During the United Nations' regular briefing on Wednesday, significant concerns were raised regarding the forced deportation of Rohingya refugees from India to Bangladesh. This follows a recent complaint filed by the legal organization Guernica 37 to the International Criminal Court (ICC), alleging that India is coercively pushing Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, reiterated the UN's firm stance against the forced movement of refugees. Dujarric emphasized that refugees should only be repatriated to their home countries voluntarily, in safety, and with dignity. He also praised Bangladesh for its generosity in accommodating a large number of Rohingya refugees, urging the international community to continue supporting humanitarian efforts in the region.

When questioned about Bangladesh's announcement that it would no longer accept additional Rohingya refugees, Dujarric referred the query to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for further information. He sidestepped direct comments on the specific allegations against India, maintaining that the issue should be approached through international organizations to avoid exacerbating diplomatic tensions.

Guernica 37's complaint alleges that India has been deporting Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh in violation of international law. The legal group contends that these actions fall within the ICC's jurisdiction to investigate. According to the complaint, while the UNHCR initially facilitated the settlement of Rohingya refugees in India following their escape from Myanmar between 2012 and 2017, India declared these refugees illegal immigrants in 2017 and ordered their expulsion. This led to the arrest of many Rohingyas, with some fleeing to Bangladesh to avoid deportation.

The situation remains complex, with the UN calling for international cooperation to address the plight of the Rohingya refugees. The UN's commitment to ensuring safe, dignified, and voluntary repatriation of refugees underscores the need for a collective response to uphold human rights and international law.

As the ICC reviews Guernica 37's complaint, the global community watches closely, emphasizing the importance of a fair and just resolution to the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting the Rohingya population.