An Agenda for a Dignified and Sustainable Rohingya Refugee Response in Bangladesh dangerous onward movements by sea, increasing trafficking concerns, and child labour, among others.64 Moreover, the Rohingya are a de jure stateless group as their citizenship rights in Myanmar are not recognised by law. The acknowledgement of their legal identify as stateless persons is a critical first step in addressing the structural and root causes of the Rohingya crisis and formulating effective protection and durable solutions strategies for the group. 3.2 Current protection environment in the camps In principle, the humanitarian response to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh is guided by a protection framework outlined in the Joint Response Plan. The framework comprises of four pillars aimed at securing the identity of Rohingya refugees through registration and documentation; strengthening the protection environment; addressing critical living conditions and preparing for sustainable solutions in Myanmar.65 While it is widely acknowledged as a ‘protection crisis’, the fact that the policy framework focuses on short-term temporary assistance premised on speedy repatriation, and provides no access to formal education or income generation opportunities,66 nor due regard to the current situation in Myanmar, makes it challenging to secure the rights and well-being of refugees. 3.2.1 Security measures since August 2019 Following a series of events such as the second unsuccessful repatriation attempt, killing of a Bangladeshi youth leader allegedly by a group of Rohingya, and lastly, a large rally organised by Rohingya to mark the second year of their exodus from Myanmar, Bangladeshi authorities took a series of restrictive measures in August 2019, that severely affected Rohingya refugees’ access to basic rights and constrained humanitarian access. These measures range from transfer of RRRC and camp officials known to be sympathetic to refugees and regarded highly by the humanitarian community,67 telecommunications restrictions, restricted volunteer and cash-for-work programmes, crackdowns on Rohingya civil society groups, construction of fencing, relocation to Bhasan Char, growing presence of security forces and increased surveillance and monitoring of camps, as well as bureaucratic barriers for NGO operations, including suspension of activities, increasing ad-hoc information requests and reporting requirements and complex project approvals and completion processes.68 These restrictions have been reinforced during the COVID-19 pandemic with additional temporary measures being undertaken to contain the spread of the virus through reduced humanitarian programming and staff presence. 64 2020 Joint Response Plan 2020, Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis Bangladesh, p. 57, available at https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/documents/files/jrp_2020_final_indesign_200422_12.2mb.pdf (Hereinafter, JRP 2020). See also, Navigating at the Margins: Family, Mobility, and Livelihoods amongst Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh, The Asia Foundation, Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University, August 2020, available at https://asiafoundation.org/publication/navigating-the-margins-family-mobility-and-livelihoods-amongst-rohingya-inbangladesh/ 65 Ibid, JRP 2020, p. 12. The response plan aims to achieve four strategic objectives within the protection frameworkstrengthening the protection of Rohingya refugees; delivering quality, life-saving assistance to populations in need; fostering the well-being of communities in Ukhiya and Teknaf; and working towards achieving sustainable solutions in Myanmar. 66 Ishrat Hossain, supra n. 10. 67 ICG, supra n. 33. 68 Daniel Sullivan, A Voice in their Future: The Need to Empower Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh, Refugees International, February 2020, Refugees International, available at https://static1.squarespace.com/static/506c8ea1e4b01d9450dd53f5/t/5e3b490b28c8c8206c947423/1580943632978/Ban gladesh+Report+-+February+2020+-+FINAL.pdf Act for Peace / May 2021 21