Towards a Model Law for Displaced Persons in Bangladesh

Funded by The Asia Foundation (TAF) and Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung), this project aims to produce a Model Law for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

Background: Bangladesh has historically provided refuge to Rohingya individuals fleeing persecution in Myanmar, with significant waves of displacement occurring over the past four decades. The most recent crisis in 2017 marked a substantial influx, resulting in a protracted refugee situation. Since Bangladesh is not a state party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, lacks formal legislation pertaining to refugee rights, and relies on ad hoc agreements and frameworks for protection, it leaves Rohingya refugees in a state of perpetual precarity. The existing framework, comprising various agreements, national strategies, and international partnerships, offers some degree of protection but falls short of addressing the long-term needs and rights of Rohingya refugees. Moreover, the reduction in international funding exacerbates the challenges faced by refugees and the host country. Recognizing the inadequacy of the current approach, there is a compelling argument for implementing a Model Law for Refugees in Bangladesh. Such legislation would aim to provide Rohingya refugees with judicially enforceable rights, thereby reducing their precarious status and ensuring comprehensive protection. In essence, the urgency for a model law stems from the prolonged presence of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and the limitations of the existing ad hoc framework. By enacting dedicated legislation, Bangladesh, by putting on the table its wealth of experience hosting refugees, can enhance the legal protections afforded to refugees and address the long-term needs of refugees and the host community.