At the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Faiza Rifat, a Muslim woman from Jaipur, Rajasthan, made a significant statement in support of India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Rifat emphasized the humanitarian aspects of the CAA, highlighting its intention to offer protection and citizenship to religious minorities from neighboring countries. According to her, the Act plays a vital role in offering refuge and legal status to people who have long faced persecution in their home countries.
The CAA was introduced with the aim of providing citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India before December 31, 2014.
Rifat explained that the Act serves a crucial purpose in protecting these communities, who have often been subjected to violence and discrimination in their respective countries.
She noted that the law addresses a pressing need, especially in light of recent developments in Bangladesh, where Hindu minorities continue to face persecution.
Rifat highlighted the ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, calling attention to the challenges they face in their homeland. She argued that the CAA provides them with a safe escape route to India, where they can live with dignity and without fear of further persecution.
According to her, the Act is a necessary measure to ensure the safety and security of those who have been forced to flee their homes due to religious discrimination.
Furthermore, Rifat discussed how the CAA serves to differentiate between genuine refugees and illegal immigrants. She explained that by providing a legal pathway for persecuted minorities, the Act distinguishes between those seeking asylum for legitimate reasons and those who may have entered the country illegally.
This, she said, helps the Indian government manage the issue of illegal immigration more effectively, particularly in sensitive border areas where illegal activities such as drug trafficking can pose a threat.
Rifat also underscored the broader security benefits of the CAA. She argued that by offering citizenship to genuine refugees, the Act helps to create a safer and more stable environment within India.
It also enables the government to focus on curbing illegal immigration, which often contributes to criminal activities along the borders. According to her, the Act strengthens India’s national security by ensuring that only those with legitimate claims to asylum are granted citizenship.
One of the key points Rifat made during her address was the humanitarian nature of the CAA. She described the law as a protective measure for vulnerable minorities, shielding them from exploitation and ensuring their safety within India’s borders.
She emphasized that the Act is not meant to target any particular community, but rather to provide relief to those who have been suffering for decades due to religious persecution.
Despite the ongoing debate surrounding the CAA, Rifat argued that the law has a critical role to play in safeguarding persecuted minorities and maintaining India’s social and national stability.
She stressed that the CAA aligns with India’s broader goals of ensuring security and promoting social cohesion within the country. For Rifat, the humanitarian aspects of the Act outweigh the political controversies it has stirred.
Rifat’s support for the CAA at the UNHRC offers a different perspective on the law, highlighting its humanitarian objectives and its role in providing protection to those who need it most.
While the Act has faced criticism both domestically and internationally, Rifat’s arguments underscore its importance in addressing the needs of religious minorities fleeing persecution in neighboring countries.
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