Rohingya Rohingya Repatriation: A Socio-Legal Appraisal from the Registered and Unregistered Camps, Cox’s Bazar
Keywords:
Rohingya, Repatriation, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sustainable SolutionsAbstract
The Rohingyas, being subjected to decades of persecution and state-sponsored violence, fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh recurrently since 1978. However, the last Rohingya influx of 2017 has posed complex and multifaceted challenges in the repatriation drive. This research investigates the barriers surrounding repatriation, the socio-economic effects on the host community for their protracted stay, and various stakeholders’ perspectives on the feasibility of repatriation. A mixed-method approach has been used in this paper, encompassing narrative inquiries, informative interviews, focus group discussion, and participant observations through field visits to both registered and unregistered Rohingya camps, Cox’s Bazar, in 2024. The research found that lack of political will, multi-ethnic conflict, and the denial of citizenship are the fundamental barriers to sustainable repatriation. Compromised resources and services in Cox’s Bazar, disparities between camps, and lack of legal protection complicate the situation more and are potentially generating radicalization risks. Hence, this research underscores the importance of adopting a trauma-informed approach to develop a strong legal framework and social support mechanisms that ensure dignified and sustainable repatriation. The findings advocate for an expanded dialogue on refugee repatriation, while emphasizing the necessity of ethical responsibility and international cooperation in addressing the Rohingya crisis.
References
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