We must not forget the helpless Rohingyas

Barrister Solaiman Tushar :
According to Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Everyone has the right to a nationality. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.”
The Rohingya Muslims were born in Myanmar. Myanmar is their country of origin. They have been living in Myanmar for years; but unfortunately they have been expelled from their own country. At this moment, they don’t have any country, no right to citizenship. Millions of Rohingyas have taken refuge in Bangladesh to save their lives, but they are leading inhumane lives. They have no right to education. No opportunity to work. They have to look for the help of the Bangladesh government or other organizations to survive.
But once they had wealth in Myanmar. Their homes were in Myanmar, but they had to take shelter in Bangladesh.
Rohingya Muslims actively participated in the Myanmar independence movement against the British. But everything turned upside down due to the Citizenship Act of 1982. Three types of citizenship are mentioned in that law. Rohingyas are not recognized in it. As a result, the Rohingyas became subjugated within the country. Torture on them increased. Rohingya Muslims have been victims of extreme injustice by the military rule in Myanmar for a long time. All plans are made to eliminate them. They were killed. Their houses have been burnt. Assets have been taken away.
The persecution of Rohingya Muslims is increasing. Although the international community is talking, it is not putting much pressure on Myanmar. As a result, Myanmar’s junta government is not taking any action.
Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr. AK Abdul Momen said that although everyone sympathizes with the Rohingya issue, no one is providing proper assistance to bring them back to their country. The Minister made this comment at the Bangabandhu Lecture Series at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on 12 February 2023. The foreign minister said that many countries have imposed sanctions on Myanmar, but continue to do business with them and invest there. This issue needs to be resolved multilaterally. Rohingyas were brutally attacked in 2017. Numerous Rohingyas were victims of genocide. Houses are burnt. Women are raped. The Rohingya issue has now become an international crisis. Rohingya refugee problem must be eliminated to ensure a peaceful situation in South Asia. Justice for Rohingya genocide must be ensured. If necessary, a special tribunal should be formed by making a special resolution in the UN Security Council. Because according to Article 10 of the Treaty of Rome, it is not possible to ensure the justice of the Rohingya genocide in the current law. There is no option but need a special resolution of the UN Security Council to ensure justice for the Rohingya genocide. The international community should come forward to help the Rohingya Muslims return safely to their own country. Pressure must be created on Myanmar Junta to back all rights of Rohingyas in no time. No nation can keep silent in regard to the responsibility of protecting the human rights in Myanmar violated by its military dictator.
On the other hand, the Rohingyas who have been given shelter by the Bangladesh government must ensure the minimum rights. They should be educated. Ensure right to work. The international community must come forward to meet the basic needs of the large number of Rohingya people. The Rohingyas are human being. As a human being we should stand with the Rohingya people. We should raise our voice to ensure their rights.

(The author is a member of The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, and member of Dhaka Bar Association).