Myanmar's Changing Political and Security Context and Rohingya Repatriation
| Dates: | 18 June 2024 |
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| Times: | 13:00 - 14:30 |
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| What is it: | Lecture |
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| Organiser: | Global Development Institute |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, External researchers, Adults, Current University students |
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Guest lecture with Professor Sk. Tawfique M. Haque, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Director of the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) at North South University, Bangladesh.
Lecture abstract:
The ongoing civil war in Myanmar has initially ignited by the military junta's overthrow of a democratically elected government in 2021. Currently, the Arakan Army, along with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army—operating together under the name of the Three Brotherhood Alliance—has significantly occupied land in different parts of Myanmar. The Arakan Army controls the entire border with Bangladesh in Rakhine State. Myanmar's strategic geopolitical position has drawn the attention of regional and global powers. India is particularly interested in Myanmar for logistical purposes related to its northeastern states, while China views Myanmar as crucial for its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Additionally, the United States seeks to maintain its influence in the Indo-Pacific region, further complicating the political landscape.
The unstable political landscape in Rakhine State has forcibly displaced over 1.2 million Rohingya to Bangladesh. Repatriation of the Rohingya, coupled with the recognition of their citizenship and rights in Myanmar, is widely regarded as the most viable long-term solution. The current de facto control of Rakhine State by the Arakan Army, juxtaposed with the central power held by the junta, exacerbates the complexities of immediate repatriation efforts. Given the protracted nature of potential repatriation, short-term strategies must focus on empowering the Rohingya community and alleviating the burden on Bangladesh. Providing the Rohingya with essential skills and establishing specialized economic zones for their employment can foster self-reliance and contribute to the host nation's economy. This approach not only enhances the livelihoods of the Rohingya but also offers a pragmatic interim solution until conditions for safe and voluntary repatriation are met.
Bio:
Professor Sk. Tawfique M. Haque is the Dean of School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Director of the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) at North South University, Bangladesh. He has over 22 years teaching experiences in Bangladesh, Norway and Nepal in the field of Social Sciences. His area of research interest covers migration and refugee crisis, climate change, geopolitics, China and South Asia studies, democratic institutions, and development management. He has published 7 books, 13 book chapters, and several scientific research papers. His latest edited volume titled The Displaced Rohingyas: A Tale of a Vulnerable Community has been published by Routledge in August 2023. He has twenty-eight years of wide-ranging experience in managing developmental, and educational projects.
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