Rohingyas demand swift repatriation to Myanmar

Staff Reporter  :
The Rohingyas residing in different camps in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday urged the international community to make arrangement for their quick repatriation to their homeland in Myanmar.
The demand came during a gathering of the Rohingyas living in at least 13 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf where thousands of these people gathered to draw international attention for their repatriation.
During the gathering, Rohingya community representatives said that they had sought refuge in Bangladesh due to persecution, violence, and atrocities committed in Myanmar.
They also expressed gratitude to the Bangladeshi government for providing shelter and sought a quick return to their own country.
Jadimura Shalbagan camp leader, Bajlul Rahman, said, “We do not want to stay in Bangladesh anymore. We want to return to our own country without delay. We would return home if we get citizenship, security, and freedom of movement in our own village.”
Khalid Hossain, Deputy Secretary of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission, told the media that Rohingya residing in Ukhiya-Teknaf camps in Cox’s Bazar peacefully organised the gathering to advocate for their swift repatriation. Rohingya individuals from several camps raised their voices, expressing their desire to return to Myanmar.
Mohammed Zubair, the Chairman of Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Humanitarianism, said, “We no longer want the life of refugees. In the coming days, we want to live in our homeland in Arakan. We urge the international community to take effective measures regarding our repatriation.”
In August 2017, the Myanmar military launched a brutal crackdown on the Rohingya population in the Rakhine State, resulting in killings, violence, and mass displacement.
Over 700,000 Rohingya sought shelter in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, crossing the border to escape persecution. They joined the already present Rohingya population, who had previously fled from similar atrocities.
The demand for immediate repatriation echoes the aspirations of the Rohingya people to return to their homeland and rebuild their lives.
The Rohingyas urged the international community to take concrete actions to facilitate their safe and voluntary repatriation process.
With the mediation of China, both Bangladesh and Myanmar are working on the repatriation process to start on a pilot basis.
Some of the Rohingyas had also visited their villages to see the condition of living as arranged by the Myanmar government after their repatriation.
However, after paying the visit to Maungdaw in Myanmar, the Rohingya representatives said that they would not return until they get their citizenship. But the Myanmar side told them the Rohingyas would get national verification card when they will return.
However, the cycle of six years is going to be completed in August 25, but the repatriation process has not been commenced yet through several attempts were taken and ended in smoke.