Rohingya
Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar camps rally marking 5th anniversary of genocide
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
Humanizing refugees
Human civilization has evolved at different paces in multiple and conflicting directions over the course of known history.
Slavery is a thing of the past, yet we intermittently get news of modern-day slavery in sweatshops in different parts of the world. Racism is frowned upon, still, we see examples of rampant racial prejudice even in the most civilized nations of the world. But there is still hope. Thinkers and wise men are continuously pushing the boundaries of conventional thoughts to hasten the process of evolution in the right direction. Hence, we hear concepts like speciesism at a time when we are still fighting a global plague of xenophobia and racism.
The progress from eliminating racism today to a future where speciesism gets mainstream traction is a distant road to be taken for our human race. But this piece is not about the thoughts of the non-conformist philosophers who despise the thought of the human race plundering mother earth and its millions of species sharing the world we live in. This piece is about the major milestones that are far more pressing and long overdue.
One such milestone is creating a world where each human being has the right to belong, right to a state, and right to basic rights irrespective of creed, color, or anything that differentiates one from another. A civilized world cannot bear to see stateless human beings living with the constant fear of persecution. No matter how evolved we are with our technological advancements and refined way of living, if the fruits of our collective achievements are devoid of empathy towards millions who are not given the basic privileges of human existence, we cannot celebrate nor take rest.
This crucial aspect of human evolution needs more attention. As an artist, I lived in my own microcosm like most of us in our little selfish lives. But it all changed when I started working closely with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and started visiting the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar. The continuous interaction with refugees made me realize that the things we take for granted are so coveted by many. Even a selfish human being with a minimum sense of empathy would agree that this global crisis with a very local presence needs more attention.
Read:Myanmar: Hanging activists in a ruined economy
We cannot turn a blind eye to the refugee crisis at home and across the world and accept it as normal. Five years on from the mass exodus of the Rohingya, their displacement in Bangladesh has become protracted. Some 930,000 are living in Bangladesh today. Prolonged exile is unacceptable. We must support them until they can safely return home because all human beings deserve to live full and dignified lives.
UNHCR has confirmed its commitment and called on other humanitarians to deepen the support to the generous Bangladesh government and people hosting the Rohingya. We have moved past the initial emergency phase of this crisis and are working to ensure that refugees are protected and have access to basic services and rights. This includes providing access to education, skills development training and livelihoods, which are also key to prepare them for return so they may rebuild their lives and communities.
Though the host community has been very gracious in accepting refugees, some have not been very congenial, which is normal considering we still live in a world where xenophobia and racism are not something we have been able to eradicate.
We must raise our voices to make sure that exile and marginalization of the Rohingya people do not become normalized. And as time progresses, I’m increasingly convinced that this refugee crisis at home and also globally can only be solved with a concerted effort by world leaders. The solutions are political, and the Rohingya will only be able to return once Myanmar ensures their safety and access to rights. But on a philosophical level, more concerted efforts on educating the next generation about racism and xenophobia are more important. Only then may we have leaders who understand that every single human being has the right to belong, a right to a state, and access to basic rights irrespective of creed, color, or anything that differentiates one from another.
Tahsan Khan is the Goodwill Ambassador of UNHCR in Bangladesh
India to offer shelter to Rohingyas in Delhi
In a complete U-turn from its stand on Rohingyas, India on Wednesday decided to offer shelter to the Muslim refugees who poured into this country in the wake of ethnic violence in neighbouring Myanmar.
Indian Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri took to Twitter to inform the government's decision. "India has always welcomed those who have sought refuge in the country," he wrote.
"In a landmark decision all #Rohingya #Refugees will be shifted to EWS (economically weaker section) flats in Bakkarwala area of Delhi. They will be provided basic amenities, UNHCR IDs & round-the-clock @DelhiPolice protection," the Minister said.
According to the United Nations, an estimated 40,000 Rohingya refugees are currently in India, most of them having fled Myanmar in 2017 when a military crackdown began against them there.
Read: Dhaka to reach out to global leaders at UNGA with Rohingya issue
In the absence of a clear refugee policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist BJP government has for long termed the Rohingya refugees as “illegal immigrants” and a “threat to national security.”
India had earlier given shelter to Tibetan refugees and Tamil refugees from the neighbouring island nation of Sri Lanka, despite not being a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol.
Rohingya leaders shot dead in Cox’s Bazar
Two Rohingya leaders were shot dead allegedly by assailants over past enmity at Ukhia Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday night.
The deceased were identified as Abu Taleb, 40, community head of Camp-15 and son of Abdur Rahim, and Syed Hossain, 35, sub-block community head of the camp and son of Imam Hossain.
