For nearly seven years, Bangladesh has carried the weight of hosting more than a million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar’s Rakhine State following brutal military crackdowns. Now, Dhaka is intensifying its demand for justice, accountability, and above all, a guaranteed safe return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. The plight of the Rohingya remains one of the most pressing humanitarian and geopolitical challenges in South and Southeast Asia, with ripples reaching far beyond the region.
This crisis is not merely about displacement—it is about statelessness, human rights abuses, and the urgent question of whether the international community will act decisively to prevent further suffering.
The Rohingya Crisis: A Brief Background
The Rohingya are a Muslim ethnic minority from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, historically marginalized and denied citizenship under Myanmar’s 1982 Citizenship Law. Systematic discrimination has long rendered them stateless, restricting their rights to education, healthcare, and freedom of movement.
The situation escalated dramatically in August 2017, when a violent military crackdown forced over 740,000 Rohingya to flee across the border into Bangladesh. Eyewitness accounts and UN investigations revealed mass killings, rape, and arson—acts that the United Nations later described as having “genocidal intent.”
Today, more than 1.1 million Rohingya refugees live in sprawling camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, making it the world’s largest refugee settlement.
Dhaka’s Stand: Justice and Safe Repatriation
Bangladesh’s government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has consistently emphasized two parallel goals:
Accountability for atrocities committed against the Rohingya in Myanmar.
A sustainable, safe, and voluntary repatriation process.
Dhaka argues that without justice, the cycle of violence will continue, and without guarantees of safety, Rohingya refugees cannot realistically return home.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud recently stated:
“Bangladesh has shown extraordinary patience and generosity, but the solution lies in Myanmar. The Rohingya must return with dignity, security, and recognition of their rights.”
Why Justice Matters
Justice is not symbolic—it is central to building confidence among the Rohingya that Myanmar will protect them upon return. International courts have already taken steps:
In 2019, The Gambia filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Myanmar of genocide against the Rohingya.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened investigations into crimes against humanity linked to the forced deportations into Bangladesh.
But progress has been slow, and many Rohingya in the camps feel abandoned. Justice, Dhaka argues, is not optional—it is the only way to build a framework where safe repatriation can take place.
Challenges Facing Repatriation
Despite agreements between Bangladesh and Myanmar, no large-scale repatriation has occurred. Multiple attempts failed because:
Lack of citizenship rights: Myanmar still refuses to recognize Rohingya as citizens.
Security concerns: Refugees fear renewed violence if they return.
Absence of international guarantees: No credible monitoring mechanism exists to ensure safety.
Political instability in Myanmar: Since the 2021 military coup, the junta’s willingness and capacity to negotiate have weakened.
As a Rohingya refugee, Nur Begum, told aid workers:
“How can we return to a land where we have no rights, no homes, and no security? Without guarantees, return means death.”
Bangladesh’s Burden
Hosting more than a million refugees has placed enormous pressure on Bangladesh’s resources.
Economic strain: The annual cost of maintaining Rohingya camps runs into billions of dollars.
Environmental damage: Deforestation and land degradation around Cox’s Bazar have accelerated.
Social tensions: Local communities often feel displaced and frustrated, competing with refugees for jobs and resources.
Security risks: Reports of criminal networks and militant recruitment inside the camps have raised alarms.
Bangladesh insists that while it has shown remarkable generosity, the international community must share the responsibility.
The International Community’s Response
Global responses have been mixed—plenty of sympathy, but limited action.
United Nations: Provides humanitarian support but struggles with funding shortfalls.
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): Limited intervention, often criticized for being too cautious.
Western powers: The U.S., EU, and others have imposed sanctions on Myanmar’s generals but stopped short of stronger measures.
China and Russia: Both continue to shield Myanmar’s junta diplomatically, complicating consensus at the UN Security Council.
This geopolitical deadlock leaves Bangladesh feeling isolated.
Safe Return: What Does It Mean?
