One year later, Rohingya refugees still struggling in Bangladesh

Since 25 August 2017, more than 700,000 Rohingya fled from northern Rakhine state in Myanmar after a brutal military crackdown and struggling for survival in the sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh. In last November Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a deal to repatriate them but it has stalled.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees are celebrating Eid al-Adha in sprawling Bangladeshi camps. Source: AP Photo/Altaf Qadri

Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh government Mr M Shahidul Haque told UNB they are very hopeful that Rohingyas will return to their homes in Rakhine through a process.

He said the repatriation process is getting delayed a bit while Rohingyas want safety, security and their citizenship rights before they return to Myanmar.

"There's no doubt they'll go back to Myanmar."

Rohingya children enjoy a ride on a merry-go-round during Eid al Adha celebration at Kutupalong refugee camp, Bangladesh, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. Source: AP Photo/Altaf Qadri

The deputy Asia director of the Human Rights Watch, Phil Robertson said,

“The torture of Rohingya returnees puts the lie to Myanmar government promises that refugees who return will be safe and protected”.

“Despite Myanmar’s rhetoric guaranteeing a safe and dignified return, the reality is that Rohingya who go back still face the persecution and abuses they were forced to flee.”

 

Listen to this report (in Bangla) in the audio player above.

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