Rohingya refugees: Rishad urges AKD to reconsider deportation order

January 7, 20252 Mins read36

The leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) MP Rishad Bathiudeen has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to reconsider the decision taken to deport the Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.

In a letter to the President, Bathiudeen noted that they had left Myanmar due to genuine fears about their lives and not due to economic reasons.

The letter further adds,

“This is to inform you with grave concern regarding the decision to repatriate the Rohingya refugees currently seeking asylum in Sri Lanka. It is my firm belief that we must adhere to international humanitarian principles and consider the well-being of these individuals who have fled persecution in their homeland.

The Rohingya people, as you are aware, have sought refuge in our country due to severe violence and oppression in Myanmar. They have come to Sri Lanka not as economic migrants, but out of genuine fear for their lives. The international community, including the United Nations, recognizes the plight of these individuals, and it is incumbent upon us as a nation that values human rights and dignity to offer them protection during their time of vulnerability.

We must ensure that our actions align with international laws and conventions on refugees, which emphasize the principle of non-refoulement – the prohibition of sending individuals back to places where they face threats to their lives or freedom. By upholding this principle, Sri Lanka will not only protect the rights of these vulnerable individuals but also demonstrate its commitment to international humanitarian standards.

Historically, Sri Lanka has been a land of refuge for those fleeing persecution. Many Sri Lankans have themselves lived as refugees in other countries during times of conflict. It is critical to remember that the current situation of the Rohingya refugees mirrors the struggles we have faced as a nation in the past. In light of this, I urge you to reconsider the decision to forcibly return these people to Myanmar, where their safety and human rights are still at risk.

I kindly request that these refugees be treated with respect and dignity while they remain in Sri Lanka. They should not be treated as prisoners but as people in need of our compassion and support.

Furthermore, it would be appropriate to collaborate with the United Nations to identify a suitable third country where these refugees can resettle, with their consent, once it is deemed safe for them.”