Indian Union Muslim League bats for Rohingya refugees

Malappuram: The Indian Union Muslim League has asked the union government to step back from its plan to deport an estimated 40,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees to Myanmar where they face persecution.  IUML national secretary E.T. Muhammed Basheer said that the centre’s move was “frustrating”. The Muslim League has approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking immediate intervention in the issue. A party delegation would soon meet the concerned UN authorities in India, Basheer said.

“According to several international treaties and UN conventions, India, the largest democratic country, is obliged to help Rohingya refugees who have sought asylum in the country. The union government should show humanitarian consideration towards these refugees,” he said. He said that the statement of the deputy Home minister Kiren Rijiju that Rohhingyas including those with valid refugee status were illegal migrants was condemnable. “When many countries came forward to support Rohingya refugees, India’s official stand was shocking. Attacks against Rohingya asylum seekers have increased after Rijiju’s statement,” Basheer pointed out.