Rohingya
UN experts for immediate funding to avert food ration cuts for Rohingyas
UN experts on Thursday warned about catastrophic consequences for Myanmar Rohingya refugees living in camps in Bangladesh if life-saving food aid is slashed and issued an urgent plea for donations to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) Rohingya Refugee Response.
"The planned rations reductions are the devastating consequence of the international community's failure to provide funding for initiatives that address the fundamental needs of Rohingya refugees. Rations will be slashed for Rohingya refugees starting in a few weeks, just before Ramadan. This is unconscionable," the experts said.
The WFP indicated that it would reduce rations for Rohingya refugees by 17 percent in March and said if no new funding commitments were made by April – a new round of deeper cuts would have to be made. It is appealing for $125 million in funding to avoid ration cuts.
"If these cuts are made, they will be imposed on vulnerable people who are already food insecure. Acute malnutrition levels remain high, and chronic malnutrition is pervasive among the Rohingya refugee population in Bangladesh, with more than a third of children stunted and underweight," the UN experts said.
"The repercussions of these cuts will be immediate and long-lasting, as refugees remain almost entirely dependent on this assistance for their nutritional needs," they said.
"The most vulnerable, including children under five, adolescent girls, and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, will be particularly exposed."
"The Rohingya, survivors of genocidal attacks by the Myanmar military, are now further victimised by the failure of the international community to ensure their basic right to food," the UN experts said.
Reductions in vital food assistance can make refugees more desperate, which could fuel further violence and unrest in the camps. This could also lead to myriad human rights concerns, such as a heightened risk of human trafficking, particularly of children and girls, and more refugees embarking on perilous boat journeys.
"While many states have called for justice and accountability for the Rohingya, those in the camps need more than words and statements of solidarity. Rohingya refugees need immediate action from the international community to ensure that these cuts – and their generation-spanning consequences – are avoided. The stakes could not be higher," Michael Fakhri, special rapporteur on the right to food, and Thomas Andrews (US), special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, said.
Read more: Rohingya response: Sweden announces $7.6m for energy, environment programme
Rohingya response: Sweden announces $7.6m for energy, environment programme
At the end of a two-day visit to Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg von Linde announced her country's latest contribution of $7.6 million for the energy and environment programme of the Rohingya response.
The contribution will support the provision of cleaner cooking energy to Rohingya refugees, the continued rehabilitation of ecosystems and the facilitation of enhanced skills development for refugees and Bangladeshi host communities.
These activities are part of the Safe Access to Fuel and Energy Plus, phase 2 programme (SAFE+2), a joint UN program which brings together the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and the World Food Programme (WFP).
"It has been impressive to see the positive impact that the SAFE+2 programme has had on Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi host communities," said Alexandra.
"As a substantial amount of forest in the Cox's Bazar area had initially been impacted following the large Rohingya influx in 2017, it is good to see that through a programme like SAFE+2, the area around the Cox's Bazar refugee camps has largely been regreened and reforested."
"This contribution from the government and the people of Sweden will allow us to provide some 190,000 refugee households with liquified petroleum gas (LPG). This cleaner cooking fuel improves refugees' well-being and living conditions, as it reduces smoke inhalation and prevents gender-based violence and other protection risks related to the collection of firewood from forests," said Johannes van der Klaauw, UNHCR representative in Bangladesh.
"It will allow for a successful rehabilitation of the environment and ecosystems of the area and substantially reduce CO2 emissions."
The distribution of LPG and fuel-efficient cooking equipment enables an energy transition away from firewood and associated deforestation. The programme, including its phase 1 component, has so far prevented the emission of over 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
The programme's impact is being enhanced through replanting, reforestation, and the improvement of watersheds. The joint programme also supports the resilience of vulnerable refugees and host communities, through skills development projects related to environmental improvements and agriculture.
Sweden has supported the SAFE+ programme since it was first initiated in 2019 and then led by IOM. SAFE+2 was launched as a joint UN programme in July 2022, building on the successes and learnings from the first phase. The second phase of the programme is currently supported by the governments of Sweden and Canada.
As it has been close to six years since over 700,000 Rohingya refugees were forced to flee violence and persecution in Myanmar, the Rohingya situation in Bangladesh is now officially considered a protracted refugee situation.
Currently, some 920,000 Rohingya refugees remain hosted in densely populated camps in the Cox's Bazar area, with an additional 30,000 refugees living on Bhasan Char.
