The Dire Situation of Rohingya Refugees in India
The Rohingya people have long endured persecution and violence in their homeland of Myanmar. In the wake of the horrific genocide launched by the Myanmar military in 2017, over 770,000 Rohingya fled across the border to Bangladesh, where they now reside in the world’s largest refugee settlement. However, the plight of the Rohingya does not end there. Thousands more have sought refuge in neighboring countries like India, only to face a new set of challenges and threats.
India’s treatment of Rohingya refugees has been far from welcoming. The country does not have a comprehensive legal framework for protecting the rights of refugees, and the Rohingya are instead categorized as “illegal immigrants.” This designation leaves them vulnerable to arbitrary detention, deportation, and the denial of basic services like education and healthcare. Despite India’s status as the world’s largest democracy, its policies towards the Rohingya population have been increasingly hostile in recent years, fueled by rising anti-Muslim and anti-refugee sentiment.
The Rohingya Struggle for Survival in India’s Slums
Within India, the Rohingya community is largely concentrated in urban slum settlements, with the largest populations found in cities like Hyderabad, Jammu, and Delhi. These informal settlements lack access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and other essential WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure. The Rohingya refugees living in these conditions face a daily battle for survival, with their health and well-being constantly at risk.
Lack of Access to Clean Water and Sanitation
One of the most pressing WASH challenges for Rohingya refugees in India is the severe shortage of clean water and proper sanitation facilities. In a survey conducted by The Azadi Project and Refugees International, over half of the Rohingya respondents reported not having access to drinking water, and 93% said they did not have access to adequate sanitation.
The lack of proper toilets and waste management systems in the slum settlements forces many Rohingya to resort to open defecation, which not only poses serious health risks but also compromises their dignity and safety, especially for women and girls. The dense living conditions and poor ventilation further contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea and respiratory infections.
Vulnerability to Natural Disasters and Fires
The makeshift shelters in which the Rohingya live are highly susceptible to natural disasters and fires. These settlements are often constructed with flimsy materials like wood, metal, and plastic sheets, leaving them vulnerable to damage during extreme weather events or conflagrations.
A study found that between 2016 and 2021, at least 12 mysterious fires broke out in Rohingya settlements across India, with some suspected to have been intentionally started by right-wing extremists. These incidents have resulted in the destruction of homes and the loss of property, further exacerbating the precarious living conditions of the Rohingya community.
Barriers to Essential Health Services
The Rohingya’s lack of legal status and documentation, such as the mandatory Aadhaar cards, poses significant barriers to accessing essential health services in India. While they can technically seek basic treatment at government hospitals, they often face discrimination and are denied specialized care or even routine prenatal and postnatal services.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the Rohingya’s vulnerabilities, as they were initially unable to access free testing and vaccinations. The economic impact of the pandemic also hit the Rohingya hard, with a survey finding that nearly 56% of them lost their livelihoods, further limiting their ability to seek private healthcare.
The Trauma of Detention and Deportation
Perhaps the most devastating challenge faced by Rohingya refugees in India is the constant threat of detention and deportation. Without a clear legal framework for refugee protection, the Rohingya are considered “illegal immigrants” and are subject to arbitrary arrest and imprisonment.
Local civil society groups and legal experts estimate that hundreds of Rohingya are currently being held in detention centers, often referred to as “holding centers,” across India. The conditions in these facilities are reportedly dire, with limited access to sunlight, poor nutrition, and inadequate medical care. Numerous former detainees have reported experiencing temporary paralysis and other health issues due to the deplorable conditions.
Even more alarmingly, the Indian government has deported dozens of Rohingya to Myanmar, despite the ongoing genocide and the country’s unstable political situation following the 2021 military coup. This practice of forcibly returning Rohingya refugees to their persecutors is a clear violation of the international principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the deportation of individuals to places where they may face torture, cruel treatment, or other forms of harm.
The threat of detention and deportation has had a profound psychological impact on the Rohingya community, fostering a pervasive sense of fear and insecurity. Many refugees are reluctant to seek essential services or even report crimes, fearing that they will be targeted by the authorities.
Barriers to Education and Livelihoods
The Rohingya’s lack of legal status and documentation also severely limits their access to education and formal employment opportunities in India. Despite India’s laws guaranteeing the right to education for all children aged 6 to 14, Rohingya students are often denied enrollment in government schools due to their lack of Aadhaar cards or other official identification.
