Dhaka: More than 15 lakhs Rohingyas who have taken refuge in Cox's Bazar are frustrated because they cannot return to their homeland in Myanmar. Terrorism and deprivation surround them. Moreover, this refugee and homeless population is struggling with a crisis of identity and citizenship. Meanwhile, some Rohingya refugees are coming to Bangladesh every day by water and land after being attacked by rebel armed groups in the Arakan or Rakhine state of Myanmar. In this situation, a new political dream has been seen centered on refugee life.
The refugee camps in Ukhia and Teknaf in Cox's Bazar are said to be the largest refugee camps in the world. After visiting the camp and adjacent areas for a few days in mid-October, no one saw a ray of hope in their eyes or faces. The locals are just as frustrated as the Rohingyas. No one knows when people will be able to return to their homeland. Many are thinking about a new course of action.
The young man Abdus Salam knows a little Bengali. Describing the inhumane conditions inside the camp, he said, "I am somehow surviving. The situation is deteriorating day by day. How long will I stay like this?"
Rohingya researcher Shafiullah believes, "As new crises arise in the world, the international focus is gradually shifting away from the Rohingya. As the Rohingya crisis continues and the international community's attention shifts elsewhere, financial support for the Rohingya has decreased and those concerned are facing financial difficulties to continue the programs they are running."
He said, "The number of health centers in the Rohingya camps has decreased from 160 to 120, and the current health centers have also been forced to significantly reduce their services due to the financial crisis. The amount allocated for the Rohingya has also decreased significantly."
Locals believe, "Due to poverty, deprivation and despair, the Rohingya are getting involved in criminal activities. Many of them are being forced to participate in drug, arms and human trafficking. Many are also being linked to terrorism. Alternative measures need to be taken to end this situation immediately."
These statements are largely true. Inter-group armed clashes often take place in the camps. On Monday (October 21) morning, 3 members of the same family were shot dead after entering a house in Ukhiya's Rohingya camp No. 17. Often, 15-20 unidentified miscreants raid the camp from the S-4 and B-7 block areas adjacent to Lal Pahar of the extended camp-20 under the Walapalong police camp. Local people are also scared and terrified because of this.
Although several Rohingya organizations are interested in repatriating the Rohingya, they have given some conditions. One of which is granting Myanmar citizenship to the Rohingyas and repatriating them safely to their respective homes. According to them, 'Why go to the place where we fled with our lives if we do not get security for our lives?'
Elderly Rohingya Shakur Mahmud said, 'We cannot knowingly return to the face of death unless we get security assurance through international assistance.'
Meanwhile, neither the Myanmar government nor the Arakan Army (AA), which occupies Arakan or Rakhine Province, recognizes the Rohingyas as citizens of Myanmar. According to them, the Rohingyas are outsiders. But the Rohingya claim that, 'Historically, they are residents of the Arakan region. They have a fighting contribution to the national history of Myanmar. But due to ethnic hatred, they have been forced to flee the country due to genocide and persecution. They have a birthright in Arakan. Their land, resources, businesses and ancestral graves exist there. They will not give up their claim to nationality and citizenship.'
During a discussion with some Rohingya leaders and local people to learn about the 'future of the Rohingya', their new political dream was revealed. They said, 'Out of extreme despair, the Rohingya are turning to terrorism. Severe deprivation is pushing them on a hard path. This situation must be stopped. The Rohingya community, who has taken refuge in various places around the world, including Bangladesh, must be united and international pressure and campaign must be started for their repatriation. World public opinion must be created against the Rohingya genocide. It will not be enough to just sit in shelter. We must fight systematically for our demands.'
Despite years of genocide and persecution, the Rohingya people, who have been homeless in refugee camps, are suffering from terror and deprivation, but the glimmer of new and positive political dreams among them is giving birth to a hopeful future.
Dr. Mahfuz Parvez: Associate Editor, Barta24.com; Professor and Chairman, Department of Political Science, University of Chattogram and Executive Director, Chattogram Centre for Regional Studies, Bangladesh (CCRSBD).