(a) whether a large number of Ethnic Indians in Fiji are living in Sanctuary camps;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether they have been given refugee status;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor; and
(e) the assistance being extended to them by the Indian Government?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA)
a) About 200 persons are living in a camp in Lautoka at present.
b) At the height of the disturbances in May and June this year, about 400 Indo-Fijians had shifted to this camp after they were terrorised, looted and their houses burnt in the strong-hold areas of the supporters of the coup leader George Speight. About half of these people have since returned to their homes.
c & d) No Sir. They do not meet international criteria for refugee status.
e) Since they have not been given refugee status, any assistance would amount to interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign country. In view of above, the question of assistance being provided by GOI does not arise.