141 civil society organizations have filed a complaint to UNHCR headquarters regarding UNHCR India’s transfer of confidential refugee data to the Indian government. The complaint alleges that UNHCR India’s actions have endangered the lives and security of Myanmar refugees and demands accountability for these irresponsible actions that have put vulnerable people at risk. The organizations emphasize that UNHCR India’s data sharing has led to serious consequences for refugees who fled Myanmar following the military coup.
Over 10,000 Myanmar nationals who fled to India after the military coup had registered as refugees with UNHCR India seeking protection. However, after UNHCR India shared their information with Indian authorities, the government arrested more than 261 Myanmar nationals under foreign national laws. Among those detained, 6 women were forced to give birth while in prison, and 2 men died in custody. Most concerningly, 134 people were forcibly returned to Myanmar’s military council, violating the international legal principle of non-refoulement. Of those returned, 34 remain in military detention while 125 others, despite completing prison sentences, continue to be held in foreign national detention centers.
A particularly alarming incident occurred on May 6th when Indian authorities, using data obtained from UNHCR India, conducted targeted raids on Rohingya refugee homes, arresting 40 individuals who were subsequently deported to Myanmar. This systematic targeting has created widespread fear among the Rohingya refugee community, forcing many to abandon their homes and live as internally displaced persons. Since June 13, 2025, Indian authorities have been using UNHCR India’s data to conduct unwarranted searches of Myanmar political activists’ residences, requiring mandatory reporting to the Foreigners Registration Office (FRRO), and imposing restrictions on movement outside New Delhi and housing relocations.
The complaint details how refugees facing these threats have repeatedly sought help from UNHCR India and its partner organization, the Socio-Legal Information Centre (SLIC), through emails and phone calls, but have received no response or protection. This lack of response demonstrates UNHCR India’s complete abdication of responsibility and accountability to refugees. The organizations argue that these actions severely violate the Refugee Convention principles and UNHCR’s own ethical guidelines regarding confidentiality, duty of care, and non-refoulement. The complaint calls for immediate cessation of unprotected data transfers, full security guarantees for refugee information, investigation and action against responsible UNHCR India officials, and urgent resolution of security challenges facing Myanmar political activists and refugees seeking UNHCR India’s protection.
