12 February 2010
NTS Alert (Feb 2010 – Issue 1)
Abstract
In 2008 and 2009, there were numerous reports in the international media of Rohingya, a Muslim minority group from Myanmar, attempting to escape from Myanmar to Thailand and Malaysia, via perilous boat journeys. After being ‘pushed back’ by Thai authorities, there was pressure on ASEAN and the Bali Process for People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, to address the root cause of statelessness. The aim of this NTS alert is to analyse the problem of statelessness, giving an overview at both global and regional levels and tracing its causes and consequences. In addition, this alert explains the significance of statelessness under international law, highlights cases in Southeast and South Asia, and concludes by reviewing the types of solutions that have potential for being effective.
Abstract
In 2008 and 2009, there were numerous reports in the international media of Rohingya, a Muslim minority group from Myanmar, attempting to escape from Myanmar to Thailand and Malaysia, via perilous boat journeys. After being ‘pushed back’ by Thai authorities, there was pressure on ASEAN and the Bali Process for People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, to address the root cause of statelessness. The aim of this NTS alert is to analyse the problem of statelessness, giving an overview at both global and regional levels and tracing its causes and consequences. In addition, this alert explains the significance of statelessness under international law, highlights cases in Southeast and South Asia, and concludes by reviewing the types of solutions that have potential for being effective.
