UN Urges Investigation into India's Deportation of Rohingya Refugees

The United Nations has called for a thorough investigation into allegations that Indian authorities are deporting Rohingya refugees, allegedly even throwing them into the Andaman Sea, amidst rising tensions with Pakistan.

The United Nations has issued a call for an investigation following "credible reports" alleging that Indian officials have forcibly deported Rohingya refugees, in some cases by pushing them into the Andaman Sea near Myanmar, their country of origin. These deportations come as part of a broader crackdown on minority Muslims in India as the country faces tensions with its neighboring Pakistan.

Tom Andrews, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, expressed his outrage regarding the allegations, declaring that “the idea of Rohingya refugees being tossed into the sea from naval vessels is utterly unacceptable.” He has requested more information on the situation and insisted that the Indian government be accountable for these claims. There is an urgent need for India to cease “inhumane conduct” towards Rohingya refugees, including repatriation to dangerous conditions in Myanmar.

While the Indian government has yet to respond to these allegations, the timing coincides with heightened tensions with Pakistan, following accusations that Pakistan supported a recent terror attack resulting in the deaths of over two dozen Indians. In light of this conflict, Indian authorities have implemented strict measures against Pakistani citizens residing in India.

The crackdown has extended to thousands of Muslim individuals, predominantly identified as Rohingya or Bangladeshi migrants. This classification often serves as a pretext for targeting these communities. Significant deportation efforts have occurred in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat and in Rajasthan, raising concerns over systemic abuse directed at minority populations within India.