Bangladesh heavily burdened with Rohingyas and stranded Biharis

Dr Mustakimur Rahman

The Rohingya population, over one million individuals, has fled Myanmar due to violence and discrimination, and now live in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh with an uncertain future. As international attention wanes and repatriation seems unlikely, the issue of their long-term status in Bangladesh is increasingly urgent. Bangladesh can learn from its past, particularly the experiences of the Urdu-speaking Bihari community, many of whom still reside in the Geneva Camp, decades after the 1971 Liberation War. The journey from statelessness to integration provides invaluable lessons for approaching the future of the Rohingyas with both compassion and effectiveness.

The Biharis are an Urdu-speaking community that migrated from India to East Pakistan during the partition of India in 1947. During the 1971 war, many supported West Pakistan, resulting in significant repercussions afterwards. After Bangladesh’s establishment, many Biharis became stateless, as Pakistan refused repatriation and Bangladesh viewed them as disloyal.

Approximately 300,000 Biharis reside in makeshift camps, including the large Geneva Camp in Dhaka. Addressing their legal uncertainty can improve access to education, employment, and essential identification. Since the 2008 High Court ruling recognising Bihari children born after 1971 as Bangladeshi citizens, access to voting rights and public services has improved. While challenges remain, a foundation for inclusivity is in place, and collaboration can further empower these communities.

The Rohingya and Bihari situations share striking similarities, as both groups are stateless and displaced. Although Biharis were previously recognised as stateless, they are now citizens of Bangladesh due to a High Court ruling. The Rohingyas face restrictions on movement, limited access to education and healthcare, and uncertain legal status, along with significant public resistance to their integration.

The Rohingya community has experienced devastating expulsions from Myanmar, notably in 2017 after a military crackdown. While Bangladesh initially provided urgent shelter and advocated for their rights, the complexity of repatriation amid ongoing turmoil in Myanmar highlights the need for a sustainable approach. Insights from the Geneva Camp can guide us in supporting the Rohingya community and fostering hope during these challenging times. So, what insights can be derived from the Geneva Camp that may be applied to the context of the Rohingya community?

Lessons for a Brighter Future

The Challenge of Statelessness: The plight of the Bihari community serves as a poignant reminder that delaying repatriation is not a viable solution. Prolonged uncertainty regarding legal status can confine families in cycles of poverty and disenfranchisement for generations. Similarly, the Rohingya crisis has persisted for years, highlighting the urgent need for swift and decisive action to create lasting solutions.

Early Address of Rights is Essential: While repatriation to Myanmar remains the preferred long-term objective, interim measures should prioritise the safeguarding of rights. This encompasses access to education, the provision of identity documentation, and the establishment of regulated livelihood opportunities. Granting legal status-at least to individuals born on Bangladeshi territory-could constitute a significant component of a long-term strategy. This approach would facilitate access to education and skill development for these individuals, ultimately aiding in the reduction of poverty and crime, while making a positive contribution to the state’s economy.

Social Inclusion Requires Political Will: The integration process for the Bihari community progressed with the support of courts, political leaders, and civil society, emphasising the importance of inclusion. For the Rohingya people, a similar coalition is crucial. Local integration does not necessarily require immediate, full-scale naturalisation; it can be implemented in phases. This approach could begin with essential services such as education, healthcare, and protection of identity.

Mitigating Ghettoisation and Camp Dependency: Geneva Camp, characterised by its deplorable conditions and high population density, has come to represent systemic exclusion. The Rohingya camps are even more congested and susceptible to disasters, disease outbreaks, and the risk of radicalisation. To prevent the long-term consequences of ghettoisation, it is essential to diversify settlement options, invest in camp infrastructure, and establish pathways for mobility.

The Importance of Youth Engagement: One of the most unfortunate repercussions of the Bihari experience was the widespread sense of disillusionment among the youth, who have been systematically denied access to education and employment opportunities for decades. This disengagement from educational pursuits ultimately rendered them uneducated, frustrated, and economically disadvantaged, which in turn contributed to a rise in criminal activity. Currently, thousands of Rohingya children face a similarly dire future. According to UNICEF, over 400,000 Rohingya children are deprived of formal educational opportunities. A generation lacking access to education corresponds to a generation devoid of hope.

Navigating Political and Public Sentiments: The local integration of the Rohingya population in Bangladesh remains politically sensitive. Many citizens express concerns that granting legal status or rights to the Rohingya could lead to a larger influx of refugees and strain local resources, particularly in Cox’s Bazar. International support is crucial to address these challenges. Financial assistance for host communities, infrastructure development, and collaborative resettlement efforts with other countries in South and Southeast Asia can strike a balance between national interests and humanitarian responsibilities.

A Future Grounded in Dignity and Rights: The resolution of the Bihari case in Bangladesh, which led to partial citizenship and greater inclusion, came after decades of uncertainty. Bangladesh has a unique opportunity to address the Rohingya situation proactively and avoid repeating past mistakes. This approach does not require abandoning repatriation efforts or easing pressure on Myanmar; instead, it acknowledges that waiting is insufficient. Strategic planning, grounded in rights and dignity and informed by historical lessons, is both a moral and practical necessity.

As a nation that has historically championed human rights on a global scale and has undertaken significant regional burdens, Bangladesh has the potential to demonstrate exemplary leadership. This leadership should not be limited to offering refuge; it must also encompass the development of an inclusive future, regardless of the pace at which this inclusivity may unfold.

We must not permit another generation to grow up in conditions characterised by fences and barbed wire. The experience of the Geneva Camp serves as a poignant reminder that statelessness is not a self-resolving issue. It requires courageous political will and a spirit of compassion. The Rohingya people, mirroring the plight of the Biharis before them, are entitled to nothing less.

The writer is an Associate Professor & Chairman, Department of Law, Notre Dame University Bangladesh