Thursday, Mar 28 2024 | Time 15:43 Hrs(IST)
image
India


Rohingyas are illegal migrants, any sovereign nation free to take action against illegal migrants: Rajnath

Rohingyas are illegal migrants, any sovereign nation free to take action against illegal migrants: Rajnath

New Delhi, Sep 21 (UNI) Amid concern expressed by human rights activists on the deportation of Rohingyas, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said Rohingyas are illegal migrants and that any sovereign nation is free to take action against illegal migrants. Addressing a National seminar on Good Governance, Development and Human Rights, organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) here, Mr Singh said their was no question of violation of any international law since India is not a signatory to International Laws on Refugees or to the UN Refugee Convention 1951. 'Hence, the question of its violation does not arise,'he said. Speaking at the seminar, where NHRC chairperson HL Dattu, was also present, Mr Rajnath Singh said that any sovereign nation is free to take action against illegal migrants. He said that the issue of deportation of Rohingyas for India is not a matter of ego and confrontation but of principles. 'Those who, in the name of human rights, are expressing concern on the rights of others should bother first for the rights of the citizens of India. The citizens of the country have the first right on its resources and not the illegal migrants. Rohingyas are illegal migrants; they are not refugees for which a process is required to be completed, which they never followed,' he said. 'The principle of non-refoulement would apply to Rohingyas only if, they were given asylum in India,' he said. The Home Minister said that the Government is very clear on the issue and to this effect has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court. The Union Home Minister said the Government of India has extended aid to Bangladesh for the welfare of Rohingyas there. He described both Bangladesh and Myanmar as friendly countries and said that the State Counsellor of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi has raised a ray of hope by saying that her country is prepared to take back Rohingyas. He expressed the hope that Myanmar would take some solid steps in this direction at the earliest. The Home Minister said that in Indian culture, the focus has always been on duties and not on rights. 'If everybody attends to his duties, the rights of all automatically get protected,' he said. Mr Singh said that the concept of Human Rights in the centuries old Indian ethos is rooted in peace, unlike the West where it shaped up with conflict post- World War-II. 'The concept of protection of Human Rights in India is linked with the well-being of the whole universe, wherein all elements live in mutual coexistence peacefully. This reflects even in our spiritual and divine invocations,' he said. The Home Minister said that Good Governance, Development and Human Rights are an inseparable trio and the Government is committed to uphold them. Describing the seminar organized by the NHRC as very relevant, Mr Rajnath Singh said that development without bringing dignity to human life would be meaningless. He said that the PM Ujjwala Yojna was meant to ensure dignified life to crores of women and we believe development without dignity is of no use. He listed several measures and schemes introduced by the Government during the last three years, which are aimed at overall welfare of the people by bringing transparency and accountability in its initiatives so that benefits of welfare schemes reached out the real beneficiaries. He said that the Government aims to provide ‘Housing to All’ by 2022 and electricity to all villages. Earlier, inaugurating the seminar, Justice HL Dattu said that the universality of Human Rights, their focus on human dignity and their concern for accountability make them uniquely appropriate for reshaping notions of development, cooperation, good governance and combating discrimination and exclusion to reach the goal of achieving a society where ‘Human Rights for All’ becomes a reality. He said that for any country to find its due place among civilized nations, the most important factors are eradication of poverty and provision of healthcare, education and equitable life opportunities to all without distinction. 'Unfortunately, even after more than half a century of independence, our country stands only at the fringe on all these counts,' he said. Justice Dattu said that there is a need to bring together politics, economics and culture in a more symbiotic relationship to constructively contribute to humanity so that the human being can become the pivot around which all governance and development activities, policies and programmes can revolve. Mr Ambuj Sharma, Secretary General, NHRC, welcoming the participants, underlined the significance of the national seminar and how the Commission has been making efforts to strive for good governance both in-house and outside through its interventions and functioning. Dr. Ranjit Singh, Joint Secretary, NHRC in his introductory remarks emphasized the importance of good governance and development and how significant are these to the protection of human rights. The Seminar is divided into five technical sessions spread over two days. These are being chaired by NHRC Members and participants include domain experts and top government functionaries from the Centre, State Governments and Union Territories. The discussion will focus on the role of media in civil society in promoting good governance and human rights, discerning indicators of good governance, global best practices and impact of information technology on good governance, service delivery mechanism and measures to enhance transparency and accountability, health and Swachh Bharat initiatives, new paradigm and challenges in good governance with an Indian perspective. Union Minister for Law & Justice and Electronics and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad will deliver the valedictory address in the concluding session tomorrow. UNI AR SHK 1953

More News
Department of Defence Production issues notification for re-organisation of DGQA

Department of Defence Production issues notification for re-organisation of DGQA

28 Mar 2024 | 3:23 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) The Department of Defence Production under the Ministry of Defence has issued a notification for re-organisation of the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), which is aimed at speeding up quality assurance processes and trials and reducing layers of decision-making.

see more..
IMD predicts rain over many parts of India on Friday: IMD

IMD predicts rain over many parts of India on Friday: IMD

28 Mar 2024 | 3:04 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday predicted light to moderate rainfall over Northwest India till March 31, with the possibility of heavy rainfall for two days from Friday.

see more..
MHA extends AFSPA in 3 dists of Arunachal Pradesh for 6 mths

MHA extends AFSPA in 3 dists of Arunachal Pradesh for 6 mths

28 Mar 2024 | 2:39 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts of Arunachal Pradesh for another period of six months declaring them as ‘disturbed area’ with effect from April 1.

see more..
Encourage fair, transparent & legal process: US on Kejriwal's arrest

Encourage fair, transparent & legal process: US on Kejriwal's arrest

28 Mar 2024 | 11:03 AM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) United States reiterated its call for fair, transparent, and timely legal processes a day after India summoned a US diplomat and objected to remarks on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.

see more..
India, China discuss border disengagement: EAM

India, China discuss border disengagement: EAM

28 Mar 2024 | 10:40 AM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) India and China exchanged views on achieving complete disengagement and resolving the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector of their border areas, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday.

see more..
image