Webinar: The Rohingya Crisis: Three Years On

Claire Smith, Ellen Stensrud, Researcher, Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies, Rudabeh Shahid, Susannah Williams, Department of Politics, University of York and Chair: Gareth Price, Senior Research Fellow, Asia-Pacific Programme, Chatham House discuss The Rohingya Crisis: Three Years On

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It has been three years since a military-led crackdown forced more than 740,000 Rohingya to flee across the border into Bangladesh to escape collective punishment and violence in Myanmar. Most refugees have sought shelter in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district, where access to clean water is limited, sanitation facilities are lacking, and due to overcrowding, social distancing is impossible. While the number of reported COVID-19 cases has so far been relatively low, testing capacity remains limited and anecdotal reports from humanitarians suggest that COVID-19 has spread extensively through the refugee camps and the Bangladeshi host community.

In this webinar, the speakers will examine the current situation of the Rohingya people and assess the threat that the outbreak of COVID-19 poses to the health and human rights of refugees and displaced people. The speakers will also consider the different approaches taken by neighbouring states, regional and international organizations in responding to the crisis.

What can be done to address the needs of refugees in the short term and how can fundamental human rights be restored and protected during the time of COVID-19? What aid provision has been successfully delivered within Rakhine State and in what ways? Ahead of elections in Myanmar in November, how can the international community persuade the Myanmarese government into positive action? And what would a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis look like and what are the competing views over how such a solution should be delivered?

This event is held in partnership with The Atlantic Council.