New Delhi. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Central Government to release Rohingya refugees who have been detained indefinitely for two years or more.
The PIL filed by advocate Ujjayini Chatterjee challenges the indefinite detention of asylum seekers and refugees including youth, women and children in India in violation of procedures established by law. The petition seeks direction to release Rohingya detainees who have been held for more than two years.
Besides, it sought details of the names, gender and age of all Rohingyas detained indefinitely across the country along with their detention orders, final communications with the Myanmar embassy regarding deportation, personal data, assessment forms and final orders of denial of refugee status.
The petition also sought to assess the refugee status claims of detained Rohingyas within three months as per the Standard Operating Procedure, 2019 and either grant long term visa (LTV) to the Rohingyas or arrange for their resettlement in a third country.
Petitioner Rita Manchanda, an expert on South Asian conflicts and peacebuilding, found in her report that the detained Rohingya were never given any notice or an opportunity to present their refugee case.
The petition said, “The report highlights that despite being stateless, the Rohingyas have not been provided any identity documents, LTV or resettlement in a third country.” According to the Supreme Court website, the matter will be heard on August 12 by a bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Mishra.
Tags: Rohingya refugees, Supreme Court
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 11, 2024, 19:36 IST
