Eight Years On: Rohingya Crisis Deepens with Ongoing Atrocities and Education Collapse in Refugee Camps
August 25, 2025, marks eight years since Myanmar’s military launched widespread atrocities against the Rohingya population in Rakhine State, including village destruction and mass killings that forced over 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh.
Independent investigations have documented genocide and crimes against humanity, yet no accountability has been achieved within Myanmar, Human Rights Watch reported. Since the 2021 military coup, further crimes, including targeted attacks on civilians and infrastructure, have intensified persecution of Rohingya who remain in Myanmar.
Bangladesh today shelters approximately 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, half of them children, in Cox’s Bazar—the world’s largest refugee settlement. Despite a sharp increase in arrivals over the past 18 months, international aid has drastically declined. The UNHCR has received only 38% of the $256 million it needs this year to support the Rohingya, while UNICEF suspended operations at over 4,500 schools in June, leaving nearly 500,000 Rohingya children without access to education.
The closure of schools has forced families into desperate decisions. Reports indicate rising child marriage and labor, with families resorting to extreme survival measures amid worsening conditions. Teachers lament the loss of a generation’s future, as children spend days idle, forgetting their lessons.
International justice efforts continue, with the ICC investigating atrocity crimes and the International Court of Justice hearing a genocide case against Myanmar. However, impunity persists, and calls grow for the UN Security Council to refer Myanmar to the ICC and for universal jurisdiction prosecutions worldwide.
The upcoming UN High-level Conference on September 30, 2025, aims to address the crisis but faces criticism for limited Rohingya representation. Advocates stress the need for inclusive, survivor-centered dialogue focused on accountability, rights restoration, and durable solutions, including citizenship recognition.
As violence continues in Myanmar and refugee camps face funding shortfalls, the Rohingya people remain at grave risk. Host countries are urged to protect refugees’ rights to education, livelihoods, and safety, preventing forced returns. The call for justice, dignity, and inclusion for the Rohingya remains urgent as they face an uncertain future both in Myanmar and in exile.
