Upholding Justice and Dignity: The Ongoing Plight of Rohingya Refugees

23-08-2023

Alexandra Posta

East and South Asia Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

In a grim reminder of the persistent challenges faced by the Rohingya refugees, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently highlighted that approximately one million Rohingya refugees residing in Bangladesh continue to live in a state of uncertainty, grappling with the haunting memories of mass atrocities and seeking a safe return to their homeland. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023)

The Rohingya crisis, sparked by Myanmar military's campaign of violence in 2017, remains a harrowing tale of injustice, displacement, and a struggle for survival. Since the tragic events that unfolded on August 25, 2017, when the Myanmar military unleashed a wave of mass atrocities in the Rakhine State, more than 700,000 Rohingya refugees have sought refuge in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Shia Waves, 22 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) They joined the ranks of hundreds of thousands who were already living in refugee camps or within local communities, all bearing witness to the horrors of displacement and deprivation. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Shia Waves, 22 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) But the tragedy doesn't end there. An additional 600,000 Rohingya remain trapped within Myanmar's borders, subjected to a system of apartheid imposed by the junta authorities. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) Denied their basic rights and facing oppression, they stand as a living testament to the depths of human suffering. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023)

The plight of the Rohingya refugees serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of upholding human rights on a global scale. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Shia Waves, 22 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) The systematic campaign of violence and oppression against the Rohingya population by Myanmar's military not only amounts to crimes against humanity but also flagrantly violates fundamental human rights enshrined in international law. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Shia Waves, 22 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) Specifically, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), in its Article 3, proclaims that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023) Furthermore, Article 9 emphasizes that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile, directly denouncing the abuses faced by the Rohingya community. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023) Additionally, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) underscores the rights of children, including those who are Rohingya, to protection from violence, exploitation, and abuse.

In the face of this ongoing humanitarian crisis, Human Rights Watch has raised its voice to underscore the dire situation faced by Rohingya refugees. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) The organization has criticized the lack of action from the United Nations Security Council, which has failed to hold Myanmar's military leaders accountable for their heinous crimes, including genocide and crimes against humanity. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Shia Waves, 22 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) HRW's Asia researcher, Shayna Bauchner, poignantly described the situation, stating that the Rohingya on both sides of the Myanmar-Bangladesh border are ensnared in a stateless purgatory, their basic rights denied, their hopes for justice dwindling, and their yearning to return home seemingly out of reach. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) The organization's message is clear: the international community must not remain indifferent to their plight. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023)

The international community's commitment to human rights demands an urgent response to alleviate the suffering of the Rohingya refugees and to hold accountable those responsible for these gross violations, safeguarding the dignity and rights of every individual affected. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) To address this crisis, the Human Rights Watch implores governments and donors to step up their efforts. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) Urgent funding and increased pressure on governments are vital to meet the needs of Rohingya refugees, whose lives are marred by malnutrition, disease, and desperation due to the funding shortfall in the 2023 UN Joint Response Plan. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) The organization advocates for substantive actions to be taken, including the implementation of a global arms embargo, the referral of Myanmar's situation to the International Criminal Court, and the imposition of targeted sanctions on junta leadership and military-owned companies. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) Additionally, HRW emphasizes that building the conditions for the safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees hinges upon establishing a rights-respecting civilian rule in Myanmar and ensuring justice for past atrocities. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023)

As the Rohingya refugees continue to endure the hardships of displacement and oppression, the global community must unite to champion their cause. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) The words of Human Rights Watch echo loudly: the journey towards justice and dignity for the Rohingya requires a collective effort. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023) Governments, donors, and international bodies must heed the call, standing together to ensure that the darkness of their past is replaced by a future characterized by justice, human rights, and compassion. (New Age Bangladesh, 23 August 2023, Dhaka Tribune, 21 August 2023)

SOURCES

New Age Bangladesh. (23 August 2023). UN fails to hold Myanmar generals accountable for genocide against Rohingyas: HRW. New Age Bangladesh. Available at https://www.newagebd.net/article/210025/un-fails-to-hold-myanmar-generals-accountable-for-genocide-against-rohingyas-hrw.

Shia Waves. (22 August 2023). Human Rights Watch: Myanmar’s displaced Muslims face “poor chance” of returning home. Shia Waves. Available at https://shiawaves.com/english/news/95833-human-rights-watch-myanmars-displaced-muslims-face-poor-chance-of-returning-home/.

Dhaka Tribune. (21 August 2023). HRW: Plight of one million Rohingya refugees largely ignored. Dhaka Tribune. Available at https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/rohingya-crisis/323114/hrw-plight-of-one-million-rohingya-refugees.