Key Takeaways
• Allegations in May 2025 accuse India of deporting Rohingya refugees to sea near Myanmar with only life jackets.
• United Nations calls India’s actions a violation of non-refoulement and demands a full, transparent investigation.
• India’s Supreme Court dismissed key allegations, citing lack of evidence, with the next hearing set for July 31, 2025.
Allegations have surfaced that India 🇮🇳 deported Rohingya refugees in a manner described by many as cruel, forcing men, women, and children onto the sea near Myanmar 🇲🇲 with nothing but life jackets. These claims, which first came to light in May 2025, have caught the attention of the United Nations and many humanitarian groups, sparking strong reactions both inside and outside India. Now, calls for a full investigation are growing, while the country’s courts and government defend their actions. This ongoing case shines a light on the difficult situation of Rohingya refugees, the role of international protection, and the challenges faced by all sides.
What Happened? (Lead and Main Allegations)
In May 2025, reports emerged accusing Indian authorities of taking harsh actions against groups of Rohingya refugees. According to these reports, Indian police detained dozens of Rohingya living in Delhi. Many of these refugees held official refugee IDs, which are generally seen as proof of their vulnerable status and the need for protection.
From those detained, about 40 were allegedly blindfolded and flown to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a remote part of India that sits closer to Southeast Asia. There, they were transferred to a navy ship. After crossing the Andaman Sea, it is said that they were handed life jackets by the navy crew, forced into the sea, and told to swim to land in Myanmar 🇲🇲 territory. While these refugees are believed to have survived the swim to shore, their condition and whereabouts as of now are unknown.
Around the same time, almost 100 other Rohingya refugees were reportedly removed from a detention center in Assam State and sent to a location near the Bangladesh 🇧🇩 border. Details on what happened after this transfer are not clear, but families have shared that they lost all contact with those who were moved.
The United Nations Steps In
The United Nations, through its human rights office and its Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, was quick to respond. Calling the reported acts “outrageous” and “an affront to human decency,” Andrews voiced deep concern about the alleged disregard for lives and safety. He pointed out that such actions break the principle of “non-refoulement.” This principle is a rule under international law that bans sending people back to countries where they could face harm or danger.
Tom Andrews publicly asked the government of India to give a full and clear account of what happened to the Rohingya refugees. On May 15, he stated, “The idea that Rohingya refugees have been cast into the sea from naval vessels is nothing short of outrageous. I am seeking further information and testimony regarding these developments and implore the Indian government to provide a full accounting of what happened.”
This call for more information comes as part of a wider investigation by the United Nations. They aim to find out exactly what happened, who was involved, and whether any laws or rules were broken.
Accounts from Refugees and Aid Groups
Several humanitarian organizations and direct witnesses have shared reports about these events. Fortify Rights, a group that focuses on human rights in Asia, spoke with people who have firsthand knowledge. They interviewed seven people, including Rohingya refugees who were recently let out of detention and family members of those still missing.
Among the stories shared with Fortify Rights, one refugee named “Bibi” described being detained with her husband and children. Another, called “Harun,” told how he was arrested with his two-year-old child and denied food during their detention, even though he asked many times.
Refugees International, another organization devoted to protection and support for people who are forced to move, released statements demanding that the Indian government stop all detention and forced removal of Rohingya refugees immediately. The group also released sad accounts from families who were suddenly separated during the mass deportations. One child was recorded telling his mother, “Don’t cry!” while another mother pleaded with her child, “Don’t separate, go with them wherever they go.”
These accounts show the personal pain and hardship experienced by refugee families, adding an emotional side to what is often discussed in political or legal terms.
Response from India’s Supreme Court and the Government
On May 17, 2025, the Supreme Court of India addressed these allegations. A petition had been filed, claiming that 43 Rohingya refugees were forced out of the country in the manner described above. The bench—led by Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh—dismissed the case, calling it a “beautifully crafted story” but arguing it lacked clear evidence.
During the hearing, the judges questioned how the information had been gathered, asking, “Every time, you have a new story. Now (where) is this beautifully crafted story coming from? …Who was clicking the videos and photos? How did he come back? What is the material on record?”
The court joined this petition with other pending legal cases regarding Rohingya deportations in India and stated that the next hearing would take place on July 31. As of now, neither the Indian government nor the Supreme Court has admitted that these events took place as described by refugees or aid groups. The government has also, so far, not responded directly to the calls from the United Nations for an official account.
Historical and Legal Context
India 🇮🇳 has been home to a small group of registered Rohingya refugees for many years. As of December 2024, about 22,500 Rohingya refugees are believed to live in the country. Most arrived after fleeing violence and persecution in Myanmar 🇲🇲, especially following the large-scale attacks and what the United Nations has described as possible genocide in Rakhine state since 2017.
This is not the first time India has faced criticism for its treatment of Rohingya refugees:
- In 2019, Fortify Rights reported that Indian authorities had beaten and threatened to forcibly return Rohingya to Myanmar.
- By 2023, the same group documented more cases of beatings, refugees being denied legal process, and some being held in detention for years without being charged.
- In July 2024, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination—known as CERD—called on India to stop detaining Rohingya independently, to refrain from forced deportations, and to take action against hateful speech aimed at the group. This committee pointed to politicians and public figures whose words might stir up hate and discrimination.
Across the border in Bangladesh 🇧🇩, about one million Rohingya refugees are now living after entering the country since 2017’s violence in Myanmar. The latest events in India fit into a much larger crisis facing the Rohingya—one that crosses many borders and involves long-standing debates about international responsibility, safety, and the rights of people who are forced to flee their homes.
The Principle of Non-Refoulement
At the center of these accusations is the principle of non-refoulement. This is an international rule that says no country can send a refugee or asylum-seeker back to a place where they would face serious danger to their life or freedom. Many see this rule as the foundation of refugee protection, and it is the core idea behind the 1951 Refugee Convention, supported by agencies like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
India 🇮🇳 is not a party, or official member, of the 1951 Refugee Convention. But groups like Fortify Rights and Refugees International argue that non-refoulement is a rule all countries should follow anyway, as it is part of international human rights law.
When countries break this rule, it puts refugees at grave risk. For the Rohingya, any return to Myanmar means facing the government and military that, in the past, have been accused of genocide, torture, and widespread abuse. For this reason, UN bodies and many humanitarian groups say forced returns or sea pushbacks are especially dangerous.
For more details on what non-refoulement means and how it works in international law, you can visit the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)’s official explanation.
Mixed Reactions and Views
The situation has brought about a strong debate both inside India and abroad. Supporters of the government argue that India, with its massive population and serious economic challenges, cannot be expected to take on all the refugees from neighboring countries. They also claim that national security is a real concern, especially when many people cross the border without proper documents.
On the other side, human rights organizations, the United Nations, and many legal experts argue that every country has a legal and moral duty to protect refugees from harm. Reports of violence and discrimination against the Rohingya in Myanmar are widespread and well-documented. For human rights defenders, the voices of separated families, detained children, and those pushed into dangerous situations show the real cost of ignoring international rules.
Countries that do not provide safe refuge may risk their reputation, their standing in the world community, and—most importantly—the lives and safety of some of the world’s most at-risk people.
What Happens Next?
Several things are now taking place. The Indian Supreme Court is set to hear more legal arguments about the treatment and deportation of Rohingya refugees at the end of July 2025. Humanitarian organizations are continuing to press for answers and support for separated families, while the United Nations pushes for a full and open investigation.
- There are calls for India 🇮🇳 to stop all forced deportations of Rohingya refugees.
- The UN’s calls demand India explain what happened and make sure that such acts, if true, do not happen again.
- Refugee advocacy groups are helping families who lost contact with loved ones, hoping for news about their fate.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that the broader international community is also watching closely. Some may hope that if this case is solved fairly and with care, it could guide future decisions not just for India but for all countries dealing with refugee populations.
Final Thoughts
The fate of the Rohingya refugees in India is more than just a story about one country’s border policy. It is about human dignity, international law, and the way all nations choose to treat the most vulnerable people in the world. As facts come out and investigations go forward, people around the globe will keep watching, hoping that the safety and future of the Rohingya—and all refugees—remain at the heart of every decision.
If you want to know more about the current status of refugees around the world, including official statistics and legal guidelines, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides detailed, updated information.
The coming months will likely bring more news, with courts, governments, and the United Nations each moving forward in their own way. For the Rohingya families separated in these recent events, the need for answers—and fair treatment—remains urgent.
Learn Today
Non-refoulement → A legal principle that forbids returning refugees to countries where they face serious threats to life or freedom.
Rohingya → A Muslim ethnic minority from Myanmar, facing widespread persecution and statelessness, with many seeking refuge in nearby countries.
Refugee Convention (1951) → An international treaty outlining protections and rights for refugees, including the principle of non-refoulement.
Detention center → Facility where authorities hold immigrants or refugees, often while their legal status or deportation is determined.
Fortify Rights → A human rights organization focused on protecting vulnerable groups in Asia through documentation and advocacy efforts.
This Article in a Nutshell
In May 2025, serious allegations emerged that India deported Rohingya refugees harshly, allegedly forcing them into the sea near Myanmar. The United Nations and humanitarian organizations responded swiftly, calling for investigation, while India’s courts and government face pressure. These events reignite debates about international refugee protection and India’s responsibilities.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Rohingya refugees reportedly forced by Indian authorities into sea near Myanmar
• Supreme Court Slams ‘Thrown to Sea’ Rohingya Claim
• Rohingya refugees flown by Indian authorities toward Andaman Sea
• Sri Lanka Faces Criticism Over Rohingya Refugee Deportation Plan
• Supreme Court denies Sri Lankan Tamil’s request to stay in India
