Rohingya in Bangladesh "have zero trust in Myanmar military government"

Khalid Umar Malik
29 May 2023, 18:06 GMT+10

Human Rights Watch has sharply criticized a plan to repatriate Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Myanmar, claiming that it poses "grave risks" to their lives and liberty.
About a million Rohingya live in Bangladesh, most of whom fled a 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar, which is now the subject of a United Nations genocide investigation.
Despite the UN's repeated warnings, the two countries plan to return approximately 1,100 people in a pilot project in the coming weeks.

DHAKA, Bangladesh - Human Rights Watch has sharply criticized a plan to repatriate Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Myanmar, claiming that it poses "grave risks" to their lives and liberty.

About a million Rohingya live in Bangladesh, most of whom fled a 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar, which is now the subject of a United Nations genocide investigation.

Despite the UN's repeated warnings, the two countries plan to return approximately 1,100 people in a pilot project in the coming weeks.

"Bangladesh authorities should not forget why Rohingya fled in the first place and acknowledge that none of those factors have changed," HRW said.

"Bangladesh is tired of being a host country, but returning refugees to the control of a ruthless Myanmar junta will only set the stage for the next devastating exodus," the group said.

Bangladesh's refugee commissioner, Mizanur Rahman, denied any claims of coercing the Rohingya to return or failing to consult with them.

It added that 600,000 Rohingya in Myanmar's Rakhine state are confined to squalid camps and villages, leaving them vulnerable to extreme weather events such as Cyclone Mocha.

Earlier this month, 20 Rohingya visited two Rakhine resettlement camps where the military government intends to house them.

"We are not prepared to take even one step towards Myanmar." The arrangement they made for us is insufficient to ensure our safety. We have also received no justice for previous persecutions," said Hafiz Solaiman, 38.

"We have zero trust in the Myanmar government."

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Nepal National.

More Information

22 ℃

Mostly Cloudy in Kathmandu

Business

Section

Dubai real estate market on fire, billions of dollars in transactions each week

DUBAI, UAE - The bustling real estate market in Dubai has surged to unprecedented heights, reporting transactions valued at over ...

US business optimism about China at record low: Survey

SHANGHAI, China: A survey published this week by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Shanghai showed that political tensions ...

eVTOL maker Joby chooses Ohio for its flying taxis plant

DAYTON, Ohio: Under an agreement announced this week, Joby Aviation will produce state-of-the-art electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft ...