Rohingya refugees observe genocide day, seek global support for safe repatriation

Rohingya refugees have urged the global community to stand by them in their bid to return home with security, dignity, and rights to their citizenship. 

On the 8th anniversary of the Rohingya influx, on 25 August, refugees in Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya and Teknaf camps observed "Genocide Day" with rallies reiterating their demands.

The largest gathering took place at the playground of camp-4 extension in Ukhiya, where hundreds of Rohingya gathered with placards and posters, voicing a single appeal-safe and dignified repatriation to Myanmar with legal rights of citizenship.

Rohingya youth leader Mohammad Humayun said at the rally that their lives remain confined and uncertain. "After eight years, we are still trapped in another country with decreasing assistance and no hope for the future. Despite Bangladesh's efforts for our repatriation, atrocities in Rakhine state continue. Many are still risking their lives to flee across the border. Only through the active role of the UN and the international community can we return home with our rights", he added.

"Eight years ago today, we fled from the horrors of genocide in Rakhine state and sought shelter in Bangladesh," the participants voiced. 

Since then, they have been observing 25 August as Rohingya Genocide Day.

From the morning today, camps across Ukhiya and Teknaf held programmes to commemorate victims, with rallies spilling over into nearby hills.

Refugees lamented that not a single Rohingya has been repatriated over the past eight years, while the situation in Rakhine state has grown more complicated. 

Control of the region is now largely in the hands of the Arakan Army, and over the past year, around 150,000 more Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh. 

At the same time, international aid has continued to shrink, disrupting food, health, and education programmes and fueling anxiety inside the camps.

According to organisers, the day was observed in at least 7 major camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf, where leaders made similar calls for repatriation under international guarantees.

Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Md Mizanur Rahman said, "The main message from the Rohingya is that the trials ongoing at the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court must be concluded. They are also seeking the support of the global community for their return."