Rohingya mark 5th 'Genocide Remembrance Day' in Bangladesh refugees camps

By Md. Kamruzzaman

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - The stateless Rohingya Muslims living in sprawling camps in Bangladesh’s southern border district of Cox’s Bazar on Thursday staged rallies to mark the fifth anniversary of “Genocide Remembrance Day.”

More than 1.2 million Rohingya, the majority of whom fled a brutal military crackdown in Myanmar on Aug. 25, 2017, have marked the day by staging rallies to raise awareness of their plight and remind the international community of pledges for their safe repatriation to Rakhine State.

Rohingya held rallies in 12 of the 34 camps to commemorate “Genocide Remembrance Day,” according to local sources told.

At the rallies, stateless people's community leaders urged world leaders to take all necessary steps at the earliest to ensure the peaceful and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya.

During the rallies, they presented seven demands to the international community, including justice for Rohingya genocide victims, restoration of citizenship rights, repeal of Myanmar's controversial 1982 Citizenship Law that has been used to deny Rohingya citizenship in their home country, repatriation, compensation for property destruction, and safety guarantee under UN supervision after repatriation.

- UN special envoy to increase support

UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Noeleen Heyzer has called on global leaders to increase support for Rohingya refugees and host communities, according to local media citing a statement issued by the UN office in Dhaka.

This week, Heyzer visited the Rohingya camps to assess the conditions of the persecuted people in the crammed camps.

“As the Secretary-General reiterated on this solemn occasion, following the military takeover in February 2021, the humanitarian, human rights and security situation in Myanmar have deteriorated. It is critical that the international community continue to seek comprehensive, durable and inclusive solutions to the crisis. We cannot let this become a forgotten crisis,” she said in the statement.

She added: “I will continue to advocate for greater leadership of countries in the region in supporting Bangladesh and leveraging their influence with Myanmar to create conducive conditions for the voluntary, safe and dignified return of refugees.”

The special envoy also emphasized that it is ultimately Myanmar's responsibility to create favorable conditions for their safe repatriation.

She emphasized the use of education and vocational training as tools to prepare Rohingya for their return to Myanmar.

- UK sanctions Myanmar firms

The UK High Commission in Dhaka in a statement also announced new sanctions against military-linked businesses in Myanmar.

Those sanctioned include Star Sapphire Group of Companies, International Gateways Group of Companies Limited (IGG), and Sky One Construction Company Ltd, the statement said.

“They are being sanctioned in an effort to limit the military’s access to arms and revenue,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Burma Human Rights Network stated in a separate press release that nearly 600,000 Rohingya remain trapped in Myanmar under discriminatory laws and policies that amount to crimes against humanity and ongoing genocide in the Rakhine state.

“The world must act decisively if they want to end the suffering of the Rohingya and the rest of Burma’s people,” said the rights watchdog’s Executive Director Kyaw Win.​​​​​​​