In the eighth year since their displacement, the Rohingya community continues to endure deep wounds, their suffering largely unnoticed by the world. Over a million Rohingya refugees, stranded across various camps in Bangladesh, face an uncertain future with no clear path to return home, lacking citizenship rights, and devoid of justice for the atrocities inflicted upon them. Amid this enduring state of turmoil, a concerning trend has emerged within the Rohingya diaspora, where for some individuals, the crisis has transitioned from a plea for help to a means of advancement.
What initially began as a cry for assistance has, in certain circles, transformed into a journey towards influence and authority. New organizations have emerged, statements have been issued, virtual meetings held, and funding secured. However, beneath the facade of polished websites and global conferences lies a pressing question: what tangible changes have occurred for those still confined within Cox’s Bazar?
The Rohingya crisis stands as one of the most severe tragedies of our era, stemming from long-standing systemic oppression, including the 1982 Citizenship Law that stripped the Rohingya of legal rights, and brutal military operations such as Operation Dragon King (1977) and the 2017 clearance campaign, resulting in the violent expulsion of over a million Rohingya from Myanmar. Despite the passage of time, they continue to exist as stateless and unheard individuals.
While the Myanmar regime intensifies its assaults on ethnic minorities and global attention shifts to other regions like Ukraine, Gaza, Israel, Syria, and Sudan, the plight of the Rohingya persists in neglect. The camps have transformed into sprawling slums marred by violence, drug trade, gender-based violence, and despondency. The refugees are deprived of the right to work, adequate education, freedom of movement, and face a bleak outlook.
In the absence of tangible progress, a new class of diaspora activists, NGO initiatives, international speakers, and self-proclaimed representatives have emerged to voice the concerns of the Rohingya people. They participate in summits, publish articles, and secure sponsorships. However, the authenticity, accountability, and actual impact of these actions raise significant doubts. Instead of genuine community-driven leadership, what often surfaces is a performance tailored for international consumption, exploiting the suffering for personal gain.
In Cox’s Bazar, the majority of refugees are unfamiliar with the diaspora organizations purportedly advocating on their behalf. The absence of a democratic selection process, grassroots endorsement, and the reliance on English proficiency, networking abilities, and donor connections rather than genuine ties to the communities they claim to represent raise serious concerns.
This phenomenon is not isolated to the Rohingya diaspora but mirrors similar trends in the Syrian, Palestinian, and Afghan communities, where trauma is commodified, tragedy exploited, and suffering politicized. The focus should not be on personal gain but on authentic advocacy rooted in solidarity and sacrifice.
The Rohingya struggle transcends a mere refugee crisis; it embodies a quest for identity, dignity, and justice. The denial of the Rohingya ethnic identity is not merely semantic but a deliberate act of genocide through erasure. While the junta labels the Rohingya as “illegal Bengali migrants,” even prominent figures like Aung San Suu Kyi have failed to acknowledge their existence, perpetuating the erasure campaign.
The plight of Rohingya youth in the refugee camps is marked by fear, trauma, and a lack of direction. Many educated individuals engage in community education, NGO management, and online activism but often shy away from tangible action. It is time to move beyond mere storytelling and towards strategic initiatives, empowering the Rohingya to take charge of their own liberation.
The current scenario underscores a critical need for ethical leadership within the diaspora, emphasizing transparent, community-driven advocacy, active participation of refugee voices in decision-making processes, bottom-up strategies, and accountability for those claiming to lead the Rohingya cause. International donors, media outlets, and the Rohingya community itself must reclaim their narrative from opportunistic individuals within their ranks, fostering genuine solidarity and progress towards liberation.