Read more: US Counselor Chollet due Tuesday; Rohingya issue likely to get priority
Next national polls will be free and fair: PM Hasina tells US official
PM-Chollet, LdNext national polls will be free and fair: PM Hasina tells US official
Eds: Updates with details
Dhaka, Feb 15 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the next parliamentary election will be fair and free as she is committed to democracy and the Election Commission is completely independent.
“The next election will be fair and free. I fought for democracy throughout my life,” she said.
Read More: Clashes, obstruction by ruling party mark BNP’s nationwide march programme
The premier said this when a US delegation, led by Counselor of the US Department of State Derek Chollet, paid a courtesy call on her at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban.
PM’s Speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.
Hasina said if the people vote for Awami League in the next general election, her party will take the charge of governing the country.
“I never want to come to power through vote-rigging,” she was quoted as saying.
Read More: Govt is preparing to hold a free, fair election: PM
The PM said she always struggled for the people’s rights to food and vote.
She said the first-ever EC’s reconstitution law was passed in parliament and then a neutral Election Commission was constituted on the basis of the law.
She said the EC is completely independent. It has administrative and financial independence, she added.
Bangladesh is due to elect its next parliament by end of this year or first week of January next year.
Read More: Next general election to be held first week of 2024: PM Hasina announces at Cox’s Bazar rally
The last parliamentary election was held on December 30, 2018.
The prime minister said no political parties in the country other than Awami League have bases at the grassroots level. Opposition BNP and Jatiya Party were born in the cantonments, she noted.
She said AL has been in power only for 19 years in the 51-year history of the country’s independence. The anti-Awami League forces were in power for 29 years and there was no democratic polity during their regimes.
Focusing on the development of Bangladesh in different socio-economic indexes, she said the transformation of the country has become visible in the last 14 years during her government. It has been possible due to the continued democratic practice and stability in the country, she added.
Read More: EC to purchase 700mt paper from Karnaphuli Mills ahead of national election
Nazrul said the Russia-Ukraine war and Rohingya issues also came up for the discussion in the meeting.
PM Hasina tells the US delegation that the world should stop this war right now as it has caused high inflation and commodity prices throughout the globe.
“A war never can bring any benefit for the human kind,” she said.
Noting that the USA is the most powerful country, she said it can stop the war anytime. The disputes can be settled through negotiation, she said.
Read more: ‘Bir Nibash’: PM gives away keys to 5000 houses for disadvantaged freedom fighters
About Rohingyas, the PM said the displaced Myanmar nationals have become a big burden for Bangladesh. The local communities in Cox’s Bazar are suffering and they have become minority due to the influx of such a huge number of Myanmar nationals there.
She said the Rohingya peoples are being involved in different criminal activities like drug trafficking, human trafficking, militancy and infightings.
The premier said the displaced Myanmar nationals have been staying in Cox’s Bazar for five years and now it is difficult to keep them there as its natural environment and the livelihood of locals are at stake.
She said her government arranged different facilities, including income generating programmes, to ensure better life of the Rohingya people on Bhashanchar island.
Read More: EVMs to be used partially again in next JS election: EC
She asked the world community to provide their assistance to Rohingya people on Bhashanchar.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar and Bhasanchar, she said
PM Hasina also asked the international community to try their best for speedy and amicable repatriation of the Rohingya refugees. to Myanmar, their homeland.
Derek Chollet thanked the prime minister for giving shelter to the Rohingya people on humanitarian ground.
Read More: CEC estimates 15 to 20 percent by-poll voter turnout in 6 JS seats left vacant by BNP
He said they would try their best for the repatriation of the displaced people.
However, the Counselor to the Secretary of State of the United States said the repatriation will be possible when a democratic government returns to power in Myanmar.
He said some recent high-level visits of US officials are reflection of the importance of the bilateral relations between the two countries. This relation will grow further, Chollet added.
He said there are potentials to deepen the bilateral relations, but there are some challenges here.
Read More: EVM purchasing suspended, not cancelled: EC secretary
Chollet arrived here on Tuesday for a 24-hour stay in Bangladesh.
PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas were present.
US trying to ease pressure on Bangladesh from Rohingya crisis: Counselor Chollet
The issues related to the Rohingya crisis and overall security in the Indo-Pacific region are likely to get priority during Counselor of the US Department of State Derek Chollet's Bangladesh visit next week.