Additional superintendent of Armed Police Battalion (APBn)-8, Kamran Hossain, said that 8-10 armed men came to Asia Begum Shed of the camp and opened fire on Taleb and Hossain around 11.45 pm, leaving them seriously injured on the spot.
Read: Narayanganj 7-murder: Nur Hossain gets life term in arms case
They were taken to a local hospital but doctors referred them to Kutupalong Hospital. Later they succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.
The APBn members raided the blocks of the camps on Wednesday morning and are trying to arrest the criminals, said Kamran.
A complaint has been lodged in connection with the attack with Ukhia Police, said officer-in-charge of Ukhia Police Station, Mohammad Ali.
Rohingya shot dead in Cox’s Bazar
A Rohingya man was shot dead in a reported gunfight between two factions of Rohingya at Nayapara in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar district on Sunday night, police said on Monday.
The deceased was identified as Ibrahim, son of Abdur Razzak of the upazila. He was a supporter of ‘Jakir Bahini’ a Rohingya criminal gang.
Hasan Bari Nur, commanding officer of APBn-16, two Rohingya criminal gangs exchanged gunfire in the Rohingya camp on Sunday night.
On information, a team of APBn rushed to the spot and found Ibrahim injured with bullets.
Also read: Seven Rohingyas detained while trying to escape Bhasan Char
Later, he was taken to the local hospital where doctors referred him to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.
Ibrahim died on way to Cox’s Bazar hospital.
Police are investigating the incident and trying to arrest the culprits, said police.
Also read: Rohingya refugee shot dead at Ukhiya Camp
Rohingya mother, son held with gold bars in Chattogram
A Rab team has detained a Rohingya woman and her son along with gold ornaments including eight gold bars worth Tk 1.5 crore from Chattogram’s Jongol Salimpur area.
Lieutenant Colonel MA Yusuf, Commander of Rab-7, gave the information Saturday noon.
Also read: Rohingya man shot dead in Cox’s Bazar
In a separate drive, Rab members detained two people, including the main accused in a rape case that occurred on July 28 from Barobkunda area under Chattogram’s Sitakunda upazila.
Besides, Rab members detained two drug traders with 3,56,000 yaba pills worth Tk 10 crore from Teknaf area of Cox’s Bazar.
Also read: UN court rejects Myanmar claims, will hear Rohingya case
Rab-7 will provide details of these detention at a press briefing to be held at its Chandgaon office this afternoon.
IUB launches research publication on Rohingya camp narratives
The Department of Global Studies and Governance (GSG) of the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) Thursday launched the book titled "Rohingya Camp Narratives: Tales From the 'Lesser Roads' Traveled."
It is the fourth international volume that the department published in the last five years.
Edited by Dr Imtiaz A Hussain, professor at the department of GSG and director of IUB's Centre for Pedagogy, and published by renowned international publishing house Palgrave Macmillan, the book contains 13 chapters.
The book was reviewed by Professor Dr Meghna Guhathakurta, executive director of Research Initiative Bangladesh, and Dr Tasneem Siddiqui, professor and chairperson at the Department of Political Science, University of Dhaka, and founding chair of RMMRU.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen joined the programme online as the chief guest.
Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury, secretary (west) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Johannes van der Klaauw, UNHCR's representative in Bangladesh, attended the programme as special guests.
Abdul Hai Sarkar, chairman of the IUB Board of Trustees, Tanweer Hasan, vice-chancellor of IUB, and former ambassador Tariq A Karim, director of IUB's Center for Bay of Bengal Studies, also spoke.
Professor Taiabur Rahman, dean of IUB's School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, moderated the programme.
Also read: Thai envoy visits Rohingya camps
UN court rejects Myanmar claims, will hear Rohingya case
Judges at the United Nations’ highest court on Friday dismissed preliminary objections by Myanmar to a case alleging the Southeast Asian nation is responsible for genocide against the Rohingya ethnic minority.
The decision establishing the International Court of Justice’s jurisdiction sets the stage for hearings airing evidence of atrocities against the Rohingya that human rights groups and a U.N. probe say breach the 1948 Genocide Convention. In March, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the violent repression of the Rohingya population in Myanmar, which formerly was known as Burma, amounts to genocide.
Tun Khin, president of the Burmese Rohingya Organization UK, welcomed the decision, saying 600,000 Rohingya “are still facing genocide,” while “one million people in Bangladesh camps, they are waiting for a hope for justice.”
