Rohingyas of Ukhiya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar staged a rally with seven demands including repatriation marking five years since the genocide in Myanmar and their forced relocation in Bangladesh.

Some 12 rallies were held in Lambashia, Shafiullah Kata, Balukhali, Jamtali, Hakimpara, Madhurchhara and other camps amid tight security measures taken by Armed Police Battalion (APBn).

The Rohingya refugees demanded immediate beginning of their repatriation to Myamnmar, justice for Rohingya genocide, returning their citizenship rights, cancellation of Myanmar Citizenship Act 1982, returning their lands in Rakhine state, and safe zones for Rohingyas in Myamnar in the rallies.

Secretaries of Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPHR) Master Jobair, Master Nurul Amin, Mohammad Rafiq, Jumadila Begum spoke at the rally held at Lambashia camp.

On August 25, 2019, first millions of Rohingyas gathered for a rally led by ARSPHR president Mohib Ullah, who was later shot dead in the camp on September 29, 202.

For the last two years Rohingyas were not allowed to hold such huge rallies in the camp. This year they got approval to hold separate rallies in different camps, said some of the organizers.

In 2017, Rohingyas were forced to leave their country and take refuge in Bangladesh after facing the most heinous ethnic cleansing campaign by the Myanmar Army.

Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a repatriation deal on November 23, 2017.

On January 16, 2018 Bangladesh and Myanmar inked a document on “Physical Arrangement”, which was supposed to facilitate the return of Rohingyas to their homeland.

Also read: FM reiterates Dhaka’s call for repatriation of Rohingyas