Findings: Exploring the Experience of Violence and Loss of Dignity Among Rohingyas in Bangladesh and Internally Displaced People in Afghanistan

A Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, 2019

About the project

This British Academy funded study (2018-2022) tracked the experiences of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Afghanistan and forcibly displaced Rohingya refugees from Myanmar who are currently living in Bangladesh. It traced their dignity journey from their homes to the camps or other settlements where they were living.

The main focus of the study was to understand how the IDPs and Rohingyas conceptualise dignity though their lived experiences. The traditional top-down conceptualisation of dignity often ignores the importance, experience and perception of dignity (and loss of it) from the perspective of the ‘victim’ group.

This study offers important critical insight in realising how the displaced view a good and dignified life for a positive future in which their wellbeing needs to be protected.

Project team

Palash Kamruzzaman, Kate Williams, Ali Wardak

Main findings

Drawing on their lived experiences in displacement and experiencing violence along the way, the IDPs and the Rohingyas conceptualised dignity in multiple different ways.

The study reports show that there are some common features of dignity among the IDPs and Rohingya perception of dignity, namely:

Safety, and protection from violence and sexual abuse
Compassion, solidarity, and mutual respect
Religious and cultural values
Wealth, prosperity and self-reliance
Knowledge and education

In addition, this study also identified contextual differences in understanding how the IDPs and Rohingyas perceive and describe dignity. These include peace and security; identity, freedom and rights; and shelter, food and basic needs.

Impact

The findings of this study would impact the livelihoods of the IDPs and Rohingyas. Empirical evidence of this study can provide various stakeholders (i.e. the governments, donors, international organisations, and civil society) a solid base for making evidence-based policies towards resolving the crises.

Furthermore, how the victim groups conceptualise dignity (or loss of it) can shed new lights in devising humanitarian programmes that are dignified for the refugees across the world.