The Rohingya refugee crisis is a humanitarian disaster that has been ongoing for decades. The Rohingya are a Muslim minority group in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) who have faced persecution and discrimination by the Myanmar government and military for years. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring countries, particularly Bangladesh.

Principle of non-refoulement

The situation has been made worse by the actions of neighbouring countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, who have been known to push back or turn away boats filled with Rohingya refugees. 

This is a clear violation of the principle of non-refoulment, which is an established principle of international law that prohibits nations from returning people to a country where they would be at risk of persecution or death.

Refugees need much more than Bangladesh offered 

Despite the dire conditions faced by the Rohingya, Bangladesh has shown appreciation by offering help to the refugees. However, the camps are still overcrowded and the refugees have no jobs and no access to education. They have also been stranded on boats and facing human traffickers. But the conditions faced by the Rohingya in refugee camps in Bangladesh are dire. The camps are overcrowded, with inadequate access to basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care. Many refugees also lack access to education and job opportunities, leaving them with little hope for the future.

A collective approach is required 

It is crucial that members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) take a collective approach to addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis. In 2016, ASEAN adopted the Bali Declaration, which affirmed the organization’s commitment to addressing the “root causes” of the refugee crisis. However, since then, little progress has been made, and the situation has only worsened with the Myanmar military since the attempted coup in 2021.

It is high time that ASEAN member states to take a more active role in addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis. This includes providing humanitarian assistance to refugees, working to resolve the underlying political and economic issues that have led to the crisis, and taking steps to ensure the safe and dignified treatment of refugees, including the principle of non-refoulment. The Rohingya people deserve nothing less.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the Rohingya refugee crisis is a humanitarian disaster that has been ongoing for decades. The Rohingya are a Muslim minority group in Myanmar who have faced persecution and discrimination by the Myanmar government and military for years. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring countries, particularly Bangladesh. Despite the dire conditions faced by the Rohingya, Bangladesh has shown appreciation by offering help to the refugees but the situation is dire and much more needs to be done. It is crucial that members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) take a collective approach to addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis. This includes providing humanitarian assistance to refugees, working to resolve the underlying political and economic issues that have led to the crisis, and taking steps to ensure the safe and dignified treatment of refugees, including the principle of non-refoulment. The Rohingya people deserve nothing less.