Exodus from Myanmar to Mizoram: NGO seeks NHRC's intervention on asylum requests

The National Campaign Against Torture (NCAT), a New Delhi-based rights group on Monday moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking its intervention for humanitarian assistance to the nationals of coup-hit Myanmar, who crossed over to Mizoram recently seeking asylum.

"As India has no law or mechanism to process the asylum applications and the decisions on refugee claims are taken by the Government of India on security considerations, which are often in violations of India’s constitutional obligations, the NHRC ought to intervene to fulfil its obligations," Suhas Chakma, Coordinator of the rights body said in a statement.

This comes days after several Myanmarese nationals including policemen took shelter in Mizoram's Serchip and Champhai districts fearing "political persecution." DH on Saturday reported that the Falam district administration in Myanmar had written a letter to Champhai district with a request to handover eight of them to Myanmar.

Officials in Mizoram on Saturday said at least 16 Myanmarese nationals had taken shelter so far seeking asylum. They are being taken care of in the community halls of the Mizoram villages situated close to the border.

The rights body requested the NHRC to send a team to Mizoram to interview each of the refugees and determine their refugee status in conformity with national law and India’s obligations under international law. They also urged the NHRC to direct the Government of India to not forcibly repatriate any Burmese refugee until their refugee claims are assessed and humanitarian assistance is extended.

"The Burmese refugees who have entered into India have the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Further, as a signatory to the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), India must not refoule the refugees in contravention of Article 3(1) of the UNCAT," Chakma said.

Mizoram shares more than 510-kms border with Myanmar and there is a possibility of further influx out of fear for the political persecution of those protesting the Military rulers.