The 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees
Bangladesh is not a signatory of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees or its associated 1967 protocol1. This convention outlines basic rights that should be afforded to any individual classified as a refugee. These rights include, but are not limited to, the right to work, to housing, to public relief services, and access to the judicial system. In addition, it is important to note that this convention includes the right to education, although it does not go into elaborate detail about this right2.
Because the country has not signed on to the convention, there is very little that international governing bodies can do to encourage or require the Bangladeshi government to provide specific services to Rohingya refugees. As a result, the burden of protecting and providing for this population falls on NGOs, INGOs, and individuals.
