Can India refuse refugees?

But India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention or the 1967 Protocol. Nor does India have a refugee policy or a refugee law of its own. This has allowed India to keep its options open on the question of refugees.

Why are there so many refugees from Middle East?

Background. The most significant root causes of the wave of refugees entering Europe in 2015 were several interrelated wars in the Middle East, most notably the Libyan civil war, Syrian civil war and the 2014–2017 War in Iraq.

How refugees are protected in India?

India is not party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol and does not have a national refugee protection framework. However, it continues to grant asylum to a large number of refugees from neighbouring States and respects UNHCR’s mandate for other nationals, mainly from Afghanistan and Myanmar.

What rights do refugees have in India?

Freedoms. Generally, refugees are allowed freedom concerning their movement, practice of religion and residence. In case of refugees whose entry into India is either legal or is subsequently legalised, there is limited interference by the administration regarding these basic freedoms.

How does India deal with refugees?

India is not a State Party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, nor has it enacted national legislation to deal comprehensively with refugees. Instead it deals with refugees largely at political and administrative levels, and has only ad hoc systems in place to deal with their status and needs.

Does India need a refugee policy?

Does India accept asylum seekers?

Some countries have agreed to take in refugees from Afghanistan; India is one notable country that has agreed to provide safe shelter. Currently, India does not have any domestic legislation providing for the protection of refugees and asylum seekers, nor has it acceded to relevant international treaties.

Why does India not have a refugee policy?

India lacks specific legislation to address the problem of refugees, in spite of their increasing inflow. The Foreigners Act, 1946, fails to address the peculiar problems faced by refugees as a class. It also gives unbridled power to the Central government to deport any foreign citizen.