India Rejects UN Human Rights Report on Myanmar: A Closer Look at the Controversy

India's Strong Response to UN Report

United Nations: India has firmly criticized a human rights report concerning Myanmar, labeling it as biased and communal. The report suggests that the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April influenced the treatment of Rohingya migrants.

BJP MP Dilip Saikia expressed his strong disapproval of the special rapporteur's perspective, stating, "The approach taken by the SR regarding the innocent victims of the April 2025 terrorist incident in Pahalgam is fundamentally flawed and communal in nature."

Saikia emphasized that the claims linking the terrorist attack to the plight of displaced individuals from Myanmar lack any factual basis during a briefing on human rights issues in Myanmar.

His comments were a direct response to allegations made by Thomas Andrews, the special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar, who is also a former US politician and current Harvard academic.

Saikia asserted, "My country dismisses such biased and narrow-minded assessments from the special rapporteur." He is part of India's delegation at the General Assembly.

Addressing the Rohingya situation in India, he noted, "We are witnessing a concerning rise in radicalization among displaced individuals, which is affecting law and order in the region."

The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), led by Ataullah abu Ammar Jununi, is identified as the group responsible for the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.

In August 2017, ARSA initiated violent attacks against Hindus in Myanmar, resulting in the deaths of 99 individuals, including women and children, and numerous abductions, as reported by Amnesty International.

Saikia reiterated India's stance on its neighboring country, advocating for an immediate halt to violence, the release of political prisoners, unrestricted humanitarian aid, and inclusive political discussions.

"We firmly believe that lasting peace can only be achieved through inclusive dialogue and the prompt restoration of democratic processes via credible elections," he added.

In his report, Andrews claimed that following the Pahalgam attack, Rohingya refugees in India have faced significant pressure, despite no involvement from Myanmar nationals in the incident.

He added a communal aspect to the narrative, stating that the attack targeted "Hindu tourists," even though the terrorists aimed to harm non-Muslims, with victims including a Christian.

Saikia urged Andrews to refrain from relying on unverified and biased media reports that seem designed to tarnish India's image, where over 200 million Muslims coexist peacefully, representing about 10% of the global Muslim population.

Special Rapporteurs are independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to oversee human rights conditions in various countries and do not necessarily represent the views of the UN Secretary-General.

Andrews, a former Democratic Congressman, now directs Harvard University's Southeast Asia Human Rights Project. He reported that Rohingya refugees have recently faced summons, detention, interrogation, and threats of deportation from Indian authorities.

He alleged that around 40 Rohingya refugees were taken by sea and dropped off near Myanmar's coast, while others were sent back to Bangladesh.

The Rohingya crisis escalated after ARSA attacked Myanmar security forces in August 2017, prompting a severe military response.