to be a bias in my case.
This journalist has now been facing different psychological issues, despite many reminders sent to UNHCR, USRAP, RSC, Department of Homeland Security, International Rescue Committee and different humanitarian and journalist bodies
This journalist showed his dismay as he did not desire to get resettlement in a foreign country, but going back to his native country is nothing less than committing suicide. He was compelled to flee as life was getting miserable in his homeland.
Getting resettled in a foreign country was the only option left to him. Whenever he approached the UNHCR authorities, they showed him cases older than his case, but when asked about cases far junior to him, there remained complete silence.
All so-called international organisations, like Human Rights Watch, Refugees Council, international refugees organisation, Help Refugees, Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, Refugees Action, Committee to Protect Journalists, International Federation for Journalists and Reporters Without Borders are active only on Twitter. These organisations hold seminars in five-star hotels, where participants leave after having lavish meals with zero output. They are happy by issuing press statements, instead of some formidable action.
In utter despair, this journalist said would I have to wait for death to end my problems, as my fingers are jammed after writing excessive appeals to these world organisations. Would a homeless and helpless journalist have to offer his life as a price for writing truth against the powerful cartels and mafias in his native country? Will he never be allowed to lead a peaceful and respectable life? It’s a big question mark for USRAP, UNHCR, IRC, IOM and other international organisations.
The writer is a former academician, financial expert and adviser to renowned multinational companies