The plight of the Rohingya remains one of the most tragic humanitarian crises of our time. Having fled persecution, ethnic cleansing, and systemic violence in Myanmar, thousands of Rohingya refugees sought safety in neighboring countries, including India. Yet, instead of refuge, many have encountered hostility, expulsion, and renewed danger. The 2025 report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) sheds disturbing light on India’s treatment of Rohingya refugees, exposing incidents that constitute grave violations of international law and humanitarian principles.
In May 2025, Indian authorities detained approximately forty Rohingya refugees in Delhi, individuals who possessed valid refugee identification documents. Rather than upholding their rights, the authorities forcibly transferred them via military aircraft to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. From there, they were handed over to an Indian Navy vessel.
What followed was nothing short of inhumane: these refugees were forcibly ejected from the navy ship into the open sea, left to fend for themselves without food, safety, or protection. Though this particular group miraculously survived by swimming to an island off the coast of Myanmar, such outcomes are rare. Similar incidents have resulted in fatalities, underscoring the lethal consequences of such expulsions. This single act illustrates the severe risks faced by Rohingya refugees in India—not only from deportation but also from violent measures that strip them of their dignity, security, and even their right to life.
The implications extend beyond these forty individuals. India’s actions highlight a persistent threat of forced repatriation and persecution for all Rohingya residing within its borders. The Rohingya have been recognized by the United Nations and multiple international bodies as victims of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity in Myanmar. Forcing them back—or expelling them into statelessness—contravenes the principle of non-refoulement, enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention, which prohibits returning refugees to a country where they face serious harm. By expelling Rohingya refugees, India is not only breaching international obligations but also undermining the very foundation of humanitarian protection designed to safeguard vulnerable populations in crisis.
Equally troubling is the forced removal of around 100 Rohingya refugees from detention centers in Assam during the same month. Reports indicate they were transferred to an undisclosed location near the Bangladesh border. Their current whereabouts and conditions remain unknown, fueling fears of family separations, statelessness, or even forced returns to Myanmar.
Such actions, shrouded in secrecy and devoid of transparency, epitomize the lack of accountability in India’s refugee policy. By failing to provide due process or clarity about the fate of those detained, Indian authorities are exacerbating the vulnerability of already marginalized populations. Past patterns show that forced transfers often result in long-term insecurity, exposure to violence, or cycles of displacement across porous borders.
Recognizing the gravity of these developments, the OHCHR’s Complaint Procedure Branch has officially communicated its concerns to the Indian government. It highlighted the extreme risk these measures pose and demanded accountability for the ongoing violations. This intervention adds to years of appeals from organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, which have consistently called on India to halt deportations and comply with humanitarian norms.
Yet, despite such international pressure, India’s policies toward Rohingya refugees remain marked by detention, expulsion, and neglect. The persistence of these practices raises serious questions about India’s commitment to its constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination and its obligations under UN conventions on human rights.
India often presents itself as a democracy committed to pluralism and inclusivity. However, the treatment of Rohingya refugees directly undermines this image. Rather than serving as a haven for the persecuted, India is increasingly perceived as a country where refugees face greater peril. This reputational damage has global implications. As international attention on refugee crises intensifies, India risks being viewed not as a partner in humanitarian protection but as a violator of refugee rights. Such a perception can erode its credibility in multilateral forums, weaken its moral standing in global debates, and tarnish its democratic credentials.
The plight of the Rohingya is not merely an “Indian problem.” It is a regional and global issue that demands collective responsibility. However, India’s role is pivotal given its geographic location, democratic aspirations, and international commitments.
If India seeks to be recognized as a responsible democracy and a global leader, it must change course. Refugees who fled atrocities in Myanmar should not face renewed trauma in India. Instead, they must be treated with dignity, compassion, and protection. Anything less risks perpetuating cycles of suffering—and cements India’s role not as a sanctuary, but as yet another source of danger for the world’s most vulnerable people
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