Rohingya Tragedy: Human Values ​​Must Be Above All

There is no suffering more painful than when humanity is ignored, as experienced by the Rohingya. This tragedy is a clear example of neglect of human rights. The Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, have suffered serious human rights violations. In 2017, armed attacks forced thousands of Rohingya to flee Rakhine State to Bangladesh. More than 960,000 people are now sheltering in Cox Bazar, the world’s largest refugee camp (UNHCR, 2023).

The Rohingya crisis is a humanitarian tragedy and a reflection of the international community’s failure to respond to human rights violations. They experienced mass murder, rape and forced eviction. International aid is not enough to address the escalation of conflict and suffering. The Myanmar government is making the situation worse by refusing to recognize the Rohingya as citizens, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty.

Rohingya are practically not recognized as citizens under Myanmar’s 1982 Citizenship Law, so they do not have official citizenship status. The 2017 atrocities were the result of systemic state oppression and discrimination against the Rohingya (Human Rights Watch, 2022). They fled to save themselves but faced obstacles in getting proper protection.

A Serious Human Tragedy

Human Rights are fundamental rights for every individual, covering aspects of political, legal, economic, social, and cultural life. These rights are basic needs that must be provided without discrimination of ethnicity, religion or gender, in accordance with Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948. This article confirms that every individual is entitled to all the rights and freedoms in the declaration without discrimination (ONCHR).

Serious human rights violations violate universal obligations in international law and are the responsibility of states. This can happen either due to state negligence or active actions that violate human rights principles. One example is the treatment of the Rohingya ethnic group in Myanmar, which includes massacres, mass rape, arbitrary detention, and persecution based on ethnicity and religion (Arifin & Lestari, 2019; Yuliartini & Mangku, 2019).

The Rohingya tragedy, categorized as a crime of genocide by the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, highlights the importance of respecting and upholding human rights. Reports from the High Commission for Human Rights and the UN note various serious violations against the Rohingya ethnic group, demanding accountability and legal action against the Myanmar government.

Human Values ​​Must Be Above All

In facing the Rohingya tragedy, the international community must unite to prioritize humanity. A firm and coordinated response is needed to ensure the security, welfare and human rights of the Rohingya. Without concrete action, they will continue to be marginalized in global policy, adding to the tragic nature of this humanitarian story.

Recognizing the essence of humanity means respecting the rights of every individual regardless of background. Humanity is a moral obligation for humanity. Global solidarity, including from Indonesia, must be reflected in actions to protect the marginalized and uphold human rights. Protection of basic rights is not just a matter of justice, but also an investment in preventing similar tragedies in the future. Respect for humanity paves the way to global peace and dignity of life for all without discrimination.

Islam also upholds human values. In Al-Qur’an, Q.S. Al-Isra [17]: 70, Allah says that humans are glorified and given sustenance. Q.S. Al-Hujurat [49]: 13 emphasizes that humans were created as nations to know each other and the noblest are the most devout. Islam teaches justice, humanity, kindness, openness and honesty. These values ​​form the moral foundation for Muslims to live justly and with a sense of humanity.

In this case, human values ​​in Islam become an important moral call. Allah’s command in the Qur’an to glorify every human being emphasizes the need to protect the human rights of Rohingya. Islam emphasizes equality and justice. Facing this tragedy, Muslims and all humanity are reminded of the importance of acting to uphold human values. Humanity must be prioritized in efforts to provide assistance, protection and push for decisive international action to end the suffering of the Rohingya. Upholding humanity above all else not only provides assistance, but also raises human values ​​for every individual in the world.

Concrete Action Needed

The humanitarian tragedy in the Rohingya has caused many people to flee Myanmar due to violence and persecution. The Myanmar government has discriminated against the Rohingya ethnic group for years, resulting in hundreds of thousands of people seeking asylum in various countries, including Indonesia. Handling this crisis requires international cooperation and global pressure to uphold justice and ensure that perpetrators of human rights violations are brought to justice.

Indonesia faces a moral dilemma in protecting Rohingya refugees, even though it has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention. Humanitarian principles remain the main basis. Indonesia has recognized the rights of refugees and ratified various international instruments related to human rights. In addition, the principle of non-refoulement has long been applied.

Concrete steps that Indonesia can take include developing comprehensive operational regulations, increasing cooperation with international organizations such as UNHCR, and increasing public awareness about the importance of protecting refugees. With this action, Indonesia can affirm its commitment to protecting Rohingya refugees and upholding humanitarian values.

[View of the sprawling Kutupalong refugee camp near Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Photo by DFID – UK Department for International Development.]

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.