Spotlight on refugee crisis

The issue of refugee crisis has achieved global prominence as Australia and European countries are faced with a large influx of people, fleeing war-ravaged nations of Africa and West Asia. What's India's attitude towards refugees? Find out...

A Rohingya refugee woman, an ethnic persecuted Muslim minority fleeing Myanmar – a predominately Buddhist nation, sews inside her slum on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. Photo: AP

What’s up?

The issue of refugee crisis has achieved global prominence as Australia and European countries are faced with a large influx of people, fleeing war-ravaged nations of Africa and West Asia.

News about thousands losing their lives on overcrowded boats while crossing border to a faraway land fearing persecution has become common.

Does refugee issue exist in India? Yes, India has seen influx of people from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tibet and Sri Lanka all through its history.

Who is a refugee?

A person who flees his/her country out of fear of death and persecution due to their race, religion, nationality or membership of a particular social group is called a refugee.

What is the difference between an asylum seeker, migrant and illegal migrant?

Migrant

When a person leaves his/her country of own accord to make a new life in a new land, he/she is called a migrant. It is a planned journey.

Illegal immigrant

A person who arrives in a country with a legal visa but overstays is refered to as illegal immigrant.

Asylum seeker

A person seeking refuge status, but not yet been formally recognised as one is an asylum seeker.

How open and accommodative is India to refugees in recent times?

In June this year, the Indian government granted citizenship to 4,300 Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Centre has also decided on humanitarian grounds to allow minority refugees from Bangladesh and Pakistan to stay on even after expiry of their visas. This would be applicable for those who have entered India on or before December 31, 2014. An official estimate put this number to two lakhs.By minority refugee, it means the Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Parsis and Buddhists, who have taken shelter in India fearing religious persecution back home.The government also plans to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant citizenship to Hindus from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh seeking asylum in India. BJP wants to position India as a safe haven for Hindus fleeing persecution anywhere in the world, like how Israel is for the Jews.

Why is there a concern?

Critics opine that India should open its doors for all those seeking refuge, and not just those fleeing religious persecution.

What protects the rights of refugees?

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) protects the rights of the refugees. The 1951 Refugee Convention sets out the rights and the responsibilities of nations that grant asylum. Signatories of this multilateral treaty are bound to protect those seeking asylum. India is not a signatory of this convention.