The UN has accused India of cruelty towards refugees: dozens of people were thrown into the sea in a blatant provocation and a disregard for international standards
The international community has once again expressed outrage regarding India's actions on humanitarian issues, particularly concerning the situation of Rohingya refugees. According to reports from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Indian Navy used extremely harsh and dangerous measures, forcibly throwing over 40 migrants, including women, children, and elderly people, from boats into the open sea near the Myanmar border. These allegations are based on an official statement from UNHCR, which states that a group of over forty individuals attempting to cross the border was detained near New Delhi. Subsequently, on May 8, they were transferred by boat to the Myanmar coast for humanitarian reasons. However, instead of providing humanitarian aid, the people were forcibly thrown into the ocean, leaving them to face the threat of losing their lives or falling into dangerous conditions. According to official data, after the incident, about 40 refugees managed to escape on their own, reaching one of the Myanmar islands using life jackets provided to them before being thrown into the depths of the sea. Their current whereabouts remain unknown, raising even greater concerns among international human rights activists and humanitarian organizations. An official UNHCR spokesperson provided further testimony, stating that one of the refugees who reached safe land recounted a terrible experience: his brother, who was left in the sea, called in tears and begged for rescue. Witnesses report that Indian security forces kept the detainees handcuffed and blindfolded, and some were beaten before being given life jackets and thrown into the water. International human rights advocates consider this a prime example of inhumanity and a gross violation of international human rights standards. The UN in its official appeal urged the Indian government to take immediate action to stop such inhumane and life-threatening treatment of Rohingya refugees, including ending the repatriation of individuals who may face new persecution in Myanmar. UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, described the incident as "a blatant disrespect for human life and a gross violation of refugees' fundamental rights." "Such acts grossly violate international norms and strike at humanism," Andrews stated. "This is a reckless and cynical disregard for human dignity, contrary to the core principles of non-refoulement outlined in international treaties, which India has not officially signed. This means the country is violating not only its international obligations but also basic moral standards." Note: It is important to note that India, despite hosting millions of Muslim Rohingya who fled Myanmar in search of safety due to persecution and violence, still lacks clear legislation regarding refugee status. The country has no specific norms for their protection and is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention and related protocols, which complicates international oversight and responses to such situations. Meanwhile, according to human rights organizations, thousands of Rohingya immigrants live in fear, with crowds crossing borders to escape internal persecution and genocide—issues that the political arena largely ignores, leaving them in hopelessness. The international community increasingly urges India to adhere to standards of humanity and human rights, and to avoid such painful and compromising incidents that not only damage its international reputation but also violate fundamental human norms and international law.