Nearly 1 lakh Rohingyas hold mass rally in Cox's Bazar demanding repatriation with rights
Describing their current plight as "living in a cage", the Myanmar nationals said they are eager to escape the hardships of their refugee life and believe that returning to their homeland with guaranteed civil rights and security is the only solution
Highlights
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Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar demand for a secure return to Myanmar
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Leaders urge action against Arakan Army's abuses in Myanmar
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The event promoted harmony and discouraged camp crimes
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Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar held a mass rally today (25 December), demanding repatriation to Myanmar with their rights and security ensured.
Describing their current plight as "living in a cage", the Myanmar nationals said they are eager to escape the hardships of their refugee life and believe that returning to their homeland with guaranteed civil rights and security is the only solution.
They also demanded that the international community play a vital role in ensuring the safety of Rohingyas in Myanmar and facilitate their swift return to their homeland.
The mass gathering took place at the Ukhiya Kutupalong no 1 East Rohingya Camp, Additional DIG Siraj Amin, commander of the 14th Armed Police Battalion, responsible for law and order in the Rohingya camps, confirmed the matter.
Organised by the "Islami Mahasa," a youth organisation within the camp, the rally brought together nearly one lakh Rohingyas of various ages, he said.
Speaking at the rally, Mohammad Jobayer, a Rohingya leader, said the Rohingyas are prepared to return to their homeland in Myanmar's Rakhine (Arakan) State.
He emphasised the need for cooperation from the United Nations and the Bangladesh government to facilitate the repatriation process. "If the Myanmar government accepts the Rohingya's demands, they will return."
The Rohingya leader highlighted that the stronghold of the Arakan Army in Myanmar's Rakhine (Arakan) state has further complicated the repatriation process, as the Arakan Army continues to oppress and kill Rohingyas.
He urged the United Nations and the international community to take swift action to ensure Rohingya citizenship rights, security, and dignified repatriation.
The Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mohammad Mizanur Rahman told The Business Standard that the rally was organised to promote peace and harmony among the Rohingyas and to discourage criminal activities within the camps.
"Permission for the rally was granted on Monday," he said.
The commissioner further said, "We visited Rakhine in 2023 as part of repatriation talks, with support from China. At that time, there was a peace treaty between the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army, but when fighting broke out, the repatriation was foiled. Now, we are working to make the Rohingyas understand that they need to come forward for their repatriation and return to their country.
"We are motivating them to avoid fighting in the camps, which has resulted in no gunfights in the camps for the last month," he added.
Over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees are currently residing in 33 camps in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char in Noakhali district. Recently, an additional 60,000 Rohingyas have sought refuge in Cox's Bazar due to ongoing conflicts between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar Army.
