Borders, Disputes, and Migration: Territorial Conflicts and South & Southeast Asian Mobility
摘要
Border disputes and territorial conflicts have historically shaped migration trends across South and Southeast Asia. This chapter examines how geopolitical tensions, national security concerns, and migration governance intersect in the context of forced displacement, with a particular focus on the Rohingya crisis. The Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority from Myanmar, have endured systematic persecution, culminating in mass exoduses to Bangladesh, particularly after the military crackdown in 2017. Bangladesh, despite not being a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, has hosted over one million Rohingya refugees, straining its socio-economic and environmental resources. This chapter explores the policy responses of the Bangladeshi government, the role of international actors, and the securitization of migration in contested borderlands. It also critically evaluates the geopolitical complexities that hinder sustainable solutions, including repatriation and third-country resettlement. By integrating insights from key informant interviews and theoretical frameworks on migration and security, this study highlights the urgent need for collaborative regional and global interventions to address this protracted humanitarian crisis.