Rohingyas call for speedy repatriation as crisis enters 7th year
The US has commended Bangladesh for continuing to host Rohingyas since the crisis began six years ago
The Rohingyas residing in several camps across the southern districts of the country have expressed their fervent wish to return to their homes in Myanmar.
Addressing rallies marking the seventh year of the crisis, they said they are citizens of Myanmar but fled to Bangladesh to escape genocide and ethnic cleansing.
"This is refugee life. We don't want such a life, we want to return to our homeland Myanmar as soon as possible," said a Rohingya leader.
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Gatherings and prayers were organised in 33 camps in Ukhiya under the banner of the Rohingya community from around 10am on Friday. Thousands of Rohingyas, including children and teenagers. took part in the rallies.
Kamal Hossain, spokesperson of the FDMN (Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals in Bangladesh) Representative Community, said, "We want to return to our country with our rights. We don't want refugee life anymore. We want to go to our country and spend the rest of our lives there because we are not citizens of Bangladesh, we are citizens of Myanmar."
"Myanmar is delaying repatriation. If we do not start repatriation quickly, we will return to our homeland Myanmar in groups just the way we came to Bangladesh," he said.
A board member of the FDMN Representative Community, Mohammad Musa said, "I left my home and took refuge in Bangladesh due to the genocide in my country Myanmar in 2017. It's been six years."
Chairman of Arakan Rohingya Peace for Human Rights Master Mohammad Jobair highlighted five points at the gathering.
These five points are: speedy repatriation of Rohingyas to their own country, recognition of ethnic identity, safe zone for Rohingyas in Myanmar, return of their homes and civil rights in Rakhine State.
He termed 25 August as genocide and black day.
US commends Bangladesh
Meanwhile, the US embassy in Dhaka in a statement on Friday said Bangladesh warmly welcomed nearly one million Rohingyas, displaying remarkable generosity and hospitality.
In response, the American people have contributed more than $2.1 billion, including over $1.7 billion in Bangladesh, to support Rohingya and the local communities that so generously host them, the statement said.
The statement emphasised the Rohingyas' right to return home safely and with dignity to rebuild their lives in peace.
The US also called upon the international community to continue providing humanitarian aid until the crisis ends.
Recognising the unsafe conditions preventing Rohingya from returning home, the US supports resettlement as a vital means of responsibility-sharing and addressing the Rohingyas' plight, the embassy said.
Antony Blinken, US secretary of state, in a press statement said, "The United States remains committed to advancing justice and accountability for all the people of Burma and will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Burma in their aspirations for a democratic, inclusive, and peaceful future."
Still no justice for Rohingya
Meanwhile, UN human rights chief Volker Turk reiterated the call for accountability and justice for the hundreds of thousands of displaced Rohingyas.
In a statement, Turk expressed his "most fervent wish" for the Rohingya to return home safely as recognized citizens of Myanmar with full human rights.
Also on Thursday, Tom Andrews, the Special Rapporteur on the situation in Myanmar, appealed to world leaders to end a "deadly paralysis of indifference" and take action to hold the architects and perpetrators of the violence against the Rohingya people to account.
The suffering of the Rohingya begins with the top leadership, Andrews said. Min Aung Hlaing, responsible for the genocidal campaign, now leads an illegal military junta attacking civilians across Myanmar.
"He [Min Aung] must be brought to justice and be made to answer for his crimes," he added.
