The United Nations has launched an investigation into serious allegations that Indian naval forces forcibly expelled Rohingya refugees into the Andaman Sea, potentially in violation of international humanitarian law. Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, described the reported incident as “outrageous,” and demanded a full and transparent explanation from the Indian government.
According to preliminary reports, Indian officials detained approximately 40 Rohingya refugees in New Delhi, despite many holding UN-issued documentation. The detainees were allegedly blindfolded and transported to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where they were handed over to Indian naval forces.
In an apparent attempt to remove them from Indian territory, the refugees were placed on a naval ship, given life jackets, and forced into the sea to swim toward an island under Myanmar’s control. The operation endangered their lives, with many at risk of drowning in open waters, according to eyewitness accounts cited by human rights observers.
Andrews, an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, emphasized that the alleged actions by India could constitute a violation of the principle of non-refoulement—a core tenet of international refugee law that prohibits returning individuals to countries where they face threats of persecution.
“It is unconscionable to force Rohingya back to Myanmar where they risk serious human rights abuses,” Andrews said. He called on New Delhi to halt any further deportations, and to honor its international legal obligations regarding the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.
The Rohingya, a Muslim minority group systematically persecuted by Myanmar’s military, have faced decades of ethnic violence and mass displacement. The situation reached crisis levels following a military crackdown on August 25, 2017, that forced over one million people into refugee camps in neighboring Bangladesh. Many others continue to flee by sea, often falling prey to human trafficking and fatal maritime conditions.
India, while not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, is still bound by customary international law and UN protocols regarding the humane treatment of displaced individuals. Human rights organizations have previously accused Indian authorities of forcibly repatriating Rohingya refugees without proper legal proceedings.
This latest revelation adds to growing criticism of India’s handling of vulnerable refugee populations. Tom Andrews has formally urged the Indian government to refrain from further expulsions, and to cooperate fully with UN mechanisms investigating potential human rights violations.
“There must be accountability for such blatant disregard for human life,” Andrews stated.
The UN’s inquiry is expected to involve interviews with survivors, examination of flight and naval logs, and formal requests for clarification from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Navy.
As geopolitical tensions in South Asia escalate, the safety of stateless minorities like the Rohingya hangs in the balance, once again reminding the international community of the urgent need for enforceable global refugee protections.