An Agenda for a Dignified and Sustainable Rohingya Refugee Response in Bangladesh
Together, these restrictions highlight an increasing trend towards securitisation of the Rohingya
refugee response.69 These are demonstrated by a sharp policy focus on national security and
expedited returns to Myanmar. These restrictive policies amidst rising insecurity in the camps, are
fueling negative public attitudes towards Rohingya and escalating tensions with host communities.
August 2019:
•Failed repatriation attempt
•Large peaceful rally to mark 2nd
year of exodus
•Bangladeshi youth leader killed
allegedly by Rohingya men in
Teknaf
Dec 2020-Apr 2021:
•Relocation of refugees to
Bhasan Char begins (18,000 as
of Apr 2021)
•Jan-Mar 2021: 2 major fire
incidents
•Feb 2021: Government
restricts Rohingya volunteer
and cash-based programmes
Key Protection Impacts:
Reduced humanitarian space
and operational constraints
Sept. 2019:
•Transfer of RRRC and 7 CiCs
•Suspension of NGO activities
•Greater Scrutiny of NGOs and
Rohingya CSOs
•Telecommunications
restrictions
•Restrictions on volunteer and
cash-based programmes
Restrictions on volunteer and
cash-based assistance
Barbed-wire fencing
Relocation to Bhasan Char
Aug-Oct 2020:
•Aug 2020:
telecommunications restored,
but with connectivity issues
•Sep 2020: RRRC transferred
•Oct 2020: violent clashes btw
rival Rohingya groups, 8
deaths, hundreds displaced
Secondary protection impacts
of COVID-19
Oct-Nov 2019:
•Collection of lists by Majhis
for relocation to Bhasan Char
•Construction of barbed-wire
fencing begins
Mar-Jul 2020:
•COVID-19 restrictions:
humanitarian footprint
reduced by 75-80%
•May2020: 306 Rohingya
rescued at sea tranferred to
Bhasan Char
•July 2020: Armed police
deployed for camp security and
surveillance
3.2.1.1 Telecommunications restrictions
Due to their lack of legal status as refugees in Bangladesh, Rohingya refugees do not have the
necessary identity documents to purchase local SIM cards. They face difficulties in accessing
69 Dylan Driscoll,
Bangladesh Rohingya crisis -Managing risks in securitisation of Refugees, K4D Help Desk Report, 20 October
2017, available at https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/224-Managing-risks-in-securitisation-ofrefugees.pdf
22
Act for Peace / May 2021