Rohingyas
1,096 more Rohingyas leave for Bhasan Char
As many as 1,096 Rohingyas left Ukhiya camps in Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday in the 13th phase of relocation to Bhasan Char island in Noakhali.
The Rohingya men, women and children left for Chattogram from the Ukhiya Degree College field at 12pm.
Read: 10 diplomats visit Bhasan Char
Shamsuddauja, additional refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, said these Rohingyas are being relocated in the 13th phase and process is on to send others who will agree to go to Bhasan Char.
“They are scheduled to reach Bhasan Char Wednesday afternoon,” he added.
Read: UNHCR sees clear improvement of conditions, services in Bhasan Char
In 12 phases, around 24,578 Rohingyas were shifted to Bhasan Char in December 2020.
Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Most of them came since August 25, 2017, when the Myanmar military launched a brutal offensive targeting the Muslim ethnic minorities.
UNHCR, partners call for sustained funding, support for Rohingyas
As the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh is well advanced in its 5th year, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partners have called once more on the global community to provide sustained support for the Rohingyas and the Bangladeshi communities hosting them.
The 2022 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis is being launched on Tuesday.
To support approximately 1.4 million people, including over 918,000 Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, and around 540,000 Bangladeshis in neighbouring communities, this year’s JRP sought funds of over USD 881 million.
Read: 57 Rohingyas rescued while being trafficked to Malaysia; 2 held
Under the leadership of the Bangladeshi authorities, the JRP’s response for 2022 brings together the activities of 136 partners, of which 74 are Bangladeshi organizations. It also recognizes the significant contributions of the refugees themselves to the response.
The Government of Bangladesh, supported by the international community, has generously hosted Rohingya refugees for decades. At a time when global displacement continues to rise, UNHCR and partners are emphasizing the need to ensure that the Rohingya situation does not become a forgotten crisis.
It is therefore vital to ensure continued funding and support to meet the needs of refugees and surrounding host communities, according to UNHCR.
Given their location and geography, the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar are especially vulnerable to natural disasters. This year’s JRP accordingly highlights the need for enhanced efforts towards disaster risk management and climate change mitigation, including through reforestation and energy interventions.
The solutions to this humanitarian situation ultimately lie within Myanmar. Many Rohingya refugees continue to express their desire to return home when conditions allow. UNHCR and partners continue to maintain a presence in Rakhine State to support Myanmar to create the conditions that would be conducive for such returns. The steadfast support from the international community has been, and will be, crucial in delivering lifesaving protection and assistance services for Rohingya refugees, until they are able to return voluntarily, safely, and with dignity.
Read: Sustainable solution of Rohingya issues lies on repatriation: FS
While they are in Bangladesh, it is important that Rohingya refugees are able to live safe and dignified lives, and that they can develop the skills and capacities that could support their sustainable return in the future.
For the first time, the JRP also includes humanitarian activities on Bhasan Char, where over 24,000 Rohingya refugees have been relocated to date by the Government of Bangladesh. It is critical to continue to scale up essential humanitarian services on the island, including in the areas of health, protection, nutrition, education, and livelihoods and skills building.
The virtual JRP launch event was jointly co-hosted by the Government of Bangladesh, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR.
Myanmar denies genocide, again describes Rohingyas as 'Bengali community'
Myanmar has again refused to accept the Rohingyas as an ethnicity, describing them as "Bengali Community" while responding to the latest US decision which announced that the Myanmar military is responsible for committing genocide against the Rohingya people in Rakhine State.
"As such Myanmar has never engaged in any genocidal actions and does not have any genocidal intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, racial or religious group or any other group," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar in a press release in which Myanmar described the Rohingyas as "Bengali Community."
The Myanmar Ministry reiterated that Myanmar as a party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Statute of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) under the Charter of the United Nations is fully committed to respecting all the existing obligations.
"The narratives mentioned in the speech of the Secretary of State are found to be far from realities and references made were also from unreliable and unverifiable sources as well as sweeping allegations," reads the media release which was shared on its verified page.
READ: US announcement on Rohingya Genocide: Dhaka hopes it helps repatriation
Myanmar strongly objected and categorically rejected the remarks made by the Secretary of State of the United States of America as the contents and narratives therein are politically motivated and tantamount to interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign State.
Matthew Smith, chief executive officer at Fortify Rights, termed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's announcement "historic" for the Rohingya and all people of Myanmar and also for wider efforts to prevent and remedy genocide.
"To prevent genocide, governments must at least acknowledge it when it happens, which is precisely what the US government did today
United Nations member states should publicly acknowledge the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar and ensure that the UN Security Council refers the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC), said Fortify Rights Monday.
"It is a signalling and remarkable milestone for Rohingya victims and survivors that the US has formally determined that the violence committed against Rohingya by the Myanmar military amounts to genocide and crimes against humanity," said Zaw Win, human rights specialist at Fortify Rights.
