The Ongoing Plight of Rohingya Refugees: A Cry for Human Rights
GHRTV
03-10-2023
Alexandra Posta
East and South Asia Human Rights Researcher
Global Human Rights Defence
In the shadow of the sprawling Kutupalong refugee camp in southern Bangladesh, the echoes of injustice resound through countless stories. As we delve into the heart of Kutupalong, the world's largest refugee camp, it becomes clear that the Rohingya face not only the immediate threats of violence but a complex web of challenges that infringe upon their basic human rights.
The enormity of the refugee crisis is encapsulated in Kutupalong, a makeshift home to over 880,000 Rohingya refugees. Escaping the horrors of government pogroms in Myanmar in 2017, these stateless individuals sought refuge in a foreign land, only to find themselves confronted with a myriad of adversities. The camp, initially a beacon of compassion, now grapples with escalating violence, drug dealing, and human trafficking, exacerbating the dire situation for its inhabitants. Reports indicate that more than 40 Rohingya refugees lost their lives in 2022, with an additional 48 falling victim to violence in the first half of the current year.
The plight of the Rohingya invokes a litany of human rights violations, as outlined in international covenants such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). The persistent denial of citizenship, freedom of movement, and access to education constitutes a blatant infringement of the right to nationality, liberty, and education. The violence, perpetrated by both internal factions and external forces, contravenes the right to life and security of person, as enshrined in Article 6 of the ICCPR. Furthermore, the dire living conditions in Kutupalong, exacerbated by dwindling international support, undermine the right to an adequate standard of living, as stipulated in Article 11 of the ICESCR.
As the international community grapples with myriad crises, the Rohingya in Kutupalong stand at the precipice of despair. The urgency to address their plight cannot be overstated. It is imperative that governments, NGOs, and the broader global community come together to reaffirm their commitment to human rights principles. The Rohingya deserve more than a life confined to the margins of society; they deserve justice, dignity, and the right to return to their homeland under conditions that respect their fundamental human rights. The legacy of individuals like Mohib Ullah serves as a stark reminder that the fight for human rights persists, and it is our collective responsibility to answer that call.
SOURCES
Time. (5 September 2023). ‘There Is No Hope’: Death and Desperation Take Over the World’s Largest Refugee Camp. Available at https://time.com/6317254/kutupalong-bangladesh-rohingya-refugee-camp/.
The Irrawaddy. (7 July 2023). Rohingya Camp Gunfight Leaves Five Dead in Bangladesh. Available at https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/rohingya-camp-gunfight-leaves-five-dead-in-bangladesh.html.
HRW. (17 January 2023). Bangladesh: Rampant Police Abuse of Rohingya Refugees. Available at https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/01/17/bangladesh-rampant-police-abuse-rohingya-refugees.
