The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has escalated its biometric enrollment campaign in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, prompting controversy after hundreds of refugees lost access to essential aid services. The current “registration update exercise” requires refugees aged five and older to provide fingerprints and iris scans as a condition for continued access to food rations and cooking fuel.
Enrollment Linked to Humanitarian Aid
UNHCR, working with the Bangladeshi government, reports that biometric data has already been collected from approximately 1.13 million Rohingya refugees. The agency argues that biometric registration ensures accurate, fraud-free distribution of humanitarian aid and is critical for maintaining donor confidence. However, some 400 individuals – or, according to other estimates, between 300 and 400 families – have been removed from aid rolls after declining to participate in the program.
Those not enrolled are classified as “inactivated,” meaning they cannot receive food or fuel distributions. UNHCR maintains that access to healthcare services remains intact, but several refugees told reporters that they have been turned away from clinics, contradicting the agency’s assurances. The policy has drawn criticism for its ethical implications and potential violations of humanitarian norms.
Refugee Concerns Over ID Validity and Data Use
Resistance to the biometric drive stems in part from fears that new ID documents might invalidate older forms of recognition, such as the UNHCR-issued identity cards and yellow data sheets from 1991–92. These historical documents are seen by many refugees as vital proof of legal status and community lineage.
“We protested because we already have U.N. documents. Doing biometrics would cancel them. If the UNHCR can’t protect our papers or our name, what hope do we have?” said one refugee, speaking to The Dhaka Tribune under a pseudonym for safety reasons.
Past events have compounded mistrust. A 2021 report revealed that biometric data collected by UNHCR was shared with Bangladeshi authorities and later passed to Myanmar, raising fears about potential reprisals and cross-border surveillance. Refugees also report being asked to sign authorization forms only after questioning the enrollment process, undermining claims that participation is voluntary.
“That is not consent,” said Nur Hossain, another refugee interviewed under a pseudonym.
Humanitarian Principles and Ongoing Tensions
UNHCR policy formally requires that biometric data collection be based on “freely given, specific, and informed” consent, as outlined in its 2015 Data Protection Policy. Human rights advocates argue that tying aid to biometric participation violates the principle that humanitarian support should be based on need alone, a standard reflected in Executive Committee Conclusion 91 (2001).
The situation also reflects broader operational pressures. UNHCR’s Rohingya Joint Response Plan is significantly underfunded, and the agency has stated that biometric verification helps maintain the trust of international donors by demonstrating transparency and accountability.
While UNHCR insists that no formal policy change has been made to penalize non-enrolled refugees, the practice of linking enrollment to aid access has sparked growing concern. As the biometric campaign continues, the agency faces mounting scrutiny over its handling of informed consent, data privacy, and the ethical use of digital identity tools in humanitarian contexts.
Sources: Dhaka Tribune, The Diplomat
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By Ali Nassar-Smith
