I M M I G R ATIO N L AW, L EG AL STAT US, AND D O C U MENTATI O N
Cabinet Division Notifications:
Notification No. 3.00.0000.522.125.93.16.47 dated
26 January 2017
Notification No. 04.00.0000.522.125.04.18-129
dated 13 November 2019
S UMMARY
These notices issued by the Cabinet Division instruct local authorities to form committees in Chittagong,
Cox’s Bazar, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), and subsequently in all districts of Bangladesh, to
“Identify Illegal Immigrants of Myanmar (Rohingya)” living in Bangladesh beyond the camps in Cox’s Bazar
and to arrange for their return to the camps.19
AP PL ICAB IL IT Y TO RO H I NGYA
The Notification dated January 2017 applies exclusively to Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, and the CHT. The
Notification dated November 2019 instructs that similar committees be formed at the district and upazila level
in the remaining districts of Bangladesh.
P ROTECTIO N N OT ES
These notifications do not make reference to any lawful order under which Rohingya refugees found outside of
the camps in Cox’s Bazar are to be forced to return to them, instead referring only vaguely to a “designated area”
from which Rohingya individuals should not be allowed to leave.
It remains unclear whether or not the GoB has issued orders under Section 3.2.e.i of the Foreigners Act to
require that members of the Rohingya community reside and remain within the camps.
19
BE YOND REFU GE: ADVANCING LEG AL PROTECTIONS FOR ROHINGYA C OMMUNITIES IN BANGL ADESH