Ahead of World Refugee Day, Amnesty International has called on India to immediately stop pushing Rohingya refugees toward the Bangladesh border, urging the country to uphold international human rights laws and provide protection to the persecuted minority.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the global human rights watchdog stated, “Rohingya refugees must be recognized and granted the dignity and protection they deserve.”
Amnesty alleged that last month, Indian authorities forced at least 40 Rohingya refugees off a navy vessel into international waters near Myanmar, providing only life jackets. In a separate incident, more than 100 Rohingya were reportedly compelled to cross into Bangladesh.
Akhar Patel, Chair of Amnesty International India’s Board, said India has historically served as a haven for persecuted communities, but recent actions—such as abandoning refugees at sea and deporting them without due process—will be remembered as a dark chapter.
“Rohingya refugees, who have fled brutal military crackdowns since 2017, continue to face one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time,” Amnesty said.
The organization also highlighted the deteriorating conditions in Bangladesh’s Rohingya refugee camps, where food shortages, inadequate shelter, and limited healthcare have worsened due to declining international aid.
The appeal comes amid growing regional concerns over refugee rights and cross-border displacement, particularly as the Rohingya crisis remains unresolved.
