Chuni demands Refugee Status for PoJK Displaced on World Refugee Day

JAMMU: As the world marks World Refugee Day on June 20, Rajiv Chuni, Chairman S. O. S. International - An Organization for displaced persons of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), issued an urgent call for justice. Representing over 1.5 million PoJK displaced, Chuni demanded that the Government of India and the UNHCR recognize their refugee status, denied for 78 years, to grant them access to international protections and aid. “While the world celebrates, we are left in limbo, stripped of dignity and rights,” he stated, highlighting a humanitarian crisis that undermines the spirit of World Refugee Day.

Since the 1947 conflict over Jammu and Kashmir, PoJK displaced persons from Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, and Poonch fled, leaving behind homes, lands, and livelihoods. India’s stance that PoJK is its territory classifies them as “displaced persons” rather than refugees, denying them protections under the 1951 Refugee Convention, which India has not signed. This leaves them without UNHCR aid or clear legal status, despite being Indian citizens.

“For 78 years, three generations have endured poverty, living in cramped camps with inadequate land and compensation,” Chuni said. “If we are not responsible for our displacement, why do we suffer?” Chuni urged India to form a commission for fair compensation, leftover land rights, political empowerment and integration, and called on the UNHCR to explore solutions within India’s territorial stance. “Ignoring us mocks human rights,” he said, demanding recognition as refugees.

The PoJK displaced, now over 1.5 million, carry stories of loss and resilience. As World Refugee Day approaches, Chuni’s plea is clear: “This is a moral failing. Act now, or the celebration of human rights rings hollow.” Their struggle demands bold policy and global attention to end an exile that has lasted too long.