Abstract
The Rohingya, living in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, have long faced harsh treatment from the government and the predominantly Buddhist population, an issue spanning since the Second World War (Al Jazeera 2018). Consequently, they fled their homes, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and India. The Rohingya refugee influx into Bangladesh from Myanmar has persisted since the 1970s (Faye 2021). In 2017, the Rohingya refugee exodus increased dramatically, with over 300,000 individuals who were already displaced and living in Bangladesh fleeing their homes (UNICEF 2023). This led to the creation of the largest refugee camp in history, currently housing nearly one million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh (UN Women 2018). To address the Rohingya crisis, numerous scholars from around the world have published a wealth of books, articles and conference papers (Hasan et al. 2022; Swazo et al. 2020; Uddin 2021, 2022).
Edited by Professor Bulbul, Dr Md. Nazmul Islam and Md. Sajid Khan, the book showcases the expertise of its contributors. Professor Bulbul is a distinguished academic in Political Science and Public Administration, based at Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University in Turkey. His practical insights into the subject stem from his prior bureaucratic roles from 2010 to 2017. Dr Md. Nazmul Islam, a Bangladeshi citizen, also contributes significantly. Currently teaching in Turkey, he completed his PhD at the same university. Additionally, Md. Sajid Khan, a doctoral researcher at Hacettepe University in Ankara, contributes to the book’s depth.
This book, written by scholars and social activists, comprises 16 chapters that focus on the Rohingya refugee crisis. It goes beyond the conventional realms of history and politics, exploring various dimensions of the crisis. The opening chapter investigates the prehistorical Rohingya identity, including the emergence of Islam in Arakan and its subsequent spread within the Rohingya group. Arakan’s early history saw a variety of religious beliefs, with Hinduism and Buddhism being prominent, before Islam’s introduction through interactions with Muslim traders (p. 15).
Chapter 2 focuses on the acts of genocide, forced migration and forced labour perpetrated against the Rohingya population, examining these actions through the lens of international law. It assesses these actions in light of international legal frameworks and conventions, such as the Genocide Convention and international human rights law (pp. 24, 35). In Chapter 3, a descriptive approach examines refugee challenges and human trafficking in the South Asian region, focusing on the Rohingya crisis stemming from Myanmar (p. 64).
In Chapter 4, a critical analysis of Myanmar’s policy and politics towards the Rohingya is presented. The author explores the motivations, constraints and factors influencing policymaking within the government. It is notable that the ethnic dimension of the Rohingya conflict remains unrecognised by the Myanmar government (p. 92).
In Chapter 5, the focus is on the political motives of Bangladesh’s ruling parties regarding hosting the Rohingya. The author argues that the humanitarian response was driven not only by altruistic intentions but also by political calculations. The analysis spans three regimes: Ziaur Rahman in 1978, Khaleda Zia in 1991–1992 and Sheikh Hasina in 2017. The unexpected change in policy by the AL government to admit the Rohingya in 2017 proved advantageous. This shift garnered domestic and international support, aiding both domestic constituents and the international community’s attention (pp. 114, 121, 122).
Chapter 6 delves into the examination of Myanmar and foreign countries’ efforts in pursuing their respective interests in the Rakhine state. On the other hand, Chapter 7, authored by Md. Ishtiaq Ahmed Talukder, aims to determine whether the presence of the refugees has brought about positive benefits or negative consequences for Bangladesh. Chapters 8 and 9 adopt a global outlook on the crisis, scrutinising its international dimensions and the actions of India and China. In Chapter 8, the focus is on India’s response to the Rohingya refugee crisis, examining shifts in both government and non-governmental approaches. The analysis underscores that concerns over alleged Rohingya ties to terrorism and rising Islamophobia within India have led to a strategic silence on the Rohingya humanitarian crisis (p. 197).
In Chapter 10, Rohingya refugees received assistance related to education, healthcare and community centres for food distribution from both the Turkish government and non-governmental organisations. Chapter 11 examines Bangladeshi media sources’ coverage of Rohingya refugees, including the humanitarian crisis, Myanmar atrocities and repatriation challenges through content analysis. Additionally, Chapter 12 focuses on the Rohingya crisis, with The Times of India and NDTV reporting on the issue. The Indian media and government have differing stances on the crisis, highlighting security and law enforcement concerns (p. 309).
Chapter 13 highlights the persecution and discrimination faced by the Rohingya people, as well as the various techniques employed by Western countries and international organisations to address the crisis. The strategies implemented by international and local NGOs to promote social cohesion among Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are discussed in Chapter 14.
Chapter 15 discourses the Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar, including the persecution and marginalisation faced by the Rohingya Muslim community, the challenges they face in seeking refuge in other countries and potential solutions to the crisis. The last chapter of the book, Chapter 16, illustrates the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar, highlighting the problems faced by Rohingya refugees in their host countries and the responses from Myanmar, Bangladesh and the international community with potential solutions.
This book is meticulously crafted, encompassing an extensive array of regional reactions to the Rohingya crisis across China, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. This exhaustive examination has the potential to furnish readers with a sophisticated comprehension of the intricate political milieu enveloping the crisis. Moreover, its scrutiny of the Rohingya refugee predicament in Myanmar and its entwinement with the recent coup and unfolding political advancements bestow it with heightened relevance and timeliness, rendering it appealing to a broader readership vested in comprehending contemporary global affairs.
Acknowledging the scholarly merits of this book, however, it is essential to address certain limitations. First, the repeated authorship of multiple chapters may hinder the diversity and breadth of expertise. Secondly, for heightened academic rigour, integrating potential counterarguments or responding to criticisms of the presented perspectives would enhance the analysis and provide a more balanced assessment of the topics. Additionally, it should be noted that some chapters lack a clear exposition of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks underpinning the study.