Even for those Rohingya children who are able to attend school, they face language barriers, discrimination from their peers and teachers, and the constant fear of being separated from their families. The situation is particularly dire for Rohingya girls, who face additional cultural and social pressures that often result in early marriage and the abandonment of their education.
Similarly, the absence of Aadhaar cards and other legal documentation prevents the Rohingya from accessing formal employment opportunities, forcing them to rely on precarious, low-paying jobs in the informal sector. This vulnerability leaves them susceptible to exploitation and further exacerbates the challenges they face in meeting their basic needs.
Glimmers of Hope: Resilience and Advocacy
Despite the overwhelming challenges, the Rohingya community in India has demonstrated remarkable resilience and resourcefulness. Local NGOs and civil society organizations have worked tirelessly to provide essential services, such as food distribution, skills training, and psychosocial support, to the Rohingya refugees.
One inspiring example is the story of Farhana Roshan, a Rohingya refugee who, against all odds, became one of the first members of her community to complete high school in India. Through the dedicated efforts of Farhana and her family, as well as the support of local advocates and organizations, she was able to overcome the barriers to education and secure a scholarship to study in Canada.
Similarly, pro bono lawyers have taken on cases to challenge the arbitrary detention and deportation of Rohingya refugees, leveraging India’s legal system to uphold their basic rights. These efforts have resulted in court-ordered improvements to detention center conditions and have delayed the deportation of some individuals.
However, the space for such advocacy and support is shrinking, as the Indian government increasingly restricts the activities of NGOs and civil society groups working with the Rohingya. Many organizations have reported losing their permission to receive foreign funding, while others have become more cautious in their interventions, fearing retaliation from the authorities.
A Call for Urgent Action and Improved Policies
The Rohingya refugees in India’s slums face a dire and multifaceted set of WASH challenges that threaten their health, safety, and dignity. From the lack of clean water and sanitation to the constant threat of detention and deportation, these vulnerabilities reflect a fundamental failure of the Indian government to uphold its international obligations and provide basic protections for this persecuted population.
To address these pressing issues, the Indian government must take immediate action to:
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Recognize the Rohingya as Refugees: Establish a comprehensive legal framework for refugee protection, granting the Rohingya and other displaced populations official refugee status and access to essential services.
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Improve WASH Infrastructure in Slums: Invest in the development of sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure in Rohingya settlements, ensuring access to clean water, proper toilets, and effective waste management.
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End Arbitrary Detention and Deportation: Halt the detention and deportation of Rohingya refugees, which violate international laws and principles of non-refoulement, and provide them with a secure and stable legal status.
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Guarantee Access to Education and Livelihoods: Ensure that Rohingya children have unimpeded access to education, and create pathways for the Rohingya community to engage in formal employment and economic opportunities.
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Empower Civil Society and Advocacy Efforts: Protect the rights of NGOs, activists, and lawyers working to support the Rohingya, and enable them to continue their vital work without fear of retaliation or restrictions.
As the world’s largest democracy and a significant player on the global stage, India has both the responsibility and the opportunity to set a positive example in its treatment of refugees. By addressing the unique WASH challenges faced by the Rohingya and upholding their fundamental human rights, India can not only improve the lives of this vulnerable population but also reaffirm its commitment to the principles of justice, equality, and global solidarity.
The Rohingya people have already endured unimaginable suffering. Now, more than ever, they need the support and protection of the international community to rebuild their lives and secure a better future for themselves and their children. The time for action is now.
Conclusion
The Rohingya refugees in India’s Hyderabad slums face a multitude of WASH challenges that jeopardize their health, safety, and dignity on a daily basis. From the lack of access to clean water and sanitation to the constant threat of detention and deportation, these vulnerabilities reflect a profound failure of the Indian government to uphold its obligations to protect and support this persecuted population.
By taking immediate steps to recognize the Rohingya as refugees, improve WASH infrastructure in their settlements, end arbitrary detention and deportation, guarantee access to education and livelihoods, and empower civil society and advocacy efforts, India can not only alleviate the suffering of the Rohingya but also reaffirm its commitment to the principles of justice, equality, and global solidarity.
The Rohingya people have already endured unimaginable hardships. Now, more than ever, they need the support and protection of the international community to rebuild their lives and secure a better future for themselves and their children. The time for action is now, and India has a crucial role to play in ensuring that the Rohingya’s basic rights and dignity are respected and upheld.
