Rohinghas Re-enter Cox’s Bazar

Following the appointment of Dr. Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s Interim Government, hopes were raised for resolving the Rohingha issue. However, reports indicate that Rohinghas have once again crossed into