The Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) welcomed the “stated purpose of the CAA” to protect “some persons from persecution on religious grounds”, but raised the issue of exclusion of various sects of persecuted Muslims under the law.
“The CAA can potentially benefit thousands of migrants in an irregular situation, including refugees, who might otherwise face obstacles in obtaining protection from persecution in their countries of origin including through the grant of citizenship. This is a commendable purpose,” the plea said.
It added however that there exist “religious minorities in these countries, especially of the Muslim faith, including Ahmadia, Hazara and Shia Muslims whose situations would warrant protection on the same basis as that provided in the preferential treatment proposed by the CAA”.
The OHCHR said the CAA raised important issues with respect to international human rights law and its application to migrants, including refugees.
The CAA also raises other issues “including its compatibility in relation to the right to equality before the law and non discrimination on nationality grounds under India’s human rights obligations”, the plea said.
