Updates on Canada’s Strategy to Respond to the Rohingya Crisis (based on public research)

The Rohingya genocide occurred in August 2017. Tens of thousands were raped, removed from the homes and country and killed.

A million Rohingya refugees still currently live in decrepit conditions in the world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh. From reports, they have little access to education and/or prospects of a livelihood. In Myanmar, the Rohingya that remain live in apartheid-like state with high risk of genocide occurring again, according to the UN.

In 2018, Canada took a lead in the international community to not only call what happened officially a genocide but it also came up with a strategy, released publicly, to respond to the Rohingya crisis. It focused on: (1) alleviating the humanitarian crisis; (2) encouraging positive political developments in Myanmar; (3) ensuring accountability for the crimes committed; and (4) enhancing international cooperation. It had appointed special envoy Bob Rae before that as an expert to provide recommendations which drove the strategy. He remains a special envoy.

There is now little mainstream coverage on the Rohingya. This post is an attempt to look at where we are now on Canada’s strategy as well as understand results and more details on the current situation for the Rohingya.

It is based on public research (news sources and the government’s own online resource — https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/response_conflict-reponse_conflits/crisis-crises/myanmar.aspx?lang=eng). If you have any inputs, corrections or suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated. I have tried to capture both Bob Rae’s report ( https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/response_conflict-reponse_conflits/crisis-crises/rep_sem-rap_esm.aspx?lang=eng) and the official government’s strategy (https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/response_conflict-reponse_conflits/crisis-crises/strat-rohingya.aspx?lang=eng). I have followed up with my Member of Parliament and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in several areas identified in the tables.