India Must Halt Deportations of Rohingya Refugees

India's recent actions of deporting Rohingya refugees, forcing them into the Andaman Sea, and abandoning them with life jackets, have sparked outrage from human rights groups. Amnesty International has called on the Indian government to immediately halt all deportations, recognize the Rohingya as refugees, and treat them with dignity and protection under international human rights law.

The Indian government has detained and deported at least 40 Rohingya refugees in the last month, including children and older people, allegedly forcing them off a naval ship and abandoning them in international waters near Myanmar. In a separate incident, over 100 Rohingya refugees were forced across the border into Bangladesh. The government has also claimed that it does not recognize the UNHCR-issued refugee cards and that India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, which has led to concerns about the Rohingya's situation.

Key Takeaways:

• At least 40 Rohingya refugees, including children and older people, have been deported by the Indian government in the last month, allegedly being forced off a naval ship and abandoned in international waters near Myanmar.
• Over 100 Rohingya refugees have been forced across the border into Bangladesh, reportedly without being granted access to any formal legal process or asylum review.
• The Indian government has claimed that it does not recognize the UNHCR-issued refugee cards and that India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.
• The Supreme Court of India has ruled that only Indian citizens have the constitutional right to reside in the country, leaving Rohingya refugees without protection.
• Amnesty International has urged the Indian government to uphold its legal obligations under international law and halt all deportations of Rohingya refugees at once.
• The Indian government has been accused of violating the principle of 'non-refoulement' in customary international law, which prohibits the return of people to places where they would face serious human rights violations or abuses.
• Tens of thousands of Rohingya in Bangladesh camps face problems accessing essentials such as food, shelter, and medical care, further aggravated by recent aid cuts.

Statistics:

• At least 40 Rohingya refugees have been deported by the Indian government in the last month.
• Over 100 Rohingya refugees have been forced across the border into Bangladesh.
• 10s of thousands of Rohingya in Bangladesh camps face problems accessing essentials such as food, shelter, and medical care.
• Recent aid cuts have further worsened the situation for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
• India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.

Sources:

• Amnesty International's statement on the Indian government's deportation of Rohingya refugees (undated)
• A relative of a Rohingya refugee speaking to Amnesty International (undated)
• A Rohingya refugee based in India speaking to Amnesty International (undated)
• Indian government's statement to the Supreme Court on the non-recognition of UNHCR-issued refugee cards (8 May)
• Supreme Court of India's ruling on the Rohingya refugees' situation (8 May)
• Amnesty International's report on the situation of Rohingya refugees in India (undated)