The African nation of Gambia filed the case in 2019 amid international outrage at the treatment of the Rohingya, hundreds of thousands of whom fled to neighboring Bangladesh amid a brutal crackdown by Myanmar forces in 2017. It argued that both Gambia and Myanmar were parties to the 1948 convention and that all signatories hade a duty to ensure it was enforced.
Judges at the court agreed.
Reading a summary of the decision, the court’s president, U.S. Judge Joan E. Donoghue, said: “Any state party to the Genocide Convention may invoke the responsibility of another state party including through the institution of proceedings before the court.”
A small group of pro-Rohingya protesters gathered outside the court’s headquarters, the Peace Palace, ahead of the decision with a banner reading: “”Speed up delivering justice to Rohingya. The genocide survivors can’t wait for generations.”
One protester stamped on a large photograph of Myanmar’s military government leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing.
Read: UN court to rule on jurisdiction in Rohingya genocide case
The court rejected arguments raised at hearings in February by lawyers representing Myanmar that the case should be tossed out because the world court only rules in disputes between states and the Rohingya complaint was brought by Gambia on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The judges also dismissed Myanmar’s claim that Gambia could not file the case as it was not directly linked to the events in Myanmar and that a legal dispute did not exist between the two countries before the case was filed.
Myanmar’s representative, Ko Ko Hlaing, the military government’s minister for international cooperation, said his nation “will try our utmost to defend our country and to protect our national interest.”
Gambia’s attorney general and justice minister, Dawda Jallow, said: “We are very pleased that justice has been done.”
The Netherlands and Canada have backed Gambia, saying in 2020 that the country “took a laudable step towards ending impunity for those committing atrocities in Myanmar and upholding this pledge. Canada and the Netherlands consider it our obligation to support these efforts which are of concern to all of humanity.”
However, the court ruled Friday that it “would not be appropriate” to send the two countries copies of documents and legal arguments filed in the case.
Myanmar’s military launched what it called a clearance campaign in Rakhine state in 2017 in the aftermath of an attack by a Rohingya insurgent group. More than 700,000 Rohingya fled into neighboring Bangladesh. Myanmar security forces have been accused of mass rapes, killings and torching thousands of Rohingya homes.
Read: Genocide against Rohingya: Bangladesh welcomes ICJ's rejection of Myanmar claims
In 2019, lawyers representing Gambia at the ICJ outlined their allegations of genocide by showing judges maps, satellite images and graphic photos of the military campaign. That led the court to order Myanmar to do all it can to prevent genocide against the Rohingya. The interim ruling was intended to protect the minority while the case is decided in The Hague, a process likely to take years.
The International Court of Justice rules on disputes between states. It is not linked to the International Criminal Court, also based in The Hague, which holds individuals accountable for atrocities. Prosecutors at the ICC are investigating crimes committed against the Rohingya who were forced to flee to Bangladesh.
Rohingya man shot dead in Cox’s Bazar
A 42-year-old Rohingya refugee was shot dead allegedly by assailants at Balukhali camp in Ukhiya of Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday evening.
The deceased was identified as Mohammad Shah, a resident of Modhur Chhora camp-17 in Balukhali.
Read: Rohingya boatman hacked to death in Cox's Bazar
Deceased’s wife Sazeda Begum said that the assailants shot Mohammad Shah while he was talking over the phone near a shop in the camp in the Modhur Chhora area at 5pm on Wednesday and fled immediately.
Later, he was rushed to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival, said Sheikh Md Ali, officer-in-charge of Ukhiya police station.
The body was kept in the hospital morgue for an autopsy, he said. "Efforts are on to identify and nab the killers,” said the OC.
Photo exhibition titled “We are Rohingya” in city Monday
UN refugee agency - UNHCR and the Liberation War Museum of Bangladesh will host an exhibition titled “We are Rohingya” which will be inaugurated on Monday.
The exhibition will be opened at 11:00 am in the temporary exhibition hall of the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka.
On the occasion of World Refugee Day, this photographic exhibition presents the work of 10 Rohingyas who photographed people living in the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar.
Curated by David Palazon and Amena Khatun from the Liberation War Museum, the display includes 50 photographs that capture the culture, identity, hopes and dreams of people who escaped from violence and persecution in Myanmar and found refuge in Bangladesh.
READ: Rohingyas: Dhaka asks Nay Pyi Taw to expedite verification for early repatriation
The exhibition also includes 11 photographs from the Liberation War Museum archives that capture the lives and stories of Bangladeshi nationals, who in 1971 were forced to flee and lived as refugees, during the Liberation War.
This exhibition shows how the lived memory of millions of Bangladeshi uprooted during the Liberation War has inspired the generosity and protection the country is now extending to the persecuted Rohingya from neighbouring Myanmar, said the UNHCR.