"It has been a long-term expectation for the Rohingya community. Declaring that what happened to the Rohingya is in fact genocide should spur international accountability efforts and make it more difficult for the Myanmar military to continue its atrocity crimes."
In November 2019, the Gambia filed a case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the UN's highest court, for failing to prevent or punish genocide against Rohingya Muslims. The case is ongoing.
In September 2018, the ICC granted the chief prosecutor jurisdiction to investigate and possibly prosecute the crime against humanity of forced deportation of Rohingyas to Bangladesh, as well as persecution and other inhumane acts.
Last month, Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan concluded his first visit to Bangladesh as part of the ongoing investigation.
While the ICC is investigating forced deportation, it is not yet investigating the crime of genocide against Rohingya.
And the intergovernmental organisation has not yet accepted the National Unity Government of Myanmar's declaration delegating jurisdiction of the court.
The UN Security Council members should immediately put forward a resolution to refer the situation in Myanmar to the ICC, said Fortify Rights.
The UN members should also acknowledge the legitimacy of the National Unity Government of Myanmar and get fully behind its efforts to delegate jurisdiction to the court.
"Secretary Blinken's announcement is historic for the Rohingya and all people of Myanmar and also for wider efforts to prevent and remedy genocide," said Matthew Smith, chief executive officer at Fortify Rights.
"To prevent genocide, governments must at least acknowledge it when it happens, which is precisely what the US government did today."
Roving with Rohingyas: How feminine hearts can make a difference, from scare to care
The first time I was approached to work on the Rohingya community was when a non-governmental organization approached me knowing my humanitarian work as an “artivist”(artist + activist). Indeed, as a UNESCO Artist for Peace, I am using performing art to help survivors suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder to better express themselves. This NGO saw my work in Congo with women victims of excision and decided to have me work in Bangladesh for the Rohingya women population especially.
This NGO is delivering access to information, education, and cultural resources on serving communities subject to systemic discrimination. My goal was to create pedagogical content to help trainers on site to deliver programs to the women population to get a better sense of autonomy and self-confidence thanks to role games. Going back and forth with those trainers allowed me to also have direct access to the Rohingya women population while some gave feedback on some parts of the training and some very interesting insights.
READ: Bangladesh pushes for early repatriation of Rohingyas
I immediately realized the willingness of those women to become more autonomous and to better understand how their own value could make a difference in order for their children could be better treated. This sense of “family first” was very present and being a mother myself I felt very close to M. in particular who was explaining that she would have extreme difficulties not only because of those horrific conditions they are living in but also due to the lack of consideration women have in the clan.
Crimes against Rohingyas: ICC Prosecutor seeks joint efforts to deliver justice
Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Karim A.A. Khan QC has laid emphasis on a collective responsibility which can actually help them move beyond talking about justice to delivering it for the Rohingyas.
“We have to work together to achieve justice. That is what required,” Khan told reporters at a media briefing at a city hotel, noting that justice is an absolutely essential prerequisite for indicating people’s rights.
Read:Fortify Rights wins Anthem Award for Rohingya photography project
Expressing satisfaction over the support he received from Bangladesh so far, the ICC Prosecutor said he looks forward to working with all in Bangladesh, international community and the Rohingyas so that they can actually move forward.
This was Khan’s first visit to Bangladesh in his capacity as ICC Prosecutor and he said the challenge is to move beyond talk and to get actions and results so that “we can get the justice that we need.”
BRAC continues emergency services for Rohingyas, locals amid Covid-19 pandemic: BRAC Global ED
On Tuesday, Global Jerome Oberreit, the Executive Director (ED) of BRAC called for continuing emergency services for Rohingyas and local communities amid Covid-19 by following health rules.
Jerome put emphasis on strengthening BRAC’s humanitarian assistance and necessary activities for the Rohingyas and the local community with the assistance of the government.
He came up with the remark while visiting Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar. He visited different activities of BRAC at camp-1 East, and camp-4 extension at Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar, said a Brac press release.
Read:Serajul Islam Chy, Afsan Chy, 4 others get BRAC Bank-Samakal Lit Award
He instructed all concerned to provide emergency services for Rohingyas people and the host community by following health rules amid Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Md. Akramul Islam, Director of Humanitarian Crisis Management Programme (HCMP) of BRAC; Roberts Sila Muthini, Head of HCMP Programme, among others, were present on the occasion.
Jeromke, during his stay at Rohingya camp, talked to Rohingyas and host community people and was apprised of their problems.
Read Japan to financially support operations of WFP & IOM in Bangladesh
He witnessed primary health care centre, run by BRAC HCMP, water network facility of WASH sector at camp-1 east, mental health and psychosocial support of child protection sector, homestead gardening of agriculture sector, legal protection and community based protection of Protection sector and two-storied learning centre of education sector at camp-4 extension.
The BRAC Global ED said, BRAC has been providing emergency services such as water, food, health care services and rehabilitation for the Rohingyas and local community with the support of the Bangladesh government since the inception of the Rohingya crisis.
