The global refugee crisis has dominated headlines as millions of people flee their homes in pursuit of safety and peace. A brief analysis of the Syrian civil conflict, the Rohingya and Hazara exodus, and the ongoing turmoil in Ukraine and Palestine - and the response of the UN and other global bodies.

The current number of forcibly displaced people has surged to 110 million, a substantial increase from 82.4 million at the end of 2020. This means that approximately one in every 78 people worldwide is now forcibly displaced, a stark consequence of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, or war.

This crisis continues to persist due to the lack of a coordinated global response and concrete solutions within the world order. The United Nations, tasked with addressing such issues, faces challenges in enforcing refugee protection policies, particularly in host countries where refugees experience rights violations, imprisonment, and even deportation to the very countries they fled from war and conflict. It has proven effective as the United Nations lacks legitimacy to implement refugee policies.

Historical context

The current global refugee crisis did not emerge overnight; it has been a gradually intensifying issue for the past 71 years. Since the establishment of the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees in 1950, a continuous rise in the number of refugees has been reported annually. While pinpointing the definitive "start" of the current refugee crisis is challenging, certain events have significantly contributed to its escalation.

Over the last 11 years, displacement numbers surged due to the Syrian civil war, with one in every 10 refugees originating from Afghanistan, contributing to a 40-year crisis. The roots of the crisis also trace back to the early 1960s when 24 African countries achieved independence, leaving newly sovereign nations on unstable ground, resulting in decades of instability and violence.

Recent UN figures reveal that, on average, 44,000 people leave their homes daily due to conflict and persecution. However, conflict is not the sole cause; the multitude of reasons prompting people to flee their homes contributes to the complexity of current humanitarian crises, many of which are also refugee crises.

The Rohingya crisis

The Rohingya refugee crisis remains one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges. Originating from Myanmar's Rakhine State, the Rohingya, an ethnic minority, have faced systemic discrimination and violence, leading to a mass exodus.

Nearly one million Rohingya have sought refuge in Bangladesh, creating one of the world's largest refugee camps in Cox's Bazar. Myanmar's government faces widespread international condemnation for its role in the crisis, with accusations of ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses.

As of August 2023, the situation remains dire for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and those remaining in Myanmar. The February coup d'état in Myanmar has further jeopardized the prospect of their safe, voluntary return to Rakhine State.

Situation in Palestine

The Palestine refugee crisis stems from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, dating back to the late 1940s when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced during the establishment of the state of Israel. The issue persists, with millions of Palestinians residing in camps across the Middle East.

Recent intensifications, such as the bombing of Gaza in 2023, have caused widespread destruction and displaced nearly a million people. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza emphasizes the urgency of finding a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Syrian crisis

The Syrian refugee crisis, a result of the protracted Syrian civil war since 2011, continues to evolve, generating one of the largest global refugee populations. Many Syrians sought refuge in neighboring countries, while others undertook perilous journeys to reach Europe.

As the Syria crisis enters its twelfth year, over 15.3 million people need humanitarian assistance, with more than half the population displaced. Recent incidents, such as a Syrian man being shot near the Belarus border, highlight the dangers refugees face even after fleeing their home country. The ongoing Syrian refugee crisis underscores the importance of global collaboration, with the UN Refugee Agency providing vital assistance but requiring additional support.

Implications for the world order

The global refugee crisis poses significant implications for the world order, particularly in terms of security and stability. Mass migrations resulting from conflict, persecution, and environmental factors can destabilize regions and challenge geopolitical frameworks. The ongoing Ukraine crisis exemplifies this, creating one of the fastest-growing refugee emergencies on record.

Since the conclusion of World War II, the United Nations (UN) has been elevated, along with other components of the global system, to foster social progress, enhance living standards, and uphold human rights. However, the rights of refugees have remained a complex and underdeveloped issue.

