Muslim Solidarity and the Lack of Effective Protection for Rohingya Refugees in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia has the weakest normative frameworks for refugee protection of any region in world apart from Middle East. Only two out ten member states Association Asian Nations (ASEAN) have signed 1951 International Refugee Convention. Nevertheless, 2012 ASEAN Human Rights Declaration explicitly mentions right to seek and receive asylum ‘in accordance with laws such State applicable international agreements’ (ASEAN 2012). One litmus tests this been regional treatment Rohingya, a Muslim minority Myanmar that faces forced displacement, discrimination, large-scale state violence. Based on media content analysis scientific literature review, paper sheds light how ASEAN’s most prominent countries, Indonesia Malaysia, advocate behalf forcibly displaced Rohingya. In particular, focuses competing forms political interventions shifting notions solidarity. While Malaysia very vocal bilateral, regional, forums criticise government their violation basic human rights, both countries remain highly reluctant offer sanctuary Rohingya refugees, which several thousand attempted reach Malaysia. This research finds notion solidarity remains symbolic rhetoric primarily directed at domestic audiences failure render effective refugees rather increased over last five years.