Read: BRAC Bank, BFDS ink MoU to ease banking services for freelancers
BRAC continues to provide such services despite the outbreak of Covid-19, he said, hoping that BRAC will also continue it in any crisis moment in the future.
Later, he exchanged views with delegations from the Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), at a hotel in Cox's Bazar.
During the meeting, he emphasized on mutual partnership of BRAC with agencies alongside the Government of Bangladesh.
Read Lack of policy support, absence of infrastructures major impediments in financial inclusion: economists
Our shared aim is to see safe repatriation of Rohingyas: Dickson
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson on Sunday said their shared aim is to see “voluntary, safe and dignified” repatriation for the Rohingya as soon as conditions in Myanmar allow.
“Bangladesh continues to be extraordinarily generous in its response. The refugees have access to healthcare, food, shelter, and water and sanitation,” he said while addressing a programme hosted by Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).
DRU President Nazrul Islam Mithu and General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib also spoke at the event.
The High Commissioner said they have seen generosity in the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines for refugees.
Also read: World now looks at Bangladesh with admiration, says Dickson
He, however, said despite progress, the situation remains challenging both for the Rohingyas, especially for women, and for their hosts in Bangladesh.
“We’re leading donor to the international response to the Rohingya refugee crisis having contributed over £320m since 2017 to support both refugees in the camps and host communities including in building resilience against COVID-19,” said the High Commissioner.
Describing the Rohingya crisis as a “tragedy for all involved,” the British High Commissioner said no one chooses to live in a refugee camp or to host a large influx of displaced people.
“As with so many other refugees worldwide, the great majority of the Rohingya population say they want to return home,” said the British envoy, adding that they are ensuring the Rohingyas and Bangladesh are not forgotten.
High Commissioner Dickson said they raise the plight of the Rohingya on the international stage, including in the UN Security Council. “As a new Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, we support the efforts of the ASEAN Special Envoy.”
Also read:Bangladesh seeks investment from expatriate business community in UAE
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char Island.
718 more Rohingyas leave for Bhasan Char
As many as 718 Rohingya refugees left Ukhia camps in Cox’s Bazar on Sunday in the 10th phase of relocation on Bhasan Char island in Noakhali.
The Rohingya men, women and children left for Chattogram on 13 buses from the Ukhia Degree College field at 1 am.
Shamsuddauja, additional refugee relief and repatriation commissioner in Cox's Bazar said, these Rohingya refugees are being relocated on the 10th phase and process is on to send more who agreed to go to Bhasan Char.
The 718 Rohingyas will reach Bhasan Char by Monday noon, he said.
Also read: Rohingya woman dies while fleeing Bhasan Char
Jahirul Islam,Camp-Incharge in Bhasan Char said exact number of refugees to be located on the tenth phase is yet to be known.
“We’ve made preparations to send them to their respective centres after reaching here,” he said.
In nine phases, over 20,000 Rohingyas have been shifted to Bhasan Char from December 2020.
Another batch of 306 Rohingya refugees were sent to Bhasan Char in May, 2020 after rescuing them from the sea while illegally migrating to Malaysia, according to officials.
Also read: 552 more Rohingyas reach Bhasan Char: Navy
Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Most of them came since August 25, 2017, when the Myanmar military launched a brutal offensive targeting the Muslim ethnic minorities.
Book on Caritas Bangladesh’s emergency response prog for Rohingyas launched
‘Giving Hope’, a book on four-year-long interventions under the Emergency Response Program (ERP) of Caritas Bangladesh (CB) has been launched in Cox’s Bazar.
Sebastian Rozario, CB Executive Director, unveiled the book on Sunday highlighting all activities for the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) and the host community in Cox’s Bazar from 2017 to 2021.
Read:Turkey to continue efforts to repatriate Rohingya: Enamur
Anita Margaret Rozaio, Head of Human Resources, CB; Marcel Ratan Guda, Project Director, ERP; Md Abdullah Fuad, Head of Program, ERP; Inmanuel Chayan Biswas, Head of Operation, ERP among others were present during the book launching ceremony at the auditorium of ERP office in Cox’s Bazar.
Caritas Bangladesh’s ED Sebastian Rozario said this book is not about the publicity of good works but a move to keep the deeds documented and let others know that good things can be done the way they do.
Bangladesh pushes for early repatriation of Rohingyas
Bangladesh has called for early, voluntary, safe and sustained repatriation of the Myanmar nationals temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has expressed its willingness to work together to further the relationship with Myanmar alongside ensuring early repatriation of the Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine state.
"As an immediate and friendly neighbour, the people of Bangladesh have been persistent in developing mutually beneficial relations with the people of Myanmar and will work together to further the relationship," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a message of felicitation on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Also read: Early repatriation of Rohingyas lead priority, FM tells UN expert
On the occasion, the people of Bangladesh expressed greetings and felicitations to the people of Myanmar and wished them peace and prosperity.
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar district and Bhasan Char Island.
Also read: MoFA trashes reports on learning centre closure in Rohingya camps