While global attention is now focused on refugees from trouble-torn Middle Eastern countries, the issue of the Rohingyas from Myanmar has sadly been left to the backyard. They face similar brutalities as the Arabs face in their home countries. Influx of refugees, victims of dislocation in their home countries due to internecine fighting as well as western intervention, in Europe is going on. In case of the Rohingyas, it is the ruling junta and ethnic cleansing that have hit them hard.
In fact, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, signed and ratified by all EU member-states, specifically state that everyone has the right to seek asylum and that refugee children in particular, must be awarded special protection. As Deirdre de Burca, World Vision Brussels Director of Advocacy, said it is imperative the European Union upheld this promise to protect children fleeing the war in Syria. There must be a unified and humane EU policy on the reception of refugees and asylum seekers.
About 137,000 people crossed the Mediterranean Sea into Europe during the first six months of this year; some 2,000 died attempting the journey. The 'Balkan Byway' which is perceived to be less perilous, is fast becoming the alternative route. Thousands have flooded into Serbia hoping to reach Hungary, a major entry point of the EU. The number of children making these journeys by themselves is a major concern for all UN member-states including Bangladesh. They've either been separated from their families or their caregivers have been unable to afford to go with them. There's an estimated 8,000 unaccompanied refugee children in Serbia alone right now. Experience shows they are vulnerable to trafficking, forced labour, prostitution and other forms of violence. With Serbia's harsh winter fast approaching, they lack adequate food, clothing and shelter.
Without immediate action to end the violence in Syria as well as in Myanmar, members of the Security Council and those governments with real political, diplomatic and financial leverage, more refugees will continue to flow into Europe and Southeast Asia. The images coming out of Europe are extremely distressing. There are desperate scenes in host countries bordering Syria too. Since 2011, over four million people have sought refuge in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. These places have extended immense hospitality to Syrian refugees not without impact to their own economies and social services. The Rohingyas too fled to Thailand and Malaysia.
The writer is a student of Jahangirnagar University
Email: taslima29@gmail.com
The crux of refugee problem
Taslima Ahmed | Published: September 30, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
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