“International Refugee Law and the Rohingya Crisis

Abstract

The Rohingya crisis, one of the most severe humanitarian challenges in recent decades, has brought significant attention to the effectiveness and limitations of international refugee law. Originating from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the Rohingya—an ethnic and religious minority—have faced decades of systematic discrimination, statelessness, and violent persecution, culminating in mass exoduses, particularly the 2017 influx into Bangladesh. This abstract examines how international refugee law, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, applies to the plight of the Rohingya, despite Myanmar not being a signatory. It highlights the principle of non-refoulement as a core component of refugee protection, emphasizing that states cannot return individuals to a country where they face serious threats to life or freedom. Bangladesh, though not a party to the Convention, has upheld this principle by offering refuge to over a million Rohingya. The abstract also explores the gaps in legal protection, the absence of binding enforcement mechanisms, and the inadequacy of international burden-sharing. Furthermore, it underscores the need for stronger regional cooperation, durable solutions such as repatriation with safety and dignity, and greater accountability for crimes against humanity. The Rohingya crisis exemplifies the urgent need for reinforcing the global refugee protection regime and adapting it to contemporary challenges.