In the article “What Kind of Court Is This? Perceptions of International Justice Among Rohingya Refugees,” published in the Human Rights Quarterly journal, the authors delve into the unique perspectives of the Rohingya refugees on justice. This community-participatory research project led by LAW illuminates not just the hopes and expectations of the Rohingya regarding justice, but also their struggles with understanding and participating in current international justice efforts.
The study highlights the vital role of institutions like the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice in providing justice post-mass atrocities. While strides have been made in giving victims a voice, achieving victim-centered justice proves to be a formidable challenge. The article reflects on the stark disparity between the survivors’ expectations and the realities of ongoing justice mechanisms.
Conducted in late 2022, LAW’s research involved engaging 444 Rohingya survivors through discussions and interviews. A team of 32 Rohingya enumerators played an essential role, facilitating the survey amid the refugee camps of Bangladesh, capturing the nuanced aspirations of those who experienced the horrific 2017 “clearance operation.”
Throughout their lives, the Rohingya have endured profound persecution, with cultural beliefs tied deeply to concepts of justice. As the research shows, many participants view justice as a restoration of their citizenship, protection, and compensation, seeking not just punishment for perpetrators but a return to dignity and rights long denied.
Rather than mere retributive or restorative justice, the Rohingya yearn for transformative justice—a pathway to full citizenship and belonging. They express that returning to Myanmar without citizenship is unacceptable, combining their quest for justice fused with their fundamental need for safety and identity. This desire highlights a significant gap in current international justice narratives.
The article raises essential questions about how these findings can shape future Rohingya involvement in international justice processes. It emphasizes the need for grassroots perspectives to inform broader global discussions on justice, ensuring that the voices of survivors become integral in the pursuit of accountability.
The article explores Rohingya refugees’ views on justice, revealing that they seek citizenship, protection, and compensation beyond retributive justice. With insights gathered from 444 survivors in Bangladesh, it highlights the stark gap between their expectations and ongoing international justice processes, emphasizing the need for a transformative approach that includes grassroots perspectives in shaping global justice narratives.
The findings in the article stress the urgency of integrating Rohingya perspectives into international justice mechanisms. By amplifying their voices and addressing their broader concept of justice, which encompasses not just accountability but also citizenship and rights, it becomes clear that a more inclusive and transformative approach is essential. Engaging with the Rohingya community will contribute significantly to a more just global discourse.
The Rohingya are a marginalized ethnic group in Myanmar, historically facing severe persecution, which escalated with the 2017 military clearance operations leading to mass displacement. This situation prompted legal actions in international courts aimed at securing justice for the atrocities committed against them. However, their views on justice, rooted in cultural practices and rooted expectations, are often overlooked, complicating efforts for effective justice and reconciliation.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
