Protracted Rohingya Crisis in Bangladesh: Are National and Regional Security at Stake?

Abstract

The study examines the stimulating impact on national and regional security issues, steaming from concurrent major Rohingya humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh. Being a resource scarce and moderate level GDP earning country, Bangladesh cannot accommodate this huge population of 1.3 Million for indefinite time. Therefore, this study aims to analyze whether any real threat is looming at national and regional level security of Bangladesh as well as for South Asia region from this crisis by using qualitative research approach. With the theoretical account of new “Non-Traditional Security” approach, this paper attempts to explore five areas of security concerns- military, political, economic, social, and environmental emanating from Rohingya refugee crisis at all three levels of local, national and regional security. The data collection methods used in conducting the research include in-depth interviews, KII, observation like primary data collecting techniques along with extensive content analysis of secondary data. Empirical data analysis implies that there is rising concern towards internal security of Bangladesh as it converting into a protracted one in nature with passing days. Similarly many South Asian countries which sheltered Rohingyas are also in view of South Asian region’s security is at stake from different aspects. No progress has been achieved yet even though Bangladesh is trying its best to resolve the problem, which is certainly endangering its own security measures. So, the study recommends among others that more holistic regional approach is indispensable in resolving this protracted refugee crisis as soon as possible.