The weight of years of advocacy culminated in January 2026 as landmark hearings began at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning allegations of genocide against the Rohingya people. For a community long denied justice, the proceedings represented a crucial step toward accountability. Yet, the hearings likewise underscored a fundamental question: what tangible change can be achieved for the Rohingya without a corresponding shift within Myanmar itself?
Over the past year, Rohingya advocates have achieved unprecedented levels of diplomatic representation, including participation in a UN High-Level Conference, as reported by Human Rights Watch here. Community-led cultural initiatives, such as the Taro Leaf initiative and the Meeras Pavilion, have also brought the Rohingya experience to global audiences, humanizing the crisis and amplifying voices often silenced. This increased visibility is not merely symbolic. it shapes narratives and influences the international response to the ongoing plight of the Rohingya.
Australia has played a significant, though complex, role in this evolving landscape. Over the last five years, successive Australian governments have prioritized the Rohingya crisis within their humanitarian and foreign policy agendas. This commitment has manifested in expanded resettlement programs, sustained humanitarian funding – including a recent A$370 million commitment over three years directed towards Bangladesh according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – and the explicit inclusion of Rohingya concerns within DFAT’s humanitarian strategies. In 2025, Australia supported the participation of Noor Azizah, a prominent Rohingya advocate, at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Leaders Week, signaling a commitment to amplifying marginalized voices on the world stage.
This support extends beyond governmental action. In Sydney and internationally, the Creative Advocacy Partnership, involving Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and other organizations, launched the Taro Leaf initiative, a community-designed symbol that reached over 15 million people online as detailed by MSF Australia. The Meeras Pavilion, an immersive exhibition of Rohingya art and culture, drew over 35,000 attendees in Sydney, fostering a deeper understanding and solidarity with the community. These initiatives represent a shift from simply raising awareness to building meaningful relationships and recognizing Rohingya agency.
A Crisis of Displacement and Deteriorating Conditions
Despite these positive developments, the core challenge remains the ongoing violence and systemic discrimination within Myanmar. Over the past 18 months, renewed fighting between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar Armed Forces has forced more than 100,000 Rohingya to flee their homes, according to a United Nations report published by UN News. This latest wave of displacement adds to the already staggering number of Rohingya refugees, with over 1.2 million currently living in camps in Bangladesh.
Life in these camps is increasingly precarious. MSF reports a spiraling deterioration in both mental and physical health, alongside a resurgence of preventable infectious diseases as documented on their website. Prolonged confinement, limited access to healthcare, and the psychological trauma of displacement contribute to this worsening situation. Desperation has also driven many Rohingya to undertake dangerous journeys by sea, facing increased risks in a more militarized maritime environment.
Australia’s Foreign Policy Impasse
For Australia, Myanmar presents a significant foreign policy challenge. The country’s situation is often described within diplomatic and non-governmental circles as a “blind spot,” characterized by condemnation of the military regime, substantial humanitarian aid, and a reliance on regional frameworks – particularly ASEAN – but a lack of clear pathways to improve conditions on the ground. Since the military coup in 2021, Australia’s policy of non-engagement with the junta has, according to some analyses, evolved into a broader absence of strategic vision for promoting change.
This lack of a clear strategy extends beyond the Rohingya crisis, impacting other marginalized groups within Myanmar who are systematically subjected to violence, displacement, and discrimination based on their ethnicity and religious beliefs. Myanmar is currently facing one of the world’s largest and most complex humanitarian crises, with over 3.6 million internally displaced people and more than 20 million in need of assistance according to ReliefWeb. The scale of the crisis demands a more comprehensive and proactive approach.
The Limits of the ASEAN Consensus
Australia’s current approach heavily relies on ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus, a regional framework aimed at resolving the crisis in Myanmar. Although demonstrating a commitment to regional leadership, the consensus has, after five years, failed to significantly alter the situation on the ground or create meaningful avenues for accountability and dialogue. Critics argue that relying solely on this framework risks prioritizing process over tangible progress.
The challenge for Australia, and the international community, is not simply whether to engage with the Myanmar military – a position widely considered unacceptable – but rather how to engage around Myanmar. This requires supporting civilian protection, promoting accountability for human rights abuses, and creating conditions for a more just and inclusive future, without inadvertently legitimizing the current regime.
Looking Ahead: A New Framework for Engagement
We find no effortless answers, and navigating this complex situation requires a willingness to explore uncharted territory. However, the recent progress achieved through inclusive representation, community-led initiatives, and long-term thinking demonstrates that positive change is possible. The next phase demands increased investment in independent analysis, academic research, grassroots diplomacy, and the development of new engagement frameworks.
Humanitarian assistance, while crucial for alleviating suffering, cannot deliver lasting solutions. Aid can stabilize health systems and save lives, but it cannot address the root causes of the crisis or alter the conditions that drive displacement. Without parallel investment in political pathways and civilian protection, humanitarian aid risks becoming a mechanism for managing the consequences of violence rather than preventing it.
Recognition of the Rohingya crisis is a necessary first step, but We see not sufficient. To move beyond visibility to viability, the international community – including Australia – must confront the tricky question of how to effect change in a state that appears unwilling to reform. The ICJ hearings in January 2026 represent a pivotal moment, but the true test will lie in translating legal proceedings into tangible improvements in the lives of the Rohingya people.
The next key date to watch is the ICJ’s scheduled progress report in November 2026, which will provide an update on the genocide case and outline next steps in the legal process. Continued advocacy, diplomatic pressure, and a commitment to supporting civil society organizations working on the ground will be essential in ensuring that the Rohingya crisis remains a priority on the international agenda.
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