News Highlight
According to a tweet from the Union Housing Minister, Rohingya refugees will be relocated to apartments designed for economically weaker sections (EWS), where they will have access to essential services and police protection.
Key Takeaway
- The Minister said, “India respects the UN Refugee Convention of 1951 and provides refuge to all, regardless of their race, religion, or creed.”
- However, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) clarified that no such direction had been given to provide EWS flats to “Rohingya illegal foreigners.”
About Rohingyas
- The Rohingya people have lived in Myanmar’s Rakhine state (also known as Arakan) since the 15th century.
- Ethnicity – Muslim Indo-Aryans ( Minority in Myanmar who lives in Rakhine state)
- Issue:
- The Myanmar government considers them illegal migrants and passed a broad crackdown from 2016 to 2017. The issue’s roots go back to the 2012 riots in Rakhine.
India and the Rohingya Crisis
- Since the 2012 communal riots in Rakhine state, around 45,000 Rohingya people have been allowed to settle in different parts of India.
- But India considers them illegal immigrants, asks the state government to make a deportation list, and considers the Rohingyas an internal issue of Myanmar.
Issues and concerns due to illegal migrants
- The threat to national security:
- It has been determined that the Rohingya population’s ongoing illegal immigration into India and their continued presence represent a significant threat to national security.
- Clash of Interests:
- The illegal migration impacts the interests of local populations in the areas seeing large-scale influxes of illegal immigrants.
- Political Instability:
- When politicians begin influencing public opinion to turn against immigrants to acquire political power, the political climate becomes more unstable.
- The Rise of Militancy:
- Radicalisation has taken the place of the ongoing violence against migrants who are thought to be illegal immigrants.
- Human trafficking:
- In recent decades, the trafficking of women and human smuggling has become rampant across the borders.
- Disturbance in Law and Order:
- The illegal immigrants who participate in unlawful and anti-national activities threaten the rule of law and the nation’s integrity.
India’s stand on refugees
- The UN Refugee Convention-1951:
- India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol.
- It grants certain rights to people fleeing persecution because of race, religion, nationality, affiliation with a particular social group, or political opinion.
- Standard Operating Procedures:
- In India, there is no national law on refugees at present.
- The MHA issues only Standard Operating Procedures to deal with foreign nationals in India who do not claim to be refugees.
Way forward
- The Need for a Refugee Protection Framework:
- India is one of the countries that takes in the most refugees worldwide, despite not being a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol.
- The SAARC Framework on Refugees:
- India should take the initiative to encourage other countries in the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to develop a SAARC convention or declaration on refugees.
- Because the majority of illegal migrants are coming to India from SAARC member countries.
- SAARC has eight member countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka).
- Use India’s diplomatic strength:
- Short-term Indian financial assistance for better rehabilitative measures in Rakhine may not be effective in the present circumstances.
- India’s diplomacy needs to induce Myanmar to take action for its political stability, internal security and social harmony.
- Strong border management:
- India needs to enhance its border protection, especially in porous border areas.
- E.g. India-Myanmar border.
Content Source: The Hindu