"We are deeply concerned about the situation in Myanmar which is only getting worse," said Chollet ahead of the planned visit which may last for around 24 hours.
Talking at the television talk show "Tritiyo Matra" online, the US counselor said they are doing whatever they can in cooperation with Bangladesh and to try to ease the pressure on the country from the refugee crisis by providing critical assistance to it to support its humanitarian needs, also with efforts to try to bring some of the refugees back to the US.
Highlighting the importance of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, he said Bangladesh is an important partner and that is why they have seen such a steady stream of high-level visitors.
The Indo-Pacific Strategy of the US outlines President Biden's vision to more firmly anchor the country in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen the region in the process. Its central focus is a sustained and creative collaboration with allies, partners, and institutions, within the region and beyond it.
About democracy, the US counselor said they acknowledge that no democracy is perfect but they always try to make themselves better and try to acknowledge their mistakes and improve.
He said when they talk about freedom of press, free and fair elections or free civil society, they do so freely in the "spirit of partnership and friendship."
The forthcoming visit of US Counselor Chollet will help strengthen Bangladesh-US relations, said a spokesperson Thursday.
"Counselor Derek Chollet will be visiting Bangladesh. The purpose of his visit is to strengthen the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States," Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin told reporters in the afternoon.
The US Counselor serves at the rank of under secretary as a senior policy advisor to the US secretary of state on a wide range of issues and conducts special diplomatic assignments as directed by the secretary.
Sabrin said Chollet will also discuss the Rohingya issue and see the situation on the ground. Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char.
"The programmes are yet to be finalised," said the spokesperson about Chollet's planned February 14-15 visit.
Chollet previously held positions at the state department, the White House, and the Department of Defence.
From 2012-2015, he was the US assistant secretary of defence for international security affairs, where he managed US defence policy towards Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Western Hemisphere.
Before joining the Pentagon, Chollet served at the White House as special assistant to the president and senior director for strategic planning on the National Security Council (NSC) staff.
From 2009 to 2011, he was the principal deputy director of the state department's policy planning staff.
He served on the 2020 Biden-Harris State Department transition team as well as the 2008 Obama-Biden NSC transition team.
Read more: US Counselor Chollet's visit to help strengthen Dhaka-Washington ties: Spokesperson
Bangladesh facing internal security threats in fallout of Rohingya crisis
Brig Gen (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain on Tuesday said that the Rohingya crisis is already creating internal security threats and Bangladesh could become a "hotbed" in the future if the situation turns into a regional conflict involving India-China-the USA.
The former Election Commissioner made the remarks at a seminar titled "Restoring Peace in Myanmar: Two Years after the Military Coup" organized by the Center for Peace Studies (CPS) of the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance at North South University.
Two years after a military coup in Myanmar, prospects for a return to peace remain bleak as the military has shown no sign of relenting and has instead doubled down on its efforts to continue its rule.
Unless the international community can pressure the military to relinquish power, the prospects for peace and democracy in Myanmar remain dim, speakers at the seminar observed.
Held at Syndicate Hall of North South University, the seminar was moderated by Dr. Ishrat Zakia Sultana, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Sociology Department.
The seminar was addressed by former Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque, Professorial Fellow at SIPG, SIPG Senior Fellow and former Election Commissioner Brig. Gen. Dr. M. Sakhawat Hussain, a Faculty of the University of Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Malaysia Dr. Mahbubul Haque, and President of Rohingya Intellectual Community Australia and Chair of Foreign Affairs of Arakan Rohingya National Organization Dr. Hla Myint, Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, Minister of Health and Education, NUG of Myanmar, joined the program.
Read more: UN adopts resolution on human rights of Rohingya, other minorities in Myanmar
Observing that the country never experienced democracy in the past, Shahidul Haque urged concerted efforts of international agencies to help various groups fighting for democracy in Myanmar.
Dr. Mahbubul Haque suggested Myanmar democracy activists to include Rohingya issue in their ongoing movement.
Dr. Zaw, addressing the issue of Rohingya crisis said, “Rohingya is our people.”
He further resolved that the National Unity Government will solve the Rohingya conflict.
Dr. Hla Myint said, “We the Rohingya, are the most persecuted people in the world. Leaders of the Rohingya community determine a point that it will be in the best interest of the Rohingya community to solve the Rohingya issue by unity. Therefore we have formed Arakan Rohingya Alliance. The primary objective is to seek the right to self-determination and reach out to international actors for the interest of the Rohingya people globally and locally.”
