The human rights body urges recognition of their refugee status and protection under international law
MUMBAI – In a strong appeal ahead of Friday’s World Refugee Day (20 June), Amnesty International has demanded an immediate halt to the illegal deportation of Rohingya refugees from India. The rights organisation stressed the urgent need for the Indian government to recognise these displaced individuals as refugees deserving of protection and dignity under international human rights law.
The Rohingya community, primarily Muslim and persecuted in their homeland of Myanmar, has sought safety in India for years. However, recent actions by Indian authorities have caused deep concern among human rights advocates and the refugees themselves.
Last month, at least 40 Rohingya refugees — including vulnerable children and elderly people — were reportedly forced off a ship in an incident that Amnesty International described as “inhumane and illegal”. Authorities allegedly handed life jackets to the refugees and dumped them in international waters close to Myanmar’s coast, leaving them to fend for their lives. In a separate case, over 100 Rohingya refugees were reportedly forced across the border into Bangladesh, despite their precarious status and desperate need for asylum.
Akar Patel, head of Amnesty International India, condemned these actions in no uncertain terms. “India has long been a haven for those fleeing persecution,” he said. “But the recent behaviour of the Indian government — including the alleged dumping of Rohingya refugees into the sea and the forced deportation of refugees — has left them helpless and betrayed. When these refugees remember how we treated them, what will they think of the people whose doorsteps they came knocking on for protection? We have disgraced and expelled those in need,” he added.
The plight of Rohingya refugees in India is one marked by fear and uncertainty. Many live under constant threat of deportation despite holding valid refugee cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). One Rohingya refugee, speaking anonymously due to fear of reprisals, told Amnesty International, “We live in constant fear of deportation. Even though we have UNHCR refugee cards, the Indian government treats us like criminals.”
This fear is compounded by a lack of legal protection within India, which does not have a formal refugee law. Rohingya refugees face harassment, detention, and uncertainty about their future. In May this year, two Rohingya refugees petitioned the Supreme Court of India, seeking urgent intervention to stop their deportation. The court, however, rejected the plea, leaving the refugees vulnerable.
India’s approach to the Rohingya crisis has drawn criticism from human rights groups and Muslim communities across the country. The treatment of Rohingya refugees, many of whom fled violence and genocide in Myanmar, is seen as inconsistent with India’s tradition of offering refuge to the persecuted.
Local Muslim leaders and activists have also voiced their concern. Maulana Abdul Razzaq, a prominent community leader in Mumbai, said, “Our Indian Muslim brothers and sisters, including the Rohingya, deserve to live with dignity and safety. The government must stop these illegal deportations immediately. Forcing innocent people into danger is unacceptable and against our values of justice and humanity.”
The Rohingya in India often face discrimination and exclusion, yet they continue to seek safety and peace. Many are unable to access basic services such as education, healthcare, and legal support. The ongoing deportations exacerbate their vulnerable situation, pushing them back towards countries where their safety cannot be guaranteed.
Human rights experts emphasise that the forcible deportation of refugees violates international law, including the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning refugees to countries where they face threats to their life or freedom.
Amnesty International India’s call on World Refugee Day highlights the urgent need for India to reconsider its treatment of Rohingya refugees and uphold its international human rights commitments. The organisation urges the government to provide legal recognition to Rohingya refugees and grant them protection, allowing them to rebuild their lives without fear.
“Every refugee deserves respect and protection,” said Akar Patel. “India must live up to its historic role as a refuge for the persecuted and stop these cruel and illegal deportations,” he said.
