Halt Rohingya relocation to Bhasan Char, urge int’l rights bodies

Two international human rights organisations have equivocally called upon the Bangladesh government to halt its relocation activities of Rohingya refugees from Cox’s Bazar to Bhasan Char.

New York based international non-governmental organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) and London based Amnesty International (AI) simultaneously made the call and cleared individual stance by giving statements on their respective websites on Thursday.

The United Nations yesterday cleared its longstanding position over the relocation and said Rohingyas must be able to make a free and informed decision on relocation to Bhasan Char based upon relevant, accurate and updated information.

Amid the uproar from different quarters, the government this morning started the relocation process of Rohingyas to Bhasan Char from Cox’s Bazar ensuring adequate security measures.

HRW in its statement said Bangladesh authority has prepared a list of Rohingyas to be shifted to Bhasan Char from Cox’s Bazar and the process is going to kick off on December 3.

“The relocation process of Rohingya refugees should be halted immediately. Bangladesh government should be committed over a transparent relocation process,” the HRW said in its statement.

The relocation will have to be based on the knowledge of Rohingyas and rights to move in and outside of the Bhasan Char will have to be ensured, the HRW said.

“The Bangladesh government is actively reneging on its promise to the UN not to relocate any refugees to Bhasan Char until humanitarian experts give a green light,” said Brad Adams, Asia director.

“If the government were genuinely confident in the habitability of the island, they would be transparent and not hastily circumvent UN technical assessments,” he added.

Besides, in response to the relocation of Rohingya refugees, Amnesty International’s South Asia Campaigner, Saad Hammadi, said the authorities should immediately halt the relocation of more refugees to Bhasan Char, return those on the island to their families and community in mainland Bangladesh, and follow due process including the full and meaningful participation of refugees in any plan for their relocation.

He said, “The relocation of so many Rohingya refugees to a remote island, which is still off limits to everyone including rights groups and journalists without prior permission, poses grave concerns about independent human rights monitoring.”

“It is crucial that the Bangladeshi authorities must let the UN, rights groups and humanitarian agencies carry out independent assessments of Bhasan Char’s habitability first before taking any steps to relocate people there. No relocation plan, either to Bhasan Char or to another location, can be undertaken without the full and informed consent of the individuals involved.

Some refugees already on the island have shared their anxiety with Amnesty International at being cut off from their families and community.”

“Bangladesh and other members of the international community have a critical role not only in protecting the rights of the Rohingya people but also in ensuring their full and meaningful participation in decisions that affect them,” he added.

In the face of ethnic cleansing in Rakhine state of Myanmar, around 11.50 lakh Rohingyas took shelter at refugee camps in Teknaf and Ukhiya of Cox’s Bazar.