Right to Return: International Law and the Case for Rohingya Muslim Repatriation in Myanmar

Abstract: The protracted displacement of the Rohingya Muslim population represents one of the most critical challenges to contemporary international refugee and human rights law. Despite several decades of persecution and forced migration, the right of Rohingya Muslims to return to their ancestral homeland in Arakan (present name Rakhine) in Myanmar remains unresolved. This article examines the legal foundations of the “right to return” under international law, drawing from key instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and customary norms. It critically analyses Myanmar’s obligations, the role of the international community, and emerging state practices. By exploring legal, political, and institutional pathways, the article argues for a rights-based framework to ensure safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation for the Rohingya Muslim people of Arakan, Myanmar.