The Rohingya refugee crisis is one of the most pressing humanitarian catastrophes of the 21st century, marked by violence, displacement, and a crisis of identity. This tragedy, deeply rooted in decades of systematic persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, has transcended borders and burdened neighboring nations, particularly Bangladesh. Since the massive exodus of Rohingya people in August 2017, triggered by a brutal military crackdown dubbed a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing” by the United Nations, over a million refugees have sought sanctuary in Cox’s Bazar, transforming the region into the world’s largest refugee settlement. While Bangladesh has been lauded globally for its humanitarian generosity, the prolonged presence of Rohingya refugees has revealed complex socio-economic, environmental, and security implications.
The Rohingya, a beleaguered ethno-religious minority from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, have been systematically stripped of citizenship and fundamental rights under the draconian 1982 Citizenship Law. Vilified as illegal interlopers despite ancestral roots in Myanmar, they have endured relentless persecution, culminating in the cataclysmic military onslaught of 2017 marked by massacres, sexual violence, and wholesale village destruction-igniting an unprecedented exodus.
The Rohingya crisis has caused severe environmental damage in Cox’s Bazar and turned refugee camps into hubs for crime and radicalization, straining security and law enforcement. Bangladesh’s border security is also threatened by instability in Myanmar, where the military junta’s refusal to ensure safe, dignified repatriation exacerbates the situation. Prolonged delays risk making the crisis long-term with wide regional impacts.
Although the international community has vocally condemned Myanmar’s actions, tangible progress has been paltry. Financial support from international donors has dwindled alarmingly, leaving humanitarian agencies struggling to meet even basic needs in the camps. Furthermore, while the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has begun proceedings against Myanmar for genocide, enforcement mechanisms are slow and lack binding power.
Dhaka should ardently advocate for binding international assurances regarding the safety, citizenship rights, and post-return reintegration of the Rohingya-ideally enforced through a UN-mandated peacekeeping or monitoring mission in Rakhine State. The unfettered presence of international actors-particularly development agencies and UN bodies-is indispensable for reconstructing critical infrastructure, facilitating the restitution of Rohingya lands, and ensuring rigorous human rights oversight.
Strategic engagement with ASEAN must be significantly deepened, while diplomatic leverage through multilateral platforms such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and BIMSTEC must be amplified. Additionally, fostering a regional consensus involving pivotal powers like India, China, Thailand, and Malaysia is imperative to isolate Myanmar diplomatically and morally.
A legally binding global compact with enforceable commitments and a time-bound repatriation framework is essential. A pilot repatriation program, ensuring full citizenship, protection, and reintegration, can test broader efforts. Central to this is repealing or amending Myanmar’s harsh 1982 Citizenship Law. Bangladesh and allies must demand a clear, legally binding pathway to Rohingya citizenship, supported by strong international oversight and strict timelines.
Burden-sharing is crucial; developed countries should resettle Rohingya refugees to ease pressure and show solidarity. To combat donor fatigue, global advocacy and aid accountability must improve. Bangladesh must reform camp governance with biometric registration, NGO oversight, militancy control, and law enforcement. Expanding education and vocational training is key to preventing radicalization. Sustainable planning-eco-friendly construction, reforestation, and waste management-is needed to reduce environmental harm.
Bangladesh requires a robust refugee policy, as the lack of formal status leaves Rohingya in a legal limbo. A national asylum framework aligned with international norms would improve governance and rights protection. South Asia must treat the crisis as a regional issue, institutionalizing collaborative security, intelligence sharing, and disaster response.
The Rohingya crisis is a sobering reminder of the world’s failure to protect the most vulnerable. For Bangladesh, an act of compassion has evolved into a national predicament with no easy answers. As the crisis enters its eighth year with no durable solution in sight, the need for a recalibrated, realistic, and sustainable strategy is more urgent than ever. Bangladesh cannot-and should not-be left to shoulder this burden alone. The international community must match rhetoric with resolve, action, and resources. Only through shared responsibility, sustained diplomacy, and forward-looking planning can the stateless find a future-and Bangladesh secure its stability.Bangladesh’s resolve has been exemplary, but its patience is not infinite. The clock is ticking-now is the time for bold, unwavering action and sustainable solutions before this crisis becomes an irreversible tragedy.
The writer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Noakhali Science & Technology University
