Humanitarianism: Education & Conflict: PEAC/EDUC 072 (Amy Kapit)

Convention on the Rights of the Child

Rohingya refugees flee to Bangladesh looking for safety and better lives, but are faced with continuing discrimination and hardship1. Most notable in this displaced population is the majority percent of children, who deserve care and attention not only as the largest group, but also as the future of the Rohingya people2. In addition, Bangladesh, as a signatory of the 1990 Convention on the Rights of the Child, agrees to ensure that children’s rights are worked towards and realized3. The convention requires that refugee children receive protection and services that ensure their quality of life to the same extent as children native to the country4. Doing so allows these children to realize the full extent of their “physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development”5. More specifically, in Article 28, the convention refers to the right of a child to education. All children, this article states, have a right to equal access to education that develops all aspects of “the child's personality, talents and mental and physical abilities…to their fullest potential”, not to mention that it should instill a respect for their heritage and identity6. However, a majority of Rohingya children continue to be barred from formal education, and so can in no way be receiving these educational benefits they should be guaranteed7. Rohingya refugee children’s rights are plainly being violated time and time again, but no clear actions are being made toward actual changes.

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