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GS Paper 3
Topics Covered: Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Context:
Indian security agencies have reported that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and its functionaries might have taken refuge in the country.
What is ARSA?
- ARSA, formerly known as Harakah al-Yakin, or ‘Faith Movement’, is currently active among the Rohingya residents in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
- It claims to be fighting for the rights of the Rohingya population in Myanmar, which were denied by the government.
What’s the issue?
The United Nations has described Rohingya as “the most persecuted minority in the world” due to the systematic discrimination they face. A tide of displaced people are seeking refuge in neighbouring countries since 2017 as they fled Myanmar with horrifying claims of gang rape, torture and murder at the hands of Myanmar’s security forces.
Who are Rohingyas?
- They are an Ethnic group, mostly Muslims. They were not granted full citizenship by Myanmar.
- They are, basically, stateless, Indo-Aryan ethnic group who reside in Rakhine State, Myanmar.
- There were an estimated 1 million Rohingya living in Myanmar before the 2016–17 crisis. An estimated 625,000 refugees from Rakhine, Myanmar, had crossed the border into Bangladesh since August 2017.
Described by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as “one of, if not the, most discriminated people in the world”.
Protection available to Rohingyas under the International Conventions:
- The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol:
They define the term ‘refugee’ and outlines the rights of refugees, as well as the legal obligations of States to protect them.
- The core principle is non-refoulement, which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
- However, the concern now is that Bangladesh is not a signatory to this convention.
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR):
Even though the refugees are foreigners in the country of asylum, by virtue of Article 2 of the ICCPR, 1966, they could enjoy the same fundamental rights and freedoms as nationals- the right to equality before the law, equal protection of the law and non-discrimination.
Insta Curious:
Know about some of the important refugee crisis across the world. Read here,
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Who are Rohingyas?
- Location of Rakhine State.
- ICJ vs International Criminal Court.
- About the ICCPR.
- About the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Mains Link:
Write a note on the Rohingya Crisis.
Sources: the Hindu.
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