India’s response to Rohingya refugee crisis must balance humanitarianism with national security

Indonesia, home to the largest Muslim population globally, has not been exempt from the challenges faced by the Rohingya refugee crisis. A recent incident has brought to the forefront the harsh realities faced by Rohingya refugees in Indonesia. Approximately 250 Rohingya refugees, escaping persecution in Myanmar, were denied entry to western Indonesia and forced back to sea. The group, hailing from the persecuted minority in Myanmar, reached the shores of Aceh, Indonesia, only to be instructed by irate locals not to disembark. Subsequently, some refugees swam ashore, where they succumbed to exhaustion and collapsed on the beach.

India has also faced criticism over the conditions of Rohingya refugees. Human rights groups have voiced concerns about India’s attempts to deport the refugees rather than offering them asylum. At least 18,000 Rohingyas in the country are registered with the UNHRC, a substantial number remain undocumented. Major concentrations exist in Delhi, Jammu, Telangana and Haryana. Unfortunately, the undocumented status of many Rohingyas leaves them without access to basic healthcare and education facilities, further contributing to their precarious situation.

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While it is true that Rohingyas in India face difficult living conditions India is not an exceptional case in this regard. Rohingyas have faced discrimination and deportation in many Muslim-majority countries too.

In Saudi Arabia, recently leaked video footage revealed the mistreatment of Rohingya Muslim refugees in detention centres in Jeddah. Handcuffed refugees described being held for years, with reports of imminent forced removals to Bangladesh. This mistreatment raises concerns about the plight of Rohingya refugees within the Kingdom.

Pakistan, while criticizing Myanmar for the persecution of Rohingya Muslims, faces accusations of hypocrisy as it mistreats its own Rohingya population. Despite lodging protests against Myanmar, Rohingyas living in Pakistan, estimated between 40,000 and 250,000, claim to experience discrimination and poor living conditions. They are often ineligible for government jobs due to a lack of national identity cards, and social discrimination further complicates their lives in this Muslim-majority country.

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In Bangladesh, where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees sought refuge from violence in Myanmar, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged their return. However, after almost five years of the refugee crisis, the overcrowded camps in Bangladesh have led to impatience and increasing anti-Rohingya sentiment. Despite promises from Myanmar to start the repatriation process, the situation remains unresolved, and the Rohingya community continues to face hostility in Bangladesh.

India lacks a specific refugee law, as it is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol. The absence of a formal legal framework means that the Indian government decides asylum pleas on an ad hoc and case-to-case basis. Despite this, India has demonstrated a humanitarian stance by opening its doors to refugees from conflicted regions around the world.

Asylum-seekers whose pleas are approved receive a long-term visa (LTV) that is renewable annually. This LTV grants them the right to work in the private sector and access to education and banking facilities. Despite the absence of a comprehensive legal framework, India has embraced refugees from various regions, showcasing a commitment to providing shelter to those in need.

Tibetans, Chakmas from Bangladesh, Afghans and ethnic Tamils from Sri Lanka are among those who have found refuge in India. Tibetans, numbering around 100,000, have been granted asylum, allowing them to lease land and seek jobs in the private sector. Tamil refugees, mainly in Tamil Nadu, receive state government aid, with their numbers reaching about a lakh.

In 2016, the Indian government extended its support to refugees by allowing Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to buy property for self-living. They were also permitted to obtain driving licenses, PAN and Aadhaar IDs, highlighting India’s commitment to providing a secure environment for those fleeing persecution in neighbouring countries. Despite the absence of a formal legal structure, India’s actions demonstrate a willingness to extend assistance and refuge to those seeking shelter on its soil. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) also reflected the country’s commitment to extending a helping hand to refugees in need, particularly those facing religious persecution in neighbouring nations.

India’s decision to deport illegal Rohingya immigrants stems from concerns over serious security threats to national security. The government asserts that these immigrants, even those with UNHCR papers, pose significant risks for several reasons.

Firstly, there is a fear that immigrants may be susceptible to recruitment by terrorist groups. This concern is not unfounded, as there have been arrests of individuals in Rohingya camps with affiliations to Al Qaeda. Members of a newly emerged Islamist militant organisation, Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya, have been found in the camps, indicating physical contacts and potential radicalisation within the Rohingya population.

Secondly, the government cites grave security challenges posed by the Rohingya immigrants. Beyond potential links to terrorist organisations, there are concerns about the vulnerability of Rohingyas being exploited for criminal activities, including smuggling, drug trafficking, and other crimes. Crime statistics around the Rohingya camps reveal incidents of theft, shootings, kidnappings, and a significant increase in murders, raising alarms about the security situation in these areas.

Lastly, the influx of migrants contributes to social, political, and cultural problems. The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that many Rohingyas have acquired documents meant for Indian citizens, such as Aadhaar, PAN and Voter ID through potentially fraudulent means. This raises concerns about the naturalisation of illegal migrants in the complex socio-economic landscape of Indian society and politics.

The situation in the Rohingya camps demands a nuanced and comprehensive approach that balances humanitarian concerns with the imperative to address security challenges. The complexity of the issue stems from various factors that contribute to the potential threats Rohingyas may pose to the peace and security of India and South Asia as a whole.

While it is crucial to prioritise the safety, security and well-being of Rohingya refugees at a humanitarian level, it is equally important to understand and address the security concerns arising from the situation in the camps. Sustainable solutions require the collaboration of all stakeholders, including international organisations, neighbouring countries, and the refugees themselves. This may involve implementing effective monitoring mechanisms, enhancing intelligence-sharing, and fostering dialogue to create an environment that safeguards both the human rights of the Rohingyas and the security interests of the host nations and the broader region. Striking a delicate balance between compassion and security considerations is imperative for finding lasting solutions to the complex challenges posed by the Rohingya crisis.

The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.

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