New Delhi, May 16, 2025 – The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights is investigating allegations that Indian authorities forced dozens of Rohingya refugees into the sea near Myanmar last week. The agency stated that at least 40 refugees, detained in New Delhi, were allegedly cast into the sea by the Indian navy near the maritime border with Myanmar.
According to the U.N. agency, the refugees, including children, women, and older people, swam ashore, but their current location in Myanmar is unknown. Five Rohingya refugees confirmed that their family members were part of the group detained on May 6 and allegedly forced into the sea on May 8.
A lawyer representing the refugees stated that families have filed a petition in India's top court, urging the government to bring them back to New Delhi. The U.N. has appointed an expert to probe these acts and urged India to refrain from inhumane treatment of Rohingya refugees. Tom Andrews, U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, called the incident a “blatant disregard for the lives and safety of those who require international protection”.