UN Experts Urge Action to Stop Rohingya Smuggling and Andaman Sea Deaths
United Nations experts have issued an urgent call for action to provide humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, emphasizing that the international community shares responsibility for their welfare. They highlighted that the stateless status of Rohingya individuals makes them highly vulnerable to human trafficking, leading to dire consequences for victims. This appeal comes in the wake of recent incidents, including the sinking of two boats near Myanmar's coast in late June, which carried over 500 passengers, many of them Rohingya, some en route from refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. In 2025 alone, over 6,500 Rohingya risked their lives on sea journeys, with an estimated 900 fatalities. Approximately 66% of these sea travelers were women and children, and one in seven faced disappearance or death traversing the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal, marking this route as the deadliest for refugees and migrants globally.
Bangladesh hosts nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, but limited opportunities for safe migration, formal education, employment, and livelihoods exacerbate their risk of falling prey to human trafficking, particularly affecting children and young adults. Refugee women and girls in camps face extreme risks of trafficking and gender-based violence, with nearly one in four experiencing such violence. Trafficking networks exploit these vulnerabilities, with criminal and armed groups luring Rohingya youth with false promises of jobs, education, or marriage, and even forcibly recruiting or trafficking them. Experts noted that rescued Rohingya, including children, can be detained for days without access to legal aid, psychological support, or medical care, despite suffering immense trauma from family deaths or disappearances. While humanitarian organizations provide assistance, their capacity is hampered by reliance on law enforcement data and significant funding cuts.
The experts urged for effective measures to prevent human trafficking and ensure victim-centered, gender-sensitive support that upholds human rights. They also called for an end to the Rohingya's statelessness and the provision of opportunities for employment, education, healthcare, freedom of movement, and overall protection. The UN experts involved include Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, Siobhán Mullally; Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, Jiyoon Kim; and members of the Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, including Claudia Flores, Ivana Krstić, Dorothy Estrada-Tan, Hyein Lu, and Laura Ní Bhrolcháin. They are in communication with the Bangladeshi government regarding these issues.
The UN experts' report underscores the systemic vulnerabilities created by prolonged statelessness and restricted opportunities for the Rohingya population in Bangladesh. Human trafficking networks exploit these conditions, preying on the desperation of individuals, particularly women and children, who face extreme risks of violence and exploitation. The analysis highlights a critical gap between the humanitarian aid available and the actual needs, compounded by funding shortages and reliance on law enforcement cooperation. Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach that goes beyond immediate rescue and assistance, focusing on durable solutions such as ending statelessness, ensuring access to education, employment, and freedom of movement. The international community's shared responsibility is paramount, necessitating sustained political will and financial commitment to dismantle trafficking networks and provide comprehensive support to victims, thereby mitigating the inherent risks associated with seeking safety and opportunity in perilous sea routes.
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