Vulnerable To Crimes, Bangladesh Sends Thousands Of Rohingya Refugees To Small Islands

JAKARTA - Bangladesh will move more than 3,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees to a small island in the Bay of Bengal, Bhasan Char. This was done because of the plight of the Rohingya refugees in the border camps. What's more, the crowds of the camps can lead to crime.

"Most likely, they will be taken to Chittagong tomorrow and the next day, they will be sent to Bhasan Char from there", said Navy Commodore Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury.

“Last time, we had 700 to 1,000 preparations but in the end, more than 1,800 Rohingya moved there. People who moved earlier called their relatives and friends to go there. That's why more people go there", he added.

Bangladesh also confirmed that the displacement of Rohingya refugees was intended to reduce overcrowding in camps in Cox's Bazar. Moreover, the crowded conditions of refugees allow criminal acts to occur.

In line with that, the government dismissed global concerns that the move of Rohingya refugees to the island was not the right answer. This is because the owner of the policy ensures that the island will not be flooded because the embankment construction has been carried out. the presence of the embankment will protect the island along with housing for 100 thousand refugees as well as other facilities such as a hospital.

"The UN has previously shared terms of reference with the government for technical and safeguard assessments to evaluate the safety and sustainability of life in Bhasan Char, although we have not been allowed to carry out this assessment", the UN refugee agency said.

"We emphasize that all movements to Bhasan Char must be voluntary and based on comprehensive information on living conditions on the island and the rights and services that refugees there have access to", the statement added.

Earlier, the Bangladesh government said the relocation was voluntary. However, some refugees from the first group to go to the island in early December talk about forced relocation, while the Rohingya are a minority group fleeing violence from Myanmar's predominantly Buddhist government.