Context: Recently, a wooden boat carrying Rohingya refugees in the Indian Ocean capsized off the coast of Indonesian coast, bringing attention to plight of Rohingyas. According to UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) over 4,500 Rohingya refugees set off on dangerous journeys across the Bay of Bengal.
About Rohingyas
- Rohingyas are a Muslim minority community with their roots in Rakhine province of Myanmar.
- Rakhine State (formerly known as Arakan State) situated on the west coast of Myanmar on the Bay of Bengal and sharing boundaries with Chittagong division of Bangladesh to its north-western side.
- They are cultural and ethnically distinct from the majority Buddhist population on Myanmar.
- Rohingyas have been living in Myanmar for generations, but governments in Myanmar see them as illegal immigrants and have been denying them citizenship since 1982. This makes them the world's largest stateless population.
- In 2017: A large exodus of Rohingyas began following a massive violence in Rakhine province. More than 7.5 lakh Rohingyas went to Bangladesh to seek sanctuary.
- UN has described the 2017 violence as 'ethnic cleansing' and that the Myanmar government has 'genocidal' intent against Rohingyas.
Current Status of Rohingyas
Around one million Rohingyas have fled Myanmar while around 6 lakh reside in Myanmar.
- Rohingyas residing in Myanmar mostly reside in camps for internally displaced people where their movements and livelihoods are restricted.
- Rohingyas residing in Bangladesh: Around 9.6 lakhs Rohingyas reside in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Most Rohingyas live near the Myanmar border in Cox's bazaar, which has grown over the years to house some of the world's largest and most densely populated refugee camps. The condition of Rohingyas in these camps is miserable with poor supply of food, healthcare, no formal education etc. These camps are also marked by gang violence and over 60 Rohingyas have been killed in violence in these camps. (Note: Bhasan Char Island Bangladesh has decided to relocate Rohingya refugees in this island)
Sea Voyages by Rohingyas
- Considering the poor living conditions in Rohingya camps in Bangladesh and no option to return to Myanmar. Many Rohingya refugees have been undertaking dangerous journeys across the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea to reach Muslim majority countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, in search of a better life.
- A network of human traffickers has emerged in the region who charge an exorbitant amounts to transport them on small boats from Bangladesh to Indonesia. These boats are cramped with people with lack of adequate food.
- According to UN, one in eight Rohingya who take the sea route die or disappear in the route.