New Delhi, 24 July 2023 -
Rohingya Human Rights Initiative (ROHRIngya Strongly Condemns the Arbitrary Detention Of Rohingya Refugees in Uttar Pradesh
The Rohingya Human Rights Initiative is extremely concerned about the arbitrary and thus unlawful detention of Rohingya refugees in various parts of Uttar Pradesh. So far incidents of detention have been reported from Mathura, Aligarh, and Faridabad. Police along with the Anti-Terrorism Squad surrounded the Rohingya camps and arrested the refugees in these areas. The incident took place around 5:30 a.m. this morning.
According to verified sources, more than 200 Rohingya refugees, including women, children, older persons, disabled persons, and pregnant women, have been unlawfully detained without any registered First Information Reports (FIR). These refugees possess identity cards duly verified by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), further underscoring their status as vulnerable individuals deserving of protection and assistance.
ROHRIngya spoke with a few families that were not detained who said that the police made a second visit to Rohingya camps around 4 PM in the evening. Following the 74 arrests that took place, the Rohingya community fears further arbitrary arrests and detention and requests immediate help from UNHCR. Moreover, few women were left behind to care for young children. In the absence of male earning members, they along with their children face imminent fear of starvation. The community also told us that the detainees have not been allowed to contact the UNHCR.
Sabber Kyaw Min, the founder and director of the Rohingya Human Rights Initiative (ROHRIngya), appeals: “We need to protect the dignity of those detained. Rohingyas are human beings, survivors of a genocide, and deserving of basic freedom and dignity given to everyone else. Those detained have sought asylum in India, not committed any crime. International laws, previous judicial judgements, and India's Constitution are obligated to protect them. Detainees include pregnant women, children, and disabled persons who are suffering violence. We appeal to the Government of India to release the detainees immediately and we appeal to the international community to advocate to stop arbitrary detentions and support refugees who are seeking freedom from violence and not further violence.”
Rohingya refugees living in India are survivors of one of the worst genocidal violence in recent times and they seek refuge and protection from Indian authorities. Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which India is a party, for detention – including immigration detention – to not be arbitrary, it must be prescribed by law, necessary in the specific circumstances and proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued. However, in the absence of FIRs, any clear basis for this kind of detention of Rohingya refugees is not made. In addition, for detention to not be arbitrary the detainees must also be informed why
they are being deprived of their liberty which is not the case here. In light of this, the
Rohingya Human Rights Initiative unequivocally denounces the violation of human rights by Uttar Pradesh police. These actions are not only a breach of international humanitarian and human rights law but also undermine the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that states “everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution”.
ROHRIngya urges the Government of India to take immediate and decisive steps to halt the violence, ensure the release of all arbitrarily detained Rohingya refugees, and initiate a transparent and impartial investigation into these grave human rights violations. Furthermore, we call upon the international community to mobilise assistance and support for the Rohingya refugees in India and other affected regions. Peaceful co-existence and assistance are essential to address the root causes of displacement, protect the rights of refugees, and work towards durable solutions that uphold human dignity and promote peaceful coexistence.
For further information, please contact info@rohringya.org or +919971599290 on Signal or WhatsApp.