In Asia, ethno-nationalism is one of the principal causes of conflict. This has inevitably led to violent civil conflict, compelling members of these groups to seek protection elsewhere. In some instances, the forced displacement of minorities has not only been a by-product but the objective of fighting and human rights violations. In many states, certain ethnic, religious or linguistic groups are excluded from the political, social and economic processes and do not benefit equally from development programmes. Another cause of refugee flows are violations of human rights and the persecution of persons because of their political opinion, ethnicity or religion.
Citizenship is a sensitive issue that can force people to move.
The flight of some 85,000 Bhutanese to Nepal and the departure of Muslims from Myanmar to Bangladesh were in part due to economic hardship, but the citizenship question has complicated their return to their original communities. In some instances, the country of origin refuses to take people back on the basis of their citizenship and abdicates its responsibility towards its own population. The link between economic development and forced population movements also requires further examination. The current economic and financial confidence crisis in Southeast Asia has brought again to the surface many of the ethnic, religious and linguistic tensions among communities. It demonstrates that years of economic growth does not ensure effective community building.