Around 100 Rohingya refugees housed at the Goalpara detention center in Assam, India, are currently on a hunger strike to protest poor living conditions and to request the transfer of their cases to the UN Refugee Agency in New Delhi. The refugees, including women and children, are living in appalling conditions in makeshift shelters surrounding the detention center. Some Christian refugees have also joined the hunger strike in a show of solidarity.
The refugees are pleading for their release on humanitarian grounds and recognition of their refugee status to enable them to lead a more stable life. India is grappling with a large population of Rohingya refugees who fled from Myanmar due to violence. Despite being recognized by the UN as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world, Rohingya refugees in India face legal and bureaucratic hurdles that restrict their access to essential services.
The Rohingya’s situation is further complicated by political pressures in India, with authorities facing calls for the deportation of refugees. The recent political crisis in Bangladesh has also raised concerns about the impact it could have on the Rohingya population. The ongoing clashes between armed groups and Myanmar’s military have exacerbated the Rohingya’s plight, leading to sanctions by western governments.
Overall, the Rohingya refugees at the Goalpara detention center are calling for immediate action to address their dire living conditions and seek international protection through the UN Refugee Agency.