The Rohingya Refugee Crisis in Bangladesh: A Call for Urgent Action to Protect Lives and Uphold Human Rights

14-07-2023

Alexandra Posta

East and South Asia Researcher

Global Human Rights Defense

The Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, particularly the world's largest camp in Cox's Bazar near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, have become increasingly unsafe, with surging violence, inadequate protection from the authorities, and a lack of security measures, posing a grave threat to the well-being and lives of the Rohingya community (Griffiths, 13 July 2023). This situation is alarming because it compromises the safety and rights of the Rohingya refugees who sought refuge in Bangladesh (Griffiths, 13 July 2023).

The Rohingya crisis originated in 2017 when the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) attacked security forces in Myanmar, triggering a brutal military crackdown and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh (LPL, 13 July 2023; HRW, 13 July 2023; Griffiths, 13 July 2023). Since then, they have been subjected to ongoing human rights violations, with at least 48 deaths recorded in the camps during the first half of 2023, surpassing the number of deaths in the previous year (LPL, 13 July 2023; HRW, 13 July 2023). There have also been cases of kidnapping, torture, sexual assault, and forced marriage among the Rohingya population (LPL, 13 July 2023).

The issues faced by Rohingya refugees in the camps are clear human rights violations. Bangladesh, as the host country, is bound by international human rights norms and provisions to protect the rights and well-being of refugees. The violations committed against the Rohingya refugees include the right to life (ICCPR article 6), freedom from torture (ICCPR article 7), freedom from arbitrary detention (ICCPR article 9) the right to security (ICCPR article 9), and protection against discrimination (ICCPR article 26), among others. The Bangladeshi authorities' failure to effectively respond to the violence and provide adequate protection, legal aid, and medical support further exacerbates the human rights abuses experienced by the Rohingya population (LPL, 13 July 2023).

Human Rights organisations are warning about the deteriorating situation in the Rohingya camps and urging the Bangladeshi government to take immediate action to protect the refugees (LPL, 13 July 2023; HRW, 13 July 2023). HRW specifically calls for increased security measures, improved access to justice and medical assistance, and international support to address the funding shortfall for humanitarian aid (LPL, 13 July 2023; HRW, 13 July 2023). It is crucial for Bangladesh to fulfil its obligations under international human rights law, ensure the safety and well-being of Rohingya refugees, and work towards a sustainable solution that respects their rights. The plight of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh demands urgent attention and concerted efforts to address the human rights crisis they face (HRW, 13 July 2013; Griffiths, 13 July 2023; LPL, 13 July 2023).

SOURCES

HRW. (13 July 2023). Bangladesh: Spiraling Violence Against Rohingya Refugees. HRW. Available at <https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/07/13/bangladesh-spiraling-violence-against-rohingya-refugees>.

James Griffiths. (13 July 2023). Violence surging in Bangladesh Rohingya refugee camps, Human Rights Watch warns. The Globe and Mail. Available at <https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-violence-surging-in-bangladesh-rohingya-refugee-camps-human-rights/>.

LPL. (13 July 2023). HRW accuses Bangladesh of failing to protect Rohingyas amid rising violence. La Prensa Latina. Available at <https://www.laprensalatina.com/hrw-accuses-bangladesh-of-failing-to-protect-rohingyas-amid-rising-violence/>.