Article: Rohingya repatriation: constructivist and durable solutions approaches to the role of the Arakan Army in evolving Myanmar dynamics Journal: International Journal of Public Law and Policy (IJPLAP) 2026 Vol.12 No.3 pp.247 - 263 Abstract: The right to return, a fundamental human right recognised under international law, remains an unfulfilled dream for the Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh. While there have been attempts to repatriate them in the past, the lack of involvement of key stakeholders, including the Ethnic Armed Organisations such as the Arakan Army, has stalled progress. This study explores how theories like Constructivism and the Durable Solutions Framework can guide inclusive frameworks for repatriation in contexts involving powerful non-state actors like the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army. The findings underscore the Arakan Army's prospective role in addressing identity-based grievances and practical barriers to repatriation despite their lack of formal recognition. The study emphasises the importance of a rights-based, multi-stakeholder solution based on qualitative data from interviews with Rohingya refugees, NGO workers, and secondary sources. Connecting theory to practice, the study lays a foundation for the conditions enabling the Rohingya's sustainable return. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Rohingya repatriation: constructivist and durable solutions approaches to the role of the Arakan Army in evolving Myanmar dynamics

Authors: Delara Hasan Ananna; Md. Zahurul Haq; Yuhanif Yusof; Abdel Rahman Ahmed AbdelRahman

Addresses: School of Law, COLGIS, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia ' School of Law, COLGIS, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia ' School of Law, COLGIS, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia ' College of Public Policy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE

Abstract: The right to return, a fundamental human right recognised under international law, remains an unfulfilled dream for the Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh. While there have been attempts to repatriate them in the past, the lack of involvement of key stakeholders, including the Ethnic Armed Organisations such as the Arakan Army, has stalled progress. This study explores how theories like Constructivism and the Durable Solutions Framework can guide inclusive frameworks for repatriation in contexts involving powerful non-state actors like the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army. The findings underscore the Arakan Army's prospective role in addressing identity-based grievances and practical barriers to repatriation despite their lack of formal recognition. The study emphasises the importance of a rights-based, multi-stakeholder solution based on qualitative data from interviews with Rohingya refugees, NGO workers, and secondary sources. Connecting theory to practice, the study lays a foundation for the conditions enabling the Rohingya's sustainable return.

Keywords: right to return; Rohingya repatriation; Bangladesh; Myanmar; Arakan Army; constructivism; durable solutions framework; refugees.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPLAP.2026.155203

International Journal of Public Law and Policy, 2026 Vol.12 No.3, pp.247 - 263

Received: 11 Sep 2024
Accepted: 27 Jan 2025
Published online: 29 Jul 2026 *

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Title: Rohingya repatriation: constructivist and durable solutions approaches to the role of the Arakan Army in evolving Myanmar dynamics

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