Negotiating Unwanted Outsider Status- A study of Gang Subculture among Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh
(2023) SOCM04 20231Sociology
Department of Sociology
- Abstract
- The emergence of the refugee gang subculture has changed its focus from being a regional to a worldwide problem, drawing on the findings of previous studies. Many past studies suggest that the massive influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar has not only amplified existing socioeconomic challenges but has also fueled concerns within the host population in Bangladesh regarding organized gang violence. Despite the growing concern, research on the Rohingya refugee gang subculture in Bangladesh remains considerably limited compared to the rest of the world. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the dynamics of Rohingya gang subculture in and out of refugee camps in Bangladesh. Using a qualitative phenomenological research design,... (More)
- The emergence of the refugee gang subculture has changed its focus from being a regional to a worldwide problem, drawing on the findings of previous studies. Many past studies suggest that the massive influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar has not only amplified existing socioeconomic challenges but has also fueled concerns within the host population in Bangladesh regarding organized gang violence. Despite the growing concern, research on the Rohingya refugee gang subculture in Bangladesh remains considerably limited compared to the rest of the world. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the dynamics of Rohingya gang subculture in and out of refugee camps in Bangladesh. Using a qualitative phenomenological research design, data was collected from Rohingya gang members, host representatives, and several KIIs to fulfill the study objectives. Applying the subculture of deviance and moral panic theory to the analysis of field data, this research identified several important findings as: (1) seven criminal gang networks, varying in size and style, were found operating in and out of Rohingya refugee camps, where mostly delinquent youth became violent adults criminals; (2) past traumatic experiences, collective denial of social citizenship, discrimination in Myanmar and Bangladeshi refugee camps, and gang addiction for identity were identified as primary drivers for signing up for Rohingya gang membership; (3) illegal drug and arms trafficking, abduction, and property theft were reported as common organized gang crimes; (4) senior mentorship, loyalty to partners, and justifying harms for domination mostly characterized the style of Rohingya gang criminality; (5) despite religious and cultural similarities, hosts were found worried about Rohingya gang violence. This research sheds light on the underpinnings of the Rohingya gang subculture in Bangladesh, but further investigation needs to be done on the media's role in spreading fear in host-refugee relationships. (Less)
- Popular Abstract
- Much of the previous research exposed that the subculture of refugee or immigrant gangs has become a global phenomenon, resulting in various consequences for the host country. Refugee subculture develops when refugees or immigrants in camps band together for shared objectives and accept transgressive behavior as a cultural reaction to the structural marginalization they experience. The ideologies that lead to group violence in communities can heighten the likelihood of peace and stability being disrupted in the host country. While residing for years in refugee camps in Bangladesh, many Rohingya refugee gangs were reportedly involved in committing group crimes in and out of refugee camps, straining the relationship between the refugees and... (More)
- Much of the previous research exposed that the subculture of refugee or immigrant gangs has become a global phenomenon, resulting in various consequences for the host country. Refugee subculture develops when refugees or immigrants in camps band together for shared objectives and accept transgressive behavior as a cultural reaction to the structural marginalization they experience. The ideologies that lead to group violence in communities can heighten the likelihood of peace and stability being disrupted in the host country. While residing for years in refugee camps in Bangladesh, many Rohingya refugee gangs were reportedly involved in committing group crimes in and out of refugee camps, straining the relationship between the refugees and their hosts. This raises questions about exposing the dynamics of the Rohingya refugee gang subculture.
This study aimed to explore the subjective experiences of gang subculture and group violence in and out of Rohingya refugee camps located in the south-eastern region of Bangladesh. The investigation was based on in-depth interviews conducted with gang members, security personnel, a Rohingya community leader, and representatives from the host community. This study's results indicate that many Rohingya refugees claimed to be involved in criminal gang activities at refugee camps despite their lack of prior criminal records. This research used participant accounts to identify key features of the Rohingya gang subculture. These include entry into the gang through skill development, loyalty to gang seniors and partners, justifying harm to restore dominance, and building identity. Followingly, the main factors found to influence their decision to join the criminal gang subculture include traumatic memories in their home country, collective denial of identity in both Myanmar and Bangladesh, and uncertainty in the future. The most reported Rohingya gang crimes in recent years include abduction, illegal drug and weapon smuggling, human trafficking, abduction, and property theft. This study employed a thematic analysis to examine the perception of gang violence within the Bengali host community following a massive influx of Rohingya refugees in 2017. Participants from the host community acknowledged the fear of violence that Rohingya gangs had caused in this region. Social media among all agents was found to play a significant role in generating moral panic among local inhabitants in nearby villages surrounding refugee camps.
The merits of this study extend to a wide range of stakeholders. Organizations may assist Rohingya refugees in getting the facilities they need to reduce marginalization in refugee camps; security personnel can improve strategies to reduce gang crimes and host-refugee hostility; and researchers can study the Rohingya gang subculture in more detail (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9135967
- author
- Das, Sourav LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SOCM04 20231
- year
- 2023
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Rohingya, Rohingya Refugees, Gangs, Refugee Gang, Deviant Subculture, Gang Subculture, Moral Panic, Folk devils
- language
- English
- id
- 9135967
- date added to LUP
- 2023-09-01 14:58:55
- date last changed
- 2023-09-01 14:58:55
@misc{9135967,
abstract = {{The emergence of the refugee gang subculture has changed its focus from being a regional to a worldwide problem, drawing on the findings of previous studies. Many past studies suggest that the massive influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar has not only amplified existing socioeconomic challenges but has also fueled concerns within the host population in Bangladesh regarding organized gang violence. Despite the growing concern, research on the Rohingya refugee gang subculture in Bangladesh remains considerably limited compared to the rest of the world. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the dynamics of Rohingya gang subculture in and out of refugee camps in Bangladesh. Using a qualitative phenomenological research design, data was collected from Rohingya gang members, host representatives, and several KIIs to fulfill the study objectives. Applying the subculture of deviance and moral panic theory to the analysis of field data, this research identified several important findings as: (1) seven criminal gang networks, varying in size and style, were found operating in and out of Rohingya refugee camps, where mostly delinquent youth became violent adults criminals; (2) past traumatic experiences, collective denial of social citizenship, discrimination in Myanmar and Bangladeshi refugee camps, and gang addiction for identity were identified as primary drivers for signing up for Rohingya gang membership; (3) illegal drug and arms trafficking, abduction, and property theft were reported as common organized gang crimes; (4) senior mentorship, loyalty to partners, and justifying harms for domination mostly characterized the style of Rohingya gang criminality; (5) despite religious and cultural similarities, hosts were found worried about Rohingya gang violence. This research sheds light on the underpinnings of the Rohingya gang subculture in Bangladesh, but further investigation needs to be done on the media's role in spreading fear in host-refugee relationships.}},
author = {{Das, Sourav}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Negotiating Unwanted Outsider Status- A study of Gang Subculture among Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh}},
year = {{2023}},
}