Opposition Members of Parliament have raised serious concerns over the treatment of African refugees in New Delhi, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and uphold their rights. Reports indicate that the Delhi Police detained approximately 30 African refugees and transferred them to the Lampur detention centre.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas expressed alarm at police raids on homes, specifically targeting refugees from Sudan, Yemen, and Somalia. RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha emphasized that these individuals are recognized refugees, holding valid identification cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and therefore should not be treated as “undocumented migrants.”
Jha highlighted that these refugees confront daily racism and are now subjected to systematic persecution by governmental authorities. He warned that the government’s response to this situation would reflect India’s commitment to the vasudhaiva kutumbakam principle, which translates to “the world is one family.”
Brittas similarly cautioned that the nation’s stance on this matter will not only impact the futures of these vulnerable individuals but will also signal India’s dedication to its cherished ideals on the global stage. CPI-ML’s Rajya Sabha MP Raja Ram Singh remarked that despite being recognized as refugees under UNHCR standards, these individuals are unjustly being categorized as illegal migrants. He reported that over 25 refugees have been detained, leaving their families vulnerable, particularly at risk of gender-based violence.
Singh further stated that ignoring UNHCR identification not only undermines established international humanitarian norms but also exposes refugees to potential abuse and harassment from authorities. He reminded the Prime Minister of the National Human Rights Commission’s ongoing task to draft a refugee protection law, imploring that these arrests be ceased and those detained released until a proper legal framework is established.
According to UNHCR data, 1,247 Sudanese and a similar number of Somali refugees are registered in India. Singh noted that despite their limited population, these communities are being targeted, causing significant trauma to their families. He warned that these actions could also jeopardize India’s diplomatic relations with African nations, recalling Swami Vivekananda’s 1893 Chicago speech that highlighted India’s legacy of sheltering the persecuted from all backgrounds.
Singh has urged Prime Minister Modi to take immediate action to halt these arrests and ensure the release of those already detained.
Tags: MPs, crackdown, African refugees, New Delhi, concern
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