Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees protested dire conditions in Bangladesh's sprawling camps on Tuesday, marking nine years since a Myanmar military crackdown forced them to flee. Refugee group the United Council of Rohingya organized the rally to remember the atrocities and highlight what it called an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Cox's Bazar.
How many Rohingya refugees live in Bangladesh?
More than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees live in about 30 overcrowded camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district, the world's largest refugee settlement. Many fled Myanmar during a brutal military crackdown in 2017. Children make up more than half of the camp population, according to aid agencies working in the area.
Why are Rohingya refugees protesting nine years after fleeing Myanmar?
Protesters held placards reading "Justice for Rohingya, Hope is Home" and "Timely justice is our right." Sayed Ullah, president of the United Council of Rohingya, said refugees were desperate to return home. "We can't keep waiting for the international community to facilitate our return," he told AFP. "We will do whatever it takes to ensure our safe return home."
Sabikunnahar, 32, who fled to Bangladesh in 2017, said the memories remained painful. "Beheading our near and dear ones, setting fire to our homes and evicting us from our land, the military occupied our land around nine years ago," she said. "On this day, my heart gets torn apart. Look at my eyes, they are still wet with tears for my country."
Why are conditions worsening in the Rohingya camps?
Conditions in the camps have deteriorated amid funding cuts and reduced food rations, aid agencies say. "An entire generation of children is growing up in exile," said Golam Mostofa, who heads the charity Save the Children in the camps. He said families face worsening hunger, fewer opportunities and deepening uncertainty about their future instead of progress toward safety and a lasting solution.
One in three refugees is expected to face "crisis" hunger levels or worse between September and December, according to Save the Children. Moulovi Abdus Salam, 41, who arrived last year, said his family fled after gunmen raped women, killed his brothers and looted his shop. He said food rations in Bangladesh now cover a maximum of 20 days.
Sikandar, 75, who arrived in Bangladesh in 2017, said humanitarian aid remained insufficient, including food from the World Food Program and healthcare from other organizations. "It's hard to live in a camp. None of us is living here comfortably, not a single one of us," he said. Growing desperation has pushed some refugees toward dangerous sea journeys.
Can Rohingya refugees return safely to Myanmar?
Sikandar said there was "no hope" of a safe return, describing torture, rape and killings during the crackdown. "There is no hope for us to return home. There are no realistic plans that can be implemented," he said. Bangladeshi authorities say they are already overstretched and have called for the dignified return of the Rohingya to their homeland.
The 2017 Myanmar crackdown, which saw Rohingya villages burned and civilians killed, is the subject of a genocide case at the UN's top court in The Hague. In a joint statement on Tuesday, diplomatic missions in Bangladesh said conditions in Myanmar do not currently allow for safe repatriation. "Regrettably, conflict is escalating across Rakhine and humanitarian need is rising," the statement said, citing airstrikes on civilian infrastructure and blockades on aid and trade.
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