The ban on marriage between Bangladesh citizens and Rohingyas imposed by the government is not the answer to the refugee problem. This move, intended to solve the very real problem of a rapidly increasing population of illegal immigrants in our already overcrowded country, actually solves nothing.
The ban, which is applicable to both Rohingyas living within registered refugee camps and those living outside of camps as illegal immigrants, intends to serve as a deterrent for those using marriage as a strategy to become permanent residents of Bangladesh. However, apart from being a terrible infringement on the rights on Rohingyas, this law is also an infringement on the rights of Bangladeshis.
Putting a ban on marriage as a disincentive is a shameful law which only makes Bangladesh and the government look bad. We acknowledge the need to critically address the Rohingya problem – there may be up to 300,000 Rohingyas living illegally around Cox’s Bazar alone. However, our population problem needs to be addressed through workable policies in family planning and education, and with engaging diplomatically and smartly with the complex international problem of refugees.
Rohingyas are a highly persecuted minority of the world. They come to Bangladesh to escape repressive policies of their government, sectarian violence, and dire poverty resulting from it, which is why we opened our doors to them in the past. Intruding on their or our basic right to marry any human being who consents to it flies in the face of any humanitarian progress we have made.