The UN should have incorporated refugees into its processes from the outset and established a mechanism to promptly define and protect their human rights. This would have enabled refugees to travel legally and enjoy the benefits of globalization like other citizens. They would have been adequately protected, had a voice in their own affairs, been able to work and study, and even had access to scholarship opportunities. If this had been the case, we would not be dependent on donations today, and refugees would not be perceived as a burden in the host country.

A careful examination of the global refugee crisis reveals that this crisis was created more by political decisions and governments’ determination to regulate refugee flows rather than resolve the challenge. Yet, the UN Declaration of Human Rights was based on the refugees’ need to escape war and the conflicts destabilizing their countries, situations in which they have no say.

"The crisis was created more by political decisions and governments’ determination to regulate refugee flows rather than resolve the challenge."

The current situation is flawed and here's why

Refugees are often confined to their first country of refuge, where they land after fleeing their conflict-ridden homeland, primarily because the international community has decided to manage refugees systematically under the supervision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Despite being aware of this reality, parliamentarians and foreign officials continue to insist that refugees should join an orderly queue. They do this knowing that UNHCR representatives are not available in many crucial locations and that refugees seeking registration with the UNHCR often have to travel great distances, sometimes across multiple countries, to reach a responsive UNHCR office. Regrettably, humanitarian crises are unpredictable, as evidenced by the genocidal attacks against the Rohingya in Myanmar, which resulted in a surge of nearly eight hundred refugees in just a few months.

The major UN donor countries, predominantly in the northern hemisphere and seldom affected by large-scale tragedies, are slow to respond, and when they do, their response is often insufficient. Politicians regularly argue over the amount of funds allocated for foreign aid or to address global issues. However, when crises hit closer to home, they become hostile and close their borders. Australia’s treatment of arriving migrants and the US’s construction of a wall on their border with Mexico serve as prime examples.

Conclusion

The global refugee crisis presents a complex web of challenges that require urgent attention. The situation is no longer just a humanitarian concern but a critical imperative for international order as the number of forcibly displaced people continues to rise, reaching 110 million.

The history of the refugee crisis spans 71 years since the establishment of the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees in 1950. It reveals a complicated tapestry of conflicts, persecutions, and systemic issues that contribute to the persistent upheaval. The Rohingya, Palestine, and Syrian refugee crises are examples that illustrate the ongoing struggles faced by vulnerable populations, demanding both immediate attention and sustained efforts for long-term solutions.

The implications for world order, particularly in terms of security, stability, and the shortcomings of the United Nations in addressing refugee rights, emphasize the need for a paradigm shift. The ongoing Ukraine crisis, which has further aggravated displacement, serves as a stark reminder that geopolitical frameworks must adapt to the evolving dynamics of global migration.

The analysis of the refugee crisis in the context of the United Nations reveals systemic flaws and a lack of integration of refugees into global processes. The UN's failure to define and protect the human rights of refugees promptly has left them confined, voiceless, and dependent on donations in host countries. The political determination to regulate refugee flows rather than address the root causes of crises has perpetuated the flawed system, where refugees are often trapped in their first country of refuge.

Moreover, the reluctance of major UN donor countries to respond effectively, coupled with political squabbles over foreign aid and border closures during crises, highlights the inadequacies of the current international system. The recent examples of Australia's treatment of arriving migrants and the US's construction of a border wall with Mexico underline the lack of a unified and compassionate global response.

In conclusion, the global refugee crisis demands a fundamental reevaluation of international mechanisms, a collaborative and compassionate approach, and a commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of displaced populations. The challenges are vast, but the call for a more integrated, proactive, and humane response is both urgent and necessary. 

Only through a concerted effort to address the root causes, revise existing governance structures, and prioritize the well-being of refugees can the world strive toward a more just and compassionate international order. The time for action is now, as the number of forcibly displaced people continues to rise, and the consequences of inaction reverberate globally.

References

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Sarah Kenyon Lischer; The Global Refugee Crisis: Regional Destabilization & Humanitarian Protection. Daedalus 2017; 146 (4): 85–97. doi: https://doi.org/10.1162/DAED_a_00461

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