Are Rohingya illegal migrants or refugees? Top court to decide

THE SC TOOK UP A BATCH OF 22 CASES INVOLVING THE DEPORTATION OF FOREIGNERS WHO ARE EITHER IN DETENTION CAMPS OR ARE CLAIMING REFUGEE STATUS

- Abraham Thomas

The Supreme Court on Thursday began examining whether Rohingya entrants staying in the country are refugees or illegal migrants, as it heard petitions filed on their behalf challenging their deportation and seeking remedial steps to give them basic amenities during their stay in refugee camps.

‘A bench headed by justice Surya Kant said, “The first major issue is whether they are refugees or illegal migrants. The rest is consequential.” “If they are refugees, they are entitled to certain protections under law. If not, they are illegal migrants and should be deported back to their country,” said the bench, also comprising justices Dipankar Datta and N Kotiswar Singh.