Letter from CPI (ML) Liberation MP Regarding Arrests of African Refugees in New Delhi

RAJA RAM SINGH’
Member:
Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles and Skill Development
Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Jal Shakt

Member of Parliament Lok Sabha
(Karakat, Bihar)
Floor Leader, CPI (ML) Liberation Parliamentary Group

Ref no: CPIML/PO/RS/0925/19/01

To,
Shri Narendra Modi,
Hon’ble Prime Minister, 7, Lok Kalyan MargJ New Delhi -110011

Date: 19/09/2025

Subject: Arrests of African Refugees in New Delhi

I am writing to draw your urgent attention to the recent police actions against African refugees residing in Malviya Nagar, New Delhi. It has been reported that the police have been raiding their homes and arresting refugees from Sudan and Somalia on the grounds that they do not possess valid visas.

It is a matter of deep concern that despite being recognized as refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR, these individuals are being treated as illegal migrants. We have learnt that more than 25 refugees have been picked up and taken away, leaving their wives and children in a state of extreme vulnerability, including the risk of sexual violence. The instruction to disregard UNHCR-issued identity cards and to treat all refugees as illegal foreigners not only undermines international humanitarian norms but also exposes them to harassment and abuse of power.

The Government has already mandated the National Human Rights Commission to draft a law on refugee protection. In this context, it would be appropriate to halt these arrests and release those detained until a proper refugee protection regime is enacted.

I would also like to highlight that the number of African refugees in India is extremely small. As per UNHCR data, only 1,247 Sudanese refugees and a similar number of Somali refugees are registered. A section of them have applied for humanitarian visas to Australia and are awaiting responses. Despite their small numbers, these communities are being hunted down, traumatizing their families. This has been documented in the media, including a detailed report by Scroll.in: As India cracks down on refugees, it is betraying its long commitment to international solidarity.

These African refugees already endure racial discrimination and economic hardship, as UNHCR no longer provides them financial assistance. Continued arrests will only worsen their situation.

India has always been seen as a beacon of hope and a safe harbour for those fleeing persecution. Our tradition of hospitality and solidarity has earned us goodwill globally, including in Africa. I hereby quote Swami Vivekanand’s famous Chicago address delivered on 11 September 1893:111am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of alt religions and alt nations of the earth". He even in the colonial era had propagated about India’s policy of universal tolerance and respect. However, incidents such as these risk straining our relations with African nations and may also have repercussions for the Indian diaspora there. We cannot forget the painful history of the expulsion of Indians from Uganda.

I, therefore, urge you to kindly intervene and direct an immediate halt to these arrests, and to ensure the release of those already detained.

Raja Ram Singh
IC No. 076