Press Release: “Hindu Americans Laud USCIRF for Support of Afghan Hindu Refugees"

December 22, 2005

Source: Hindu American Foundation

http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_afghan_refugees.htm

On December 22, 2005 the Hindu American Foundation reported, "The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) lauded the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) last week for bringing attention to the plight of Afghan Hindu refugees to be immediately and involuntarily deported from Germany to Afghanistan. Similar deportations of Afghan Hindus were considered from the United States earlier this year where HAF provided legal support. The deportations from Germany, however, involve potentially thousands of Hindus. In its statement, the USCIRF took the step of urging the U.S. Refugee Program to prepare for the resettlement of Afghan Hindus in the United States 'in the event that the German government moves ahead with involuntary deportation'... HAF leaders have established an ongoing dialogue with USCIRF analysts and expressed appreciation to the USCIRF for highlighting the issue and for recommending concrete steps in the event that Germany proceeds with threatened deportations. HAF is hopeful that the United States State Department will follow-up its own commission’s recommendations through established diplomatic channels."