Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees rallied Tuesday in camps in Bangladesh, calling for their safe return to Myanmar, nine years after fleeing a government crackdown. The demonstrators marked what they refer to as the “Ninth Anniversary of Rohingya Genocide Day” and appealed to the international community to guarantee security in Rakhine state.
More than 1 million refugees from Myanmar’s Rohingya ethnic minority now reside in sprawling camps near Cox’s Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh. The majority fled Myanmar in a mass exodus in 2017 following a crackdown by the Buddhist-majority government in Rakhine state, which was triggered by an attack from a Rohingya Muslim insurgent group.
Previous attempts by the Bangladesh government to repatriate refugees have been unsuccessful, as none were willing to return due to security concerns. Bangladesh has stated it will not force any refugees to return.
In a joint statement released Tuesday, the diplomatic missions of 15 countries and the European Union in Bangladesh called for continued international support for the refugees. These missions, including those from Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, acknowledged Bangladesh and its people for providing refuge for nearly a decade.
The diplomatic missions expressed concern regarding the escalating conflict in Rakhine state, noting that increased humanitarian needs, airstrikes on civilian areas, and restrictions on aid and trade are exacerbating the crisis and leading to further displacement into Bangladesh and across the region. They concluded that current conditions in Rakhine do not permit a repatriation process that is voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable.
"Rohingya refugees have a right to return to their homes in Myanmar," the joint statement read. "Regrettably, conflict is escalating across Rakhine and humanitarian need is rising."
Earlier this year, the International Court of Justice held hearings concerning accusations of genocide against the Rohingya in Rakhine state in 2017. The court reviewed evidence, expert testimony, and witness statements related to mass killings, sexual violence, and village destruction. Myanmar’s government has maintained that its military actions were a legitimate counter-terrorism operation and not genocidal.
Following the 2017 crackdown, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims crossed into Bangladesh amid violence. The influx added to over 300,000 refugees who had already been living in Bangladesh for decades after previous violence.
The security situation in Rakhine state has become increasingly volatile in recent years. A Rohingya refugee leader, Sayed Ullah, stated that the ongoing conflict between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military makes the region unsafe and questioned the expectation for refugees to remain in Bangladesh for an extended period. He emphasized the need to create an environment conducive to peace in Rakhine.
In a recent development this month, Myanmar’s military-backed government announced that over 300,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are former residents of Rakhine state and that it would accept their return once security conditions improve. However, Bangladesh has disputed Myanmar's figures and its refusal to use the term "Rohingya," viewing the use of "Bengali" as an attempt to deny their identity.