Bangladesh’s Legal Framework Governing Environmental Obligations on Both a National and International Level
摘要
This chapter critically examines Bangladesh’s legal and policy frameworks for environmental protection amid the Rohingya refugee crisis. It scrutinises the response of international environmental law, domestic legislation, and policy instruments to the environmental challenges posed by large-scale forced displacement. This chapter evaluates key international legal regimes, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the World Heritage Convention, and the Convention on Migratory Species, and assesses their relevance to environmental degradation in refugee-hosting areas. Additionally, it investigates Bangladesh’s domestic legal structure, including the Environmental Conservation Act 1995, Biodiversity Act 2017, Environmental Court Act 2000, and related policy instruments, to determine their capacity to address environmental degradation linked to the refugee presence. The analysis reveals significant gaps in legal implementation, institutional coordination, and enforcement mechanisms, particularly in relation to refugee-related environmental harm. Although Bangladesh has shown commitment through international cooperation and policy initiatives, the existing frameworks remain fragmented and inadequately responsive to refugee-induced ecological pressures. This chapter argues that current approaches rely excessively on general environmental regulations and lack a rights-based, refugee-specific framework. It concludes that integrating human rights principles—especially the right to work, freedom of movement, and environmental protection—into national environmental governance is essential for mitigating ecological degradation and achieving sustainable refugee management.