Calls for action come amid concerns over the treatment of African refugees in India.
In the past week, nearly 30 African refugees were arrested by the Delhi Police and subsequently sent to a detention facility. This situation has prompted two Opposition Members of Parliament to appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for intervention, emphasizing the need to protect the rights and dignity of the affected individuals.
Ankit Chauhan, the deputy commissioner of police in South Delhi, indicated that these arrests were part of a “routine exercise” targeting those who were allegedly “illegally overstaying their visas and passports.” However, human rights activists have raised alarms, suggesting that the police appear to be disproportionately targeting African refugees, echoing concerns raised during the recent detention of Rohingya refugees.
Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, representing the Communist Party of India (Marxist), highlighted in a letter that police raids have specifically targeted Sudanese, Yemeni, and Somali refugees, sending them to the Lampur detention centre. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha from the Rashtriya Janata Dal argued that the detained individuals are not undocumented migrants but recognized refugees holding valid identity cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
These UNHCR identity documents are intended to protect refugees from being returned to their home countries; however, they do not grant the right to remain in the host country. Chauhan stated that the Foreigners Regional Registration Office does not accept UNHCR cards, complicating the situation for those seeking refuge in India.
Jha raised concerns about the impact of these actions on families, noting that the targeting of men while leaving women and children, some with infants, vulnerable represents a particularly cruel form of family separation. One case involved Ahmed Gaber, who was detained along with his wife and one-year-old daughter. While his wife and child were released, they reportedly faced pressure to return to Sudan. Gaber alleged that when his wife refused to comply, she was physically assaulted by police.
Gaber expressed grave concerns for his family’s safety, particularly as his wife has diabetes and is now responsible for caring for their infant alone. Both MPs argued that the refugees came to India in search of safety but are now confronted with daily racism and systematic persecution by authorities. Jha emphasized that the government’s response to this crisis would determine whether India continues to uphold the principle of “vasudhaiv kutumbakam,” meaning “the world is one family.”
He further stated that the current crackdown undermines India’s reputation as a diverse and inclusive democracy. Brittas echoed these sentiments, asserting that the government’s actions would shape the future of these vulnerable refugees and reflect India’s commitment to its cherished ideals.
The Opposition MPs are calling for an immediate halt to the arrests and raids targeting African refugees, the release of those currently detained, and the recognition of UNHCR documentation. It is noteworthy that India lacks a specific law for the protection of refugees and is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Refugees. The recently implemented 2025 Immigration and Foreigners Act criminalizes undocumented refugees, granting authorities significant power to deny them entry or exit.
