Washington: The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has urged India to halt the deportation of Rohingya refugees and Bengali-speaking Muslims, warning that the expulsions violate international law and religious freedom.
USCIRF reported that in May at least 40 Rohingya refugees were deported to Myanmar, forcing them to undertake a dangerous boat journey. Rights groups say Indian authorities have also expelled hundreds of Bengali-speaking Muslims to Bangladesh without due legal process.
Thomas Andrews, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, described the deportation of 40 Rohingya refugees as “unconscionable” and announced an inquiry into the matter. Human Rights Watch said 192 Rohingya refugees registered with the UN refugee agency were expelled. Border Guard Bangladesh reported that India expelled more than 1,500 Muslim men, women, and children between May 7 and June 15, including about 100 Rohingya refugees.
USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler condemned the actions as a “blatant disregard for international law and the principle of non-refoulement,” urging India to end the expulsions and arbitrary detention of refugees. Commissioner Stephen Schneck added that forcing Muslims to prove citizenship violates India’s obligations under international treaties.
India has hosted thousands of Rohingya refugees since 2017 but does not recognize them under its Foreigners Act. Many Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam have also been labeled as illegal immigrants under the National Register of Citizens.
In its 2025 annual report, USCIRF recommended designating India a “Country of Particular Concern” for systematic violations of religious freedom. Indian officials dismissed the criticism as biased and rejected USCIRF’s authority.
