The Manipur HC has granted safe passage to seven persecuted citizens from Myanmar to seek protection of the UNHCR in New Delhi by recognising the right of 'non-refoulement'.
It is going to be a long walk to freedom not only for the refugees, but for us in India desperately trying to protect our vanishing democratic traditions.
Moreh, Manipur, India – Seven Myanmar nationals, including three journalists from a Yangon-based media house, are set to travel to New Delhi to approach the India office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) after a court in the northeastern state of Manipur ordered safe passage for them on Monday.
The seven Myanmar nationals had been “hiding” in Moreh, a border town in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district, for weeks before they arrived in the state capital Imphal on April 21 following court-ordered interim protection.
The seven are among hundreds of Myanmar nationals, including policemen, military personnel and legislators, who are seeking shelter in the Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram after they fled to escape a brutal crackdown following a military coup on February 1 this year.
Manipur HC Orders Safe Passage to Delhi for 7 Myanmarese Seeking UNHCR Protection
The seven had fled from Myanmar and entered Manipur fearing persecution and physical danger after their media organisation was banned by the military government.
Members of the armed forces stand guard during a protest against the military coup, in Yangon, Myanmar March 27, 2021. Photo: REUTERS/Stringer
Imphal: The high court of Manipur on Monday directed the authorities to grant safe passage to seven Myanmarese to New Delhi so that they can seek protection from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The seven three journalists and wife and three children of one of them had fled from Myanmar and entered Manipur illegally fearing persecution and physical danger after their media organisation was banned by the military government, the petitioner said.