The Rohingya Crisis: A Brief Overview
The plight of the Rohingya people has evolved into one of the most pressing humanitarian crises of our time. Facing systemic persecution in Myanmar, hundreds of thousands have sought refuge in neighboring countries, including India. This mass migration has sparked complex debates surrounding international law, humanitarian obligations, and national security concerns.
The Rohingyas are a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority from Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Despite centuries of residence, Myanmar’s 1982 Citizenship Law effectively rendered them stateless, denying them basic rights and recognition. Decades of discrimination culminated in a brutal military crackdown in 2017, described by the United Nations as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing,” forcing over 700,000 Rohingyas to flee, primarily to Bangladesh.
International Humanitarian Response and Legal Framework
United Nations Involvement and International Humanitarian Law
- Humanitarian Aid: The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) has been providing essential food assistance to Rohingya refugees. However, recent funding shortages have led to significant cuts, affecting over one million people in Myanmar starting April 2025.
- Advocacy and Awareness: UN officials, including Secretary-General António Guterres, have visited refugee camps to highlight the dire conditions and mobilize international support.
- The principle of non-refoulement, embedded in international law, prohibits returning individuals to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. While India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, non-refoulement is considered customary international law, implying a moral obligation to protect refugees.
India’s Response to Rohingya Migration
Legal and Policy Stance
India hosts approximately 40,000 Rohingya refugees, residing in regions such as Jammu, Hyderabad, and Delhi. The Indian government considers them illegal immigrants, citing national security concerns. In March 2024, the government filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court, rejecting the right of Rohingyas to stay in India and emphasizing plans for their deportation.
In recent years, Indian authorities have detained several Rohingya refugees. Over 100 Rohingyas, including women and children; have been detained in Assam, leading to hunger strikes protesting their prolonged detention without trial. The Indian Supreme Court has been deliberating on petitions challenging the deportation of Rohingyas, balancing national security concerns with humanitarian obligation.
Despite legal challenges, humanitarian organizations continue to advocate for the rights of Rohingya refugees in India. Rohingya children in India face significant barriers to accessing formal education, with many schools refusing admission despite possessing the necessary documents. Many refugees reside in overcrowded camps with limited access to basic amenities, exacerbating their vulnerability.
Sources
- https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/centre-rejects-rohingya-right-to-stay-supreme-court-affidavit-2517580-2024-03-21?utm_
- https://www.refugeesinternational.org/reports-briefs/a-lifetime-in-detention-rohingya-refugees-in-india/?utm_
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-petition-challenging-rohingya-refugees-illegal-detention-in-india-explained/article67406846.ece?utm_
- https://www.reuters.com/world/india/rohingya-refugees-india-hunger-strike-over-prolonged-detention-2024-09-12/?utm_
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/27/rohingya-in-india-accuse-modi-of-double-standards-on-citizenship-law
- https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/feb/05/rohingya-demand-role-in-running-camps-and-tell-ngos-stop-ignoring-us-bangladesh-cox-bazar
More Current Affairs: https://learnproacademy.in/updates/