On Thursday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) called for a national law to end adhoc-ism and ambiguity in dealing with refugees and asylum seekers in India. During an online open discussion, it was unanimously decided that a national law that includes all the best practices implemented so far is needed to ensure uniformity and legal sanctity in protection of human rights of refugees and asylum seekers across the country.
The panel agreed that although India has a good track record in dealing with international refugees and asylum-seekers, the nation must help them seek benefits of welfare measures put in place by the government even as it takes care of national security.
Addressing the open forum, NHRC chairperson Justice Arun Kumar said, "Article 14, 20 and 21 of the Constitution extend rights to all persons, including refugees and asylumseekers. But their permit to stay in the country cannot be extended forever without them acquiring citizenship, as also observed by the Supreme Court." Justice Kumar said that the legislature needs to be impressed upon and told to enact a national law for refugees and asylum-seekers so that adhoc-ism, confusion and unnecessary litigation can be avoided.
Kavita Belani, Deputy Chief Mission at UNHCR, said that refugees by definition are victims of human rights violations. She lauded India' s support for refugees and displaced people with its home-grown solutions in line with global commitments. She described these as very inclusive and forward-looking. However, she said that these needed to be formalised in a structured policy to form a national response.
This will make it easy for all refugees and asylum-seekers to get access to their rights, she added. Concluding the discussion, Justice Kumar said that all the suggestions would be further deliberated by the commission and then sent to the government as recommendations for implementation.
Picture Source :
