Govt must change its Rohingya policy: Civil society members

The civil society members urged the Indian government to change its policy related to Rohingya refugees. They members believe that the government should allow them temporarily live in India, on humanitarian grounds.

The members also urged the Myanmar government to release Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were arrested over an investigation into Rohingya killings by the military.

The former diplomat KP Fabian urged the government to change its policy towards Rohingya refugees. He also added that the push back policy adopted by the government is clear violation of Indian constitution. He said: "Article 21 of the Constitution (right to life and liberty) applies to all citizens, whether Indian or foreign nationals. By pushing them back, the government is violating the constitution,"said Fabian, adding that India has repeatedly asserted on the international stage that it had always abided by the principle of non-refoulement, despite not being a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention.

However, before the Supreme Court, the government changed its stand and submitted that as a non-signatory to the Refugee Convention, India was not obliged to adhere to the principles of non-refoulement.

WRONGFUL ARREST

The members also urged the Myanmar government to release Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were arrested over an investigation into Rohingya killings by the military