World Refugee Day: A Mirror of Human Failure

Burma Task Force Notes Host Countries Ignoring Responsibilities.

One hundred million is an unimaginable number for most of us. Today, World Refugee Day, provides an opportunity to reflect on the international community’s many failures that have resulted in an unprecedented 100 million displaced people. The causes of displacement include war, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, displacing 14 million in the first three months of 2022. The Syrian conflict is another similarly enormous man-made disaster.

A program of the Human Rights Advocacy NGO Justice for All, Burma Task Force takes this opportunity to remind policymakers that genocide and oppression remain major drivers of displacement. Persecuted ethnic minorities like the Rohingya deserve special consideration. The military leaders of Myanmar (Burma) have led an exclusionary and violent campaign against Rohingya for decades, culminating in the slaughter and mass displacements of 2016 and 2017. By taking a soft approach and trying to encourage the Burmese government, international leaders failed to prevent the brutal 2021 coup perpetrated by the same military responsible for oppressing the Rohingya minority, burning their villages and seizing homes and lands.

Unlike 146 other nations, India and Bangladesh have failed to sign on to the 1951 Refugee Convention and consequently have failed to recognize the Rohingya as refugees, even though they are clearly survivors of genocide. Instead, Indian officials threaten Rohingya refugees with expulsion, contrary to international law. And Bangladesh has worked systematically to make life difficult for the one million refugees in its camps.

“All humanitarians must deplore the way Bangladesh has deprived over half a million Rohingya children of educational opportunities,” stated Imam Malik Mujahid, Chairman of Burma Task Force. “Though Burmese military leaders have caused this crisis, Bangladesh policies have perpetuated the impact of genocide aiming to destroy this minority Muslim population.”

Yesterday’s large rallies in the camps called for repatriation with rights and homes restored in Rakhine State, Myanmar. Bangladesh authorities must not crack down on the rally organizers. Instead, let authorities include Rohingya leadership in serious talks with National Unity Government, Arakan Army and other responsible parties. Due to its brutality, it is difficult to consider the Burmese military as a responsible party. Unfortunately, India, Russia and China continue to sell arms to this military, creating yet more mass displacement, injustice and suffering.