By: RO Maung Shwe
Rohingya refugees are increasingly falling prey to traffickers and kidnappers who exploit their desperate situation for financial gain.
Since the ethnic cleansing campaign of August 2017, they have been systematically denied fundamental human rights and the ability to return to their homeland, Myanmar.
Following the genocide, nearly one million Rohingya fled to Bangladesh. Today, around 1.5 million refugees live in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, facing extreme hardship.
They are stateless and marginalized, with no legal recognition or basic rights, including freedom of movement, education, and employment opportunities.
Many live in precarious conditions, exposed to landslides, floods, and extreme weather. Despite their historical presence in Myanmar, the military junta has stripped them of their nationality solely because they are Muslim.
For over 70 years, the Rohingya have endured persecution, mass killings, and human rights violations.
This systematic oppression has forced them to flee, yet their suffering continues even in exile. With no legal status or opportunities, many become easy targets for traffickers who promise them a better future but instead subject them to extortion, abuse, and life-threatening journeys.
The Trafficking Crisis
Human traffickers prey on the desperation of the Rohingya, luring them into dangerous journeys across land and sea.
Many attempt to escape by boat or even by plane using forged documents. Some die at sea, others are arrested, and many disappear without a trace.
Few reach their intended destinations, while most are left stranded, vulnerable to further exploitation.
Julekha Begum’s Story
Julekha Begum, a 42-year-old Rohingya woman, fled to Bangladesh in 2017 after her husband was shot and killed by Myanmar’s military.
She now lives in the Unchiprang refugee camp, relying on humanitarian aid and support from relatives in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
In 2023, Julekha’s son, Mohammad Akram, attempted to reach Malaysia for work. Traffickers demanded 5 lakh taka for the journey, an amount covered by her relatives.
After crossing the Naf River, traffickers extorted another 1 lakh taka. In Shamila, a known trafficking hub, they demanded yet another 1 lakh. A month later, Julekha received a video of her son in distress, pleading for more money.
Her relatives paid the amount, but just three days later, she learned that Mohammad had been sold to another trafficking group, which demanded an additional 2 lakh taka, claiming he had reached Malaysia.
Despite paying 7 lakh taka in total, Julekha lost all contact with her son. Eventually, she received a call from an unknown number.
It was Mohammad, calling from a Myanmar prison in Yangon. He had been arrested, leaving Julekha devastated and financially ruined, with no means to secure his release.
Abdul Goffor’s Story
Abdul Goffor, 50, from Maungdaw, Rakhine State, fled to Saudi Arabia in 2013, hoping to provide for his family of eight. He worked there for five years, sending money home.
In 2018, Saudi authorities arrested and deported him for using a fake passport, leaving his family in severe financial hardship. His four daughters remained unmarried due to high dowry costs, and he had no source of income.
In 2024, Abdul’s family decided to send his youngest son, Mohammad Ali, to Malaysia. Traffickers demanded 4.5 lakh taka for the journey. Abdul paid, but soon after, another group claimed they had not received the money and demanded more.
Desperate, he handed over his family’s UNHCR ration card to a neighbor in exchange for money. Mohammad Ali eventually reached Malaysia and began working to repay the debts. However, Abdul and his family continue to struggle, with little hope of financial stability.
The Need for Urgent Action
Julekha’s and Abdul’s stories reflect the grim reality faced by thousands of Rohingya refugees. Deprived of rights, opportunities, and security, they become easy prey for traffickers.
Many never reach their destinations, and even those who do often find themselves trapped in debt and further exploitation.
The international community must act to protect Rohingya refugees from traffickers and ensure their safety. Without urgent intervention, their suffering will continue, and more lives will be lost to trafficking networks that thrive on their desperation.
Concrete measures are needed to provide safe migration pathways, legal protections, and sustainable solutions that allow Rohingya to rebuild their lives with dignity.
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