The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has voiced strong concern over the Indian government’s recent moves to expel Rohingya refugees back to Burma and deport Bengali-speaking Muslims to Bangladesh, warning that such actions violate international law and undermine religious freedom.

In a statement, USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler said, “The Indian government’s expulsion of Rohingya refugees is a blatant disregard for international law and the principle of non-refoulement. The Indian authorities must immediately end this unlawful expulsion and arbitrary detention of refugees, who face severe persecution if forced to return to Burma.”

The commission noted that Indian authorities deported at least 40 Rohingya refugees in May, forcing them onto a dangerous boat journey back to Burma. While thousands of Rohingya have sought shelter in India since 2017, they remain unrecognized as refugees under the Foreigners Act, leaving them vulnerable to detention and deportation.

Alongside this, Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam continue to face deportations under the National Register of Citizens (NRC). USCIRF said hundreds have been expelled to Bangladesh since May without due process, amid accusations of being “illegal immigrants.”

Commissioner Stephen Schneck stressed that the policies disproportionately target Muslims on the basis of their religious identity. “Forcing Muslims to prove their citizenship is a direct targeting based on religious identity and violates India’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” he said. “We urge the U.S. government to incorporate religious freedom into its bilateral engagement with India, emphasizing protections for Muslim populations and other religious minorities.”

In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF once again recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for systematic and ongoing violations of religious freedom.

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