Speakers accused the Myanmar military of committing human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and the use of torture. In addition, the military imposed an internet shutdown, curtailed press freedom, and conducted mass arrests of political dissidents.
With no end to the military’s rule, the people of Myanmar are facing an uncertain future; the discussants observed and urged the international community to take urgent action to ensure that the country can return to democracy and the rule of law and that human rights of its citizens are respected.
Professor Sk. Tawfique M. Haque, Director, South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG), NSU delivered the concluding speech.
Read more: Justice, accountability must for Rohingya, speakers say in The Hague
5 ARSA members arrested in Cox’s Bazar
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested five suspected members of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), including a commander of the organisation, from various Rohingya camps in Ukhiya of Cox's Bazar.
The arrestees are- ARSA commander Dr Rafiq, 54, its members-Mohammad Rafiq, 20, Nurul Amin, 34, Mohammad Rafiq, 21, and Khairul Amin, 32, residents of Ukhiya rohingya camps.
Read more: Myanmar claims mortar shells fired by Arakan Army, ARSA on its border forces landed in Bangladesh
Tipped off, a joint team of Armed Police Battalion (APBn) and Rab conducted drives in various Rohingya camps in Ukhiya in the early hours of Sunday, said Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abu Salam Chowdhury, senior assistant director (media) of Rab-15.
There are several cases against the arrestees on different charges including murder, drugs and police assault.
They were handed over to Ukhiya Police Station, said the officer.
2 ‘militants’ arrested from Kutupalong Rohingya camp after 'gunfight’, Rab says
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) today (January 23, 2023) arrested two suspected members of new militant group 'Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya' after a gunfight at Kutupalong Rohingya camp in Ukhia upazila of Cox's Bazar.
The arrestees were identified as Ronobir, a Shura member and head of the armed wing of the militant group, and his associate Bashar, a bomb-making expert.
Read more: 12 militants, 14 KNF members arrested so far in anti-militancy drive in Bandarban: RAB
A team of Rab-15 conducted a drive in Kutupalong Rohingya camp this morning, said ASP Abu Salam Chowdhury from Cox's Bazar Rab-15.
Sensing the presence of law enforcers, the militants opened fire on them, forcing the Rab personnel to fire back, he added.
Rab arrested the duo along with arms and explosives from a den in the camp following the gunfight. Details will be revealed at a press briefing at Ukhiya Rohingya camp area, the officer said.
Read more: 3 ‘members of new militant outfit’ held with arms, explosives in Bandarban
Pilot project of Rohingya repatriation to be executed at an early date, hopes Shahriar
Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has expressed optimism that the “pilot project” of Rohingya repatriation would be executed at an early date.
He thanked China for its “active role” in a trilateral initiative among Bangladesh, Myanmar and China to provide a platform for dialogue to promote the early return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.
Newly appointed Ambassador of China to Bangladesh Yao Wen met the State Minister for Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (January 22, 2023) afternoon and discussed the issues of mutual interest.
Responding to a question on Rohingya repatriation, Ambassador Wen said they have a common objective with Bangladesh regarding repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland.
Also Read: Will continue to work toward resolution of Rohingya issue: Japan
He recognised Bangladesh's "sacrifice" in hosting the huge number of Rohingyas and assured of playing its role for their repatriation.
“We discussed the issue. You pay a lot. You suffered a lot. You sacrificed a lot. We have the common objective (repatriation),”said Ambassador Wen.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char and not a single Rohingya has been repatriated over the last six years.
The State Minister also highlighted the importance of establishing direct air connectivity and requested the Chinese Ambassador to consider Bangladesh as a suitable place for industry relocation from China, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Also Read: Over 3,500 desperate Rohingya attempted deadly sea crossings in 2022
The Chinese Ambassador showed interest to conclude a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on PPP for the growth of bilateral trade and commerce.
State Minister Alam hoped that the bilateral relations between the two countries would reach new heights during the tenure of the new Ambassador.
Both sides cordially exchanged views on bilateral and multilateral cooperation of mutual interests, including trade and investment, infrastructure development, connectivity and Covid situation.
Congratulating the new Ambassador on the Chinese New Year’s Day, the State Minister thanked China for being the largest bilateral trade partner of Bangladesh.
