APRRN ADVOCACY BRIEFER-STRATEGIZING FOR ROHINGYA REFUGEE PROTECTION AND DURABLE SOLUTIONS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction

The Rohingya crisis remains one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of our time, characterized by systemic persecution, forced displacement, and protracted statelessness. Since the Myanmar military’s brutal crackdown in 2017, which led to the mass exodus of over 740,000 Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh, the situation has worsened due to continued violence, deteriorating humanitarian conditions, and inadequate international response. This document provides an overview of the current crisis, its regional implications, and the challenges facing Rohingya communities across South and Southeast Asia.

 

Background and Current Crisis

Myanmar's military regime has intensified repression since the 2021 coup, resulting in increased displacement, human rights violations, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. Over 2.6 million people are now internally displaced, and the Rohingya community continues to face severe restrictions on movement, lack of citizenship, and systematic discrimination amounting to apartheid. The rise of the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State further complicates the situation, as Rohingya civilians are caught between conflicting factions and forced recruitment efforts.

Meanwhile, neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, are grappling with the long-term impact of hosting Rohingya refugees. Many Rohingya face detention, lack of legal status, forced repatriation, and increasing hostility from host communities.

 

Regional Implications

• Bangladesh: Hosting over a million refugees, Bangladesh faces immense challenges, including funding shortages, security concerns, and worsening conditions in Cox’s Bazar camps. Efforts to relocate refugees to Bhasan Char Island have raised further concerns regarding sustainability and human rights. 
• India: With an estimated 22,500 registered Rohingya, and thousands more unregistered, Rohingya refugees in India face growing hostility, arbitrary detentions, and the threat of deportation. A lack of legal recognition leaves them highly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. 
• Malaysia: As home to the largest Rohingya population in the region outside Bangladesh, Malaysia lacks a formal refugee protection framework, leading to widespread detention, discrimination, and exclusion from legal employment and education. 
• Thailand & Indonesia: While these countries serve as key transit points, they have increasingly restricted Rohingya arrivals. Thailand has pushed back boats and detained 4 refugees in immigration centers, while Indonesia has seen rising xenophobia and misinformation campaigns that threaten its traditionally humanitarian response.

 

Thematic Concerns

1. Mental Health Crisis: Displacement, trauma, and prolonged uncertainty have led to widespread mental health challenges among Rohingya refugees. Limited access to psychological support exacerbates their distress, particularly among women, children, and survivors of violence.

2. Hate Speech and Misinformation: The Rohingya crisis is compounded by state-led and social media-driven misinformation campaigns that frame refugees as security threats, further marginalizing them and fuelling discrimination.

The Rohingya crisis remains an urgent humanitarian and political issue that demands sustained international attention and a coordinated regional response. Without meaningful intervention, Rohingya refugees will continue to face persecution, statelessness, and worsening humanitarian conditions. Addressing these challenges requires not only immediate relief efforts but also long-term political solutions to ensure the rights and dignity of the Rohingya people are upheld.

 

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