Geneva: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has expressed concern over India’s deportation of Rohingya Muslims, warning that rights violations against migrants and refugees are becoming routine in several countries.
In his global update to the 60th session of the Human Rights Council, Türk said India had deported groups of Rohingya by both land and sea. He noted that Pakistan and Iran have forcibly returned millions of Afghans, while Germany, Greece, Hungary, and other European states have recently restricted asylum rights.
Türk added that the United States has reached agreements with governments including El Salvador, South Sudan, Eswatini, and Rwanda to deport third-country nationals, raising questions about compliance with international law. “Human rights, all human rights, are the solid foundations of flourishing societies. Yet disturbing trends that undercut our rights are gaining ground across the world,” he said.
The UN human rights chief urged governments to strengthen commitments to international protections, stressing that human rights must be recognized as the birthright of every individual. He emphasized the need for governments to educate citizens on the universality of these rights.
Human Rights Watch estimates that around 40,000 Rohingya live in India, with at least 20,000 registered with the UN refugee agency. Rights groups have consistently criticized the deportations, arguing they put vulnerable populations at risk of further persecution and statelessness.