Read More: China will remain engaged in Bangladesh’s next stage of development journey: Momen
During the meeting, he also thanked the Chinese government for its support in dealing with Covid-19 pandemic and the repatriation of Bangladeshi students from China and their subsequent return to China to continue their higher studies.
He wished Ambassador Yao successful tenure in Bangladesh and assured him of full cooperation in discharge of his duties.
1 Rohingya shot dead, 2 others wounded in Bandarban border shootout
A Rohingya man was shot dead while two others sustained bullet injuries in a gunfight between two armed groups of Myanmar along Tumbru border in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban on Wednesday.
The deceased was identified as Hamid Ullah, 27, a resident of Balukhali Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar while the injured are Mohib Ullah, 25, and Mohammad Hossain, 12. They are the residents of Jadimuda Camp-26 in Teknaf upazila of the district.
According to police and local sources, the firing started between the groups--Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) and Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO ) on the zero line of Konarpara of Tumbru border of Ghumdhum union of Naikhongchhari upazila in the morning.
Multiple incidents of gunfire occurred at a Rohingya camp, set up on the zero line, since 6:00am, leaving the trio injured with bullets.
They were rushed to MSF-run hospital in Kutupalong Rohingya camp where physicians declared Hamid dead, Mahfuzul Islam, superintendent of police in Cox’s Bazar, said.
Read more: Unexploded mortar shells found near Bangladesh-Myanmar border
Besides, the injured have been undergoing treatment at the hospital, he said.
Visiting the spot, the UNB correspondent found that some 30 Rohingyas including children took shelter in Ghumdhum union parishad (UP) leaving the zero line camp following the gunfight.
Later, locals took the Rohingyas to a government primary school for safety.
Ghumdhum UP Chairman Md Jahangir Aziz said locals were in panic following the gunfight between the two armed groups.
Some 4,280 Rohingyas have been residing at the zero line camp since 2017.
Over 3,500 desperate Rohingya attempted deadly sea crossings in 2022
More than 3,500 desperate Rohingya attempted deadly sea crossings in 39 boats in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal in 2022, according to the latest data from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
This represents a 360 per cent increase on the year before when some 700 people made similar journeys, said UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo at a press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Tuesday.
In the absence of a comprehensive regional response to address these perilous maritime movements, UNHCR warns that more people will die on the high seas, under the watch of many coastal States.
UNHCR has recorded an alarming rise in the death toll.
At least 348 individuals died or went missing at sea in 2022, making it one of the deadliest years since 2014.
Some 3,040 individuals who undertook the sea journey disembarked in 2022, primarily in Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Nearly 45 per cent of those who disembarked were women and children, according to the UN Refugee Agency.
In the last two months of 2022, four boats carrying over 450 Rohingya disembarked in Aceh, Indonesia.
One boat carrying over 100 Rohingya disembarked in Sri Lanka.
One boat is feared to have sunk in early December with approximately 180 individuals on board.
Several boats that departed in December remained at sea as of the end of the year.
Read more: Very limited spaces offered for Rohingya resettlement: UNHCR
Calls by UNHCR to maritime authorities in the region to rescue and disembark people in distress have gone unheeded with many boats adrift for weeks.
Most boats departed from Myanmar and Bangladesh, highlighting the growing sense of desperation amongst Rohingya in those two countries.
Those who have disembarked report that they undertook these dangerous sea journeys in an effort to find protection, security, family reunification, and livelihoods in other countries.
Among them are victims of trafficking, unaccompanied and separated children, and survivors of sexual- and gender-based violence.
The current crisis in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea is a crisis of solidarity, UNHCR said.
The Bali Process, a forum for policy dialogue, information sharing and cooperation to address people smuggling, human trafficking and related transnational crime, will hold its 8th Ministerial meeting in February.
Read more: Vulnerable Rohingyas: US to consider resettlement recommendations from UNHCR
UNHCR repeats its call for prompt search and rescue and timely disembarkation in a place of safety, and for support to countries where Rohingya refugees are disembarked.
"We call on countries to redouble efforts to prevent human smuggling and trafficking," said UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo at a press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
There is also a need for humanitarian responsibility to be more evenly distributed among countries in the region to ensure protection responses are predictable, equitable, and sustainable.
The region and the international community need to support efforts to address the root causes of displacement in Myanmar. Until these are resolved, refugees will continue to undertake dangerous journeys in search of safety.