Rohingya refugees reportedly forced by Indian authorities into sea near Myanmar

Key Takeaways

• At least 40 Rohingya, including children, were forced adrift near Myanmar by Indian authorities in May 2025.
• UNHCR condemned India’s actions as a violation of the non-refoulement principle under international law.
• Many Rohingya remain missing; families fear for their safety due to Myanmar’s history of persecution.

At least 40 Rohingya refugees, including children, women, and elderly people, were reportedly forced by Indian authorities into dangerous waters near Myanmar in early May 2025. The story, which has caught attention around the world, involves serious concerns about safety and international law. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), family members, and lawyers for those involved say these refugees were detained in New Delhi, flown near Myanmar’s sea border, and then cast adrift by the Indian navy with only life jackets.

This act has triggered widespread shock, especially as Myanmar itself is a country where Rohingya people have faced long-standing violence and discrimination. According to UN officials and human rights groups, sending anyone back under these circumstances could put their lives at great risk.

What Happened to the Rohingya Refugees?

The known facts of the case show that at least 40 Rohingya refugees, some of whom are reported to be Christian minorities, were arrested in New Delhi around May 6, 2025. Their families say that they were detained with very little information given and were soon separated from their loved ones. From there, these refugees were flown by plane to the sea border between India and Myanmar. Multiple sources tell almost the same story: after arriving at the border, the Indian navy put the group onto a vessel, took them toward Myanmar, and then left them at sea with life jackets.

At this moment, the fate of many of these people remains unknown. Some were able to swim to shore on the Myanmar side, but with little information about where they are now or whether they’re safe. Their families and lawyers are deeply worried because Myanmar is not a safe place for Rohingya people, and even less so for anyone recently expelled or sent back from another country.

International Law: What Rules Were Broken?

Several international rules and agreements try to protect people fleeing danger. One of the most basic is called the principle of “non-refoulement.” This means that no country should send anyone back to a place where their life or freedom is at risk. This rule is at the heart of international laws protecting refugees, and many governments—including India’s—are expected to follow it, even if they have not signed all the relevant treaties.

The UNHCR stated that what Indian authorities did is a clear break of these rules. Tom Andrews, a United Nations official in charge of human rights issues in Myanmar, called the incident “outrageous” and said India should stop such actions. He also called for proper investigation and accountability for those who gave the orders or carried out the forced return.

What India’s Policy Means for Rohingya Refugees

India hosts thousands of Rohingya refugees. Many arrived after 2017, when violence and military campaigns drove hundreds of thousands of Rohingya across the border into Bangladesh 🇧🇩 and India. But India’s official policies do not recognize most Rohingya as refugees, even when they are registered with the United Nations refugee agency. Instead, they are labeled “illegal immigrants.” This means they can be arrested, detained for long periods, and even deported at any time.

Since October 2023, there have been growing numbers of Rohingya displaced by fighting in Myanmar and increased pressure inside India to send them back. Some Indian officials have publicly repeated the idea that Rohingya are a security risk or unwanted guests, despite international protests and the clear dangers facing these people in Myanmar. Legal cases have reached India’s Supreme Court, with families and lawyers asking for greater protection. However, past court decisions have often supported the government’s position, putting security and national interest above refugee rights—even when those rights are written into international law.

According to Fortify Rights, a non-governmental group, the events in May 2025 were not the first of this kind. They have documented similar accounts from other Rohingya refugees and their relatives. Released detainees spoke of beatings, lack of food during detention, being blindfolded and handcuffed, and being separated from family members.

Why Returning to Myanmar Is Dangerous for Rohingya Refugees

The risks for Rohingya sent back to Myanmar are extremely serious. Myanmar is accused by many independent observers—including the United Nations—of committing genocide against the Rohingya. This has led to mass killings, widespread sexual violence, and forced displacement. Even today, the country is troubled by ongoing conflict, and the Rohingya remain one of the most persecuted groups in the world.

If Rohingya refugees return or are forced back, they face real threats such as violence, being put in jail, or simply disappearing. Most of them have no legal status or protection in Myanmar, and local authorities have often refused to recognize them as citizens. The United Nations and other organizations say the country is simply not safe for them.

“Such cruel actions would be an affront to human decency … [and] represent a serious violation … prohibiting states from returning individuals where they face threats,” said Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur.

Experiences Told By Rohingya and Advocates

Groups like Fortify Rights and relatives of the expelled refugees have shared disturbing stories about the lead-up to this event. They say Indian authorities carried out mass arrests in New Delhi, sometimes taking people directly out of their homes. Once in detention, the refugees were reportedly given very little food. Some said they were handcuffed, blindfolded, and separated from family members. After several days, they were moved by aircraft to the coastal area near the Myanmar border.

Family members only found out what had happened later—often through unofficial channels or by piecing together information from released detainees. Many are still waiting for any word on what happened to their loved ones.

International Reaction and Condemnation

The international response to these events has been strong and clear. UN agencies, human rights groups, and experts have all said that forcing refugees into the sea near a dangerous border, where their lives are at risk, cannot be accepted.

The UNHCR has led the outcry, calling India’s actions a violation of the basic laws that protect refugees everywhere. The agency continues to say that no government can send someone back to a country where they could be hurt, killed, or treated unfairly because of their ethnicity, religion, or politics.

Tom Andrews, the United Nations Special Rapporteur, used some of the strongest words: “Outrageous,” he said, and called for an immediate end to such deportations. He also asked for investigations and proper punishment for anyone who was involved.

Other major human rights organizations have echoed these calls. They are asking India not just to stop such actions, but also to make sure that all refugees—especially children, women, and elderly people—are protected in line with promises made in international law.

Broader Trends: Displacement and Host Country Attitudes

Since the mass violence against Rohingya in 2017, more than 700,000 have poured out of Myanmar into Bangladesh 🇧🇩 and other nearby countries. India 🇮🇳, however, has refused to formally recognize them as refugees. Instead, many live in poor, crowded camps or in informal settlements. They have few rights and live under frequent threat of arrest or deportation.

Broader regional trends are making things worse. New fighting and political instability in Myanmar after the military coup have pushed more Rohingya to try to leave. But at the same time, many countries that once offered shelter are becoming less willing to accept new arrivals. This includes India 🇮🇳, which is also worried about internal stability and changing politics.

What Are the Immediate and Long-Term Impacts?

For the Rohingya refugees who were forced into the sea, the most pressing need is safety and protection. Their families do not know where they are or even if they survived. For the broader Rohingya community in India 🇮🇳, this event has increased fear and uncertainty.

• Families worry about arrests and new efforts to deport or expel more people.
• Legal challenges may continue, but success so far has been limited.
• For those who are sent back, the risk of being arrested, harmed, or even killed in Myanmar is real.

For Indian authorities, the decision has brought harsh criticism from around the world. It may also create problems for India’s relationships with the United Nations and other countries that support refugee rights. Some experts say India’s image as a country that respects human rights could be damaged.

For host countries more broadly, this case shows how regional politics and internal pressures can lead to harder policies—even when international agencies and laws say otherwise.

Addressing Differing Viewpoints

It is important to note that Indian authorities consider many Rohingya refugees as “illegal immigrants” and see their presence as a security issue. Officials have argued that controlling borders and ensuring safety are top priorities, and in court, these arguments have often won out over refugee protection concerns.

However, international agencies like the UNHCR and rights groups say that protecting people fleeing violence must never come second to political or security arguments.

There are some in India who support stricter controls, worried about national safety. Others, including many activists and lawyers, say that basic human rights and compassion should guide policy. This debate is likely to continue.

Key Facts Summary Table

Next Steps and What Can Be Done?

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the future of Rohingya refugees both in India and throughout the region depends on legal changes, humanitarian support, and strong international pressure. Steps that can be taken include:

• Pushing Indian authorities to follow international law and stop forced returns.
• Increasing support from other countries and United Nations agencies for those at risk.
• Making sure all detained refugees have access to legal help and that their cases are reviewed fairly.
• Keeping the global spotlight on the situation to prevent further rights abuses.

For families and lawyers, the main goal is to find out what happened to the missing refugees and to ensure nobody else faces the same fate. For policymakers, there is a chance to change direction, honor commitments to human rights, and prevent similar cases.

For readers interested in learning more or supporting refugee rights, the UNHCR Myanmar Situation page offers up-to-date information. It also connects readers to official facts and ways to help.

In Conclusion

The events of May 2025 have put the treatment of Rohingya refugees by Indian authorities under sharp scrutiny. Forcing people into the sea near Myanmar, a country where their lives may be threatened, has brought outrage from the United Nations and human rights groups. This case highlights the importance of upholding international rules like non-refoulement—the promise never to send people where they face harm. What happens next will be watched by the world, as families wait for news and the wider Rohingya community in India faces an uncertain future. Both immediate safety and fair, lasting policies are needed to protect those already facing so much danger.

Learn Today

Non-refoulement → A core international law principle forbidding countries from returning refugees to places where they face danger or persecution.
UNHCR → United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the main global agency focused on refugee protection and support.
Rohingya → A Muslim minority group from Myanmar, widely persecuted and frequently denied citizenship or basic rights.
Forced Return → The process of expelling individuals to their home country or a dangerous region against their will, violating humanitarian safeguards.
Statelessness → A condition where a person is not considered a national by any country, lacking legal protection and basic rights.

This Article in a Nutshell

In May 2025, Indian authorities forced at least 40 Rohingya refugees, including children and elders, into dangerous waters near Myanmar. Despite international law prohibiting such actions, India labeled them illegal immigrants. The incident triggered global outrage, highlighting the urgent need for refugee protection and accountability for forced returns.
— By VisaVerge.com

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