AN EXPANDING DIAGRAM OF RECIDIVISM OF ROHINGYA OFFENDERS IN BANGLADESH: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

The Rohingya, an ethnic Muslim minority group of Myanmar, have moved into neighboring Bangladesh as their homeland had revoked their citizenship. Despite many limitations, Bangladesh has given them shelter. The massive increase in population has created a disastrous situation in the Myanmar-Bangladesh border areas. Undocumented Rohingya people sought shelter primarily in Cox’s Bazar and the hilly areas of the south-eastern border of Bangladesh. They rely on natural resources and have easy access to the nearby forests which as a result is endangering the ecological balance and overall environmental condition of the surrounding areas. Being non-citizens logically they have no allegiance to the host country. In addition, they do not have any lawful profession to sustain their lives, which is leading them to get involved in various offences like narcotics smuggling, theft, dacoity, human trafficking, murder, deforestation, adverse possession of forest land, and various criminal activities. The Rohingya crisis may threaten the internal stability of Bangladesh in addition to bringing a humanitarian crisis. Rohingya are gradually assimilating with the locals in Cox’s Bazar and spreading throughout the country, posing a threat to Bangladesh’s national values and identity and impeding national development programs. Unfortunately, they are not solely to blame for all the crimes, local offenders are correspondingly engaged with them. This study attempts to draw the attention of the proper authorities to see the real scenario of criminality among the Rohingya and the impacts of such criminality in Bangladesh.