Kathmandu, JUNE 20, SPA -- The Nepalese government policy on refugees hasput the status of hundreds of people in confusion, prompting theUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to call forproper legislation, REPORTED DPA. The difference of opinion centres on about 400 people who areclassified as "urban refugees" by the UNHCR but not recognized by theNepalese government. The issue has led to the Nepalese government accusing the UNHCR ofgiving refugee status to people without its consent. "The UNHCR should not issue refugee and asylum seeker certificatesunilaterally," Home Ministry spokesman Baman Prasad Neupane said. He further warned that those people taking shelter under theUNHCR's "urban refugee programme" would be treated as illegalimmigrants. He said Nepal is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention nordoes it have refugee laws. However, the UNHCR said the UN General Assembly has mandated therefugee body to provide protection and assistance to anyone who fleesthe country of origin out of fear of persecution or conflict. The UN refugee body's Nepal representative, Abraham Abraham, said,"Nepal must distinguish between refugees and migrants or travelers." He also called for Nepal to become a signatory to the protocol orformulate laws on the treatment of refugees. "There are people who arrived here whom we cannot put in limbobecause we do have an obligation under the mandate to provideprotection to these individuals," Abraham said.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/460679