Dhaka stresses that “safe return” is not just about physical relocation. It involves:
- Full citizenship rights for Rohingya.
- International monitoring of repatriation.
- Restoration of homes and villages destroyed during military crackdowns.
- Assurance of security, dignity, and freedom of movement.
- Without these guarantees, any repatriation risks becoming another cycle of displacement.
Humanitarian Stories: Lives in Limbo
Walking through Cox’s Bazar, one is struck by the scale of human suffering. Makeshift bamboo shelters stretch endlessly, crowded with families who dream of going home.
Mohammad Idris, a father of four, shared his perspective:
“We did not leave Myanmar because we wanted to. We left because soldiers burned our village. We want to return, but only if our children can go to school without fear.”
This longing for home, mixed with deep fear, defines the Rohingya experience.
Regional Security Concerns
The crisis also carries significant security implications:
Militant groups may exploit refugee frustrations to recruit fighters.
Drug trafficking networks operate across the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, using refugee camps as transit hubs.
Cross-border instability threatens not just Bangladesh and Myanmar but the wider Bay of Bengal region.
Dhaka argues that resolving the Rohingya crisis is essential to ensuring long-term stability in South Asia.
The Role of Justice in Rebuilding Trust
Justice is more than punishment—it is about restoring dignity. For the Rohingya, recognition of their suffering is key.
Dhaka has urged international courts to accelerate proceedings and has called for a global coalition to pressure Myanmar’s junta into compliance. Experts say justice mechanisms also deter future atrocities.
As UN Secretary-General António Guterres once noted:
“Accountability is not just about the past—it is about ensuring a safer future.”
Pathways to a Solution
- Several strategies could help:
- Strengthening International Pressure on Myanmar
- Coordinated sanctions targeting military revenue sources.
- Diplomatic isolation of the junta.
- Internationally Monitored Repatriation
- Deployment of UN peacekeepers or monitors in Rakhine State.
- Guarantees of citizenship and rights.
- Increased Humanitarian Funding
- Addressing severe funding gaps in UN operations in Bangladesh.
- Supporting education and skill-building for refugees.
- Regional Diplomacy
- Engaging ASEAN more directly in resolving the crisis.
- Encouraging India and China to play constructive roles.
The Roadblocks Ahead
Yet, obstacles remain significant. Myanmar’s military junta shows little willingness to compromise. International unity is fractured. Refugee fatigue in Bangladesh is growing.
The coming years may decide whether the Rohingya crisis becomes a permanent wound in the global humanitarian landscape or a case study in collective action.
FAQs
Why did the Rohingya flee Myanmar?
The Rohingya fled Myanmar after a brutal military crackdown in 2017, which involved killings, rapes, and village burnings, forcing over 740,000 people into Bangladesh.
How many Rohingya refugees are currently in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh hosts over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees, primarily in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
What does Bangladesh mean by “safe return”?
Safe return means voluntary repatriation with guarantees of citizenship, security, dignity, and international monitoring in Myanmar.
Has any repatriation happened so far?
Attempts have been made, but no large-scale repatriation has occurred due to lack of safety guarantees and Myanmar’s refusal to recognize Rohingya rights.
What role does the international community play?
The UN and aid agencies provide humanitarian support, while international courts pursue accountability. However, geopolitical divisions hinder decisive action.
Why is justice important for the Rohingya crisis?
Justice ensures accountability for atrocities, restores dignity, and builds confidence among refugees that returning to Myanmar will not mean renewed persecution.
Conclusion
The Rohingya crisis is not just a refugee issue—it is a test of global resolve, human rights, and justice. By demanding justice and safe return, Dhaka is highlighting the core truth: without accountability and guarantees, there can be no lasting solution.
Bangladesh has borne a burden that should have been shared. The responsibility now lies with the international community to ensure that one of the world’s most persecuted minorities can return home with dignity, safety, and a future.
The question remains—will the world act, or will the Rohingya remain trapped in a cycle of statelessness and despair?
