The Rohingya Refugee Crisis
Descriptive Summary of the Challenge
Introduction
The Rohingya refugee crisis is one of the worst humanitarian problems ever witnessed. The refugee crisis was caused by violence in Rakhine state in August 2017 after the government launched an operation to remove illegal immigrants. As a result, more than 706,000 Rohingya refugees fled violence crossing over to Bangladesh. Currently, 900,000 refugees live in Cox Bazar, one of the most populous refugee camp in the world. Many of these refugees are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance[1]. Most of the refugees living in Bangladesh require assistance. They continue to be traumatized, and those with injuries caused by gunshots and landmines needs immediate medical attention[2]. The rapid movement and the continuous influx of refugees crossing the border to the neighboring countries have put a massive strain on the host countries and the surrounding communities.
What is the problem?
The Rohingya people have remained stateless for a long time. These minority groups are mostly Muslims and have been discriminated against by the Myanmar government. The recent events have caused more desolation to this group. The Rohingya people practice a variation of Sunni Islam, which means they differ from the dominant Myanmar, who are mostly Buddhist[3]. Before the crisis erupted, more than one million Rohingyas lived in Myanmar, specifically in Rakhine State. The group can trace its roots during the early fifteenth century when thousands of Muslims migrated to Myanmar from the Arkan Kingdom[4]. For a long time, the Rakhine state was governed by British Indians before they gained independence in 1948. The successive governments renamed the state but refused to recognize the Rohingya people[5].They were considered illegal immigrants from Bangladesh even though many of them have lived in Myanmar for several decades.
Why is it a Challenge?
Discriminatory policies by the Myanmar government have perpetrated violence in the region. The government has refused to grant Rohingya citizenship. As a result, many of them have no legal documentation, which makes them stateless[6]. Rohingya statelessness is a crisis that began in 1948, especially after the introduction of citizenship laws that failed to recognize their existence. Besides, when the military junta took over power in 1962, they introduced laws that denied the Rohingya full citizenship. Until recently, the Rohingya could only register as temporary citizens[7]. Currently, both Rohingya and non-Rohingya hold white cards, which gives them limited rights. However, they are yet to be recognized as citizens of Myanmar.
Who does it affect?
The Rohingya people are the most affected population in Myanmar because of institutionalized discrimination. For a long time, the Rohingya peoples’ rights have been limited by various restrictions such as marriage, employment, education, religious choice, and freedom of movement. For example, Rohingya couples living in northern towns such as Buthiduang are permitted to have only two children[8]. Additionally, Rohingya couples need to seek permission to marry, and before being granted, the couples are required to provide photos of the bride not wearing a headscarf and also photos of the groom with shavedhead[9]. Such practices conflict with Muslim customs.
Myanmar government recently launched an operation to displace Rohingya ethnic minorities who were considered illegal occupants. The operation included mass arrest, violence, and persecution of members of Rohingya communities living in Rakhine state[10]. As a result, many have been forced to cross to Bangladesh for safety. These events have since compelled the Rohingya community living in Myanmar to flee their homes with others crossing the sea, reaching Indonesia, Malaysia, and even Thailand.
What is being done to address the challenge?
Since the beginning of the Myanmar refugee crisis, many groups have expressed solidarity with the Rohingya people. Protesters gathered in major cities in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Thailand to condemn the violence. Bangladesh and neighboring counties affected by the crisis called for Myanmar authorities to stop the operation and bring an end to the violence. Authorities in Bangladesh and Myanmar have held discussions on how to repatriate Rohingya refugees. However, their efforts have been met with resistance[11]. Several plans have been finalized to repatriate thousands of Myanmar refugees, but none of the immigrants are willing to return to Myanmar.
What are states doing?
Several states have taken drastic action to end the violence in Myanmar. For example, Gambia acted on behalf of the seven-nation organization of Islamic cooperation by filling an international lawsuit against Myanmar at the international court of justice[12]. The court compelled the Myanmar government to take emergency measures to protect Rohingya from violence. The international criminal court (ICC) launched an investigation of atrocities in November 2019. Furthermore, the United Nations established a fact-finding mission and recommended various sanctions against the Myanmar government[13]. Many states have taken action to put an end to the violence in Myanmar without finding a lasting solution.
What are non-state actors doing?
Non-governmental organizations have played a crucial role in any crisis. They have pioneered not only new norms but also facilitated peace and restoration of justice worldwide. In regards to the Rohingya crisis, The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR) and other international donors have partnered with the Bangladesh government to respond to the massive humanitarian needs[14]. Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) continues to offer humanitarian medical assistance to Rohingya living in makeshift camps. However, the influx of refugees means limited supplies; many of the affected refugees live in a dire state because they cannot access decent shelter, clean water, and food. Advocacy groups such as a human rights watch, Amnesty International, continue to pressure the various government to preside the Myanmar government to stop the violence[15]. All these measures by non-state actors have since eased the situation in Myanmar.
Are current solutions working? If not, why?
The current plans for repatriation have been met with resistance since the Myanmar government is not committed to the demands made by the Rohingya refugees. Most refugees have expressed the desire to return home, but with specific demands, these include justice for the affected individuals and permanent citizenship[16]. However, such commitment is currently lacking and might not materialize soon.
Suggest Policy Solutions to the Challenge
One of the suggested solutions to address this refugee crisis is resettlement. Many countries, including Canada, have expressed interest in hosting Rohingya refugees, mainly from Bangladesh. When properly managed, the resettlement program is an ideal solution. More than 150,000 Rohingya refugees reside in Malaysia as permanent citizens with the support of international organizations such as the United Nations. Rohingya refugees can be resettled in several countries who have expressed interest in hosting them. Resettlement is the best solution to ease the pressure from countries hosting refugees more so Bangladesh.
Bibliography
Davies, Thomas Richard. “Understanding non-governmental organizations in world politics: the
promise and pitfalls of the early ‘science of internationalism.'” European journal of
international relations 23, no. 4 (2017): 884-905.
Kader, Mohammad Fazlul, and Anwar Hossain Choudhury. “Historical Background of The
Rohingya Refugee Crisis and The Implication of Their Statelessness.” International
Journal of Social Sciences and Economic Review (2019): 8-15.
Lewis, David. “Humanitarianism, civil society and the Rohingya refugee crisis in
Bangladesh.” Third World Quarterly 40, no. 10 (2019): 1884-1902.
[1]Lewis, David. “Humanitarianism, civil society and the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh.” Third World Quarterly 40, no. 10 (2019): 1884-1902.
[2] Ibid., 1887
[3]Kader, Mohammad Fazlul, and Anwar Hossain Choudhury. “Historical Background of the Rohingya Refugee Crisis and The Implication of Their Statelessness.” International Journal of Social Sciences and Economic Review (2019): 8-15.
[4]Kader, Mohammad Fazlul, and Anwar Hossain Choudhury. “Historical Background of the Rohingya Refugee Crisis and The Implication of Their Statelessness.” International Journal of Social Sciences and Economic Review (2019): 8-15.
[5] Ibid., 11
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8]Kader, Mohammad Fazlul, and Anwar Hossain Choudhury. “Historical Background of the Rohingya Refugee Crisis and The Implication of Their Statelessness.” International Journal of Social Sciences and Economic Review (2019): 8-15.
[9] Ibid., 13
[10]Lewis, David. “Humanitarianism, civil society and the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh.” Third World Quarterly 40, no. 10 (2019): 1884-1902.
[11]Lewis, David. “Humanitarianism, civil society and the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh.” Third World Quarterly 40, no. 10 (2019): 1884-1902.
[12]Davies, Thomas Richard. “Understanding non-governmental organizations in world politics: the promise and pitfalls of the early ‘science of internationalism.'” European journal of international relations 23, no. 4 (2017): 884-905
[13] Ibid., 886
[14]Davies, Thomas Richard. “Understanding non-governmental organizations in world politics: the promise and pitfalls of the early ‘science of internationalism.'” European journal of international relations 23, no. 4 (2017): 884-905
[15] Ibid 888
[16]Lewis, David. “Humanitarianism, civil society and the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh.” Third World Quarterly 40, no. 10 (2019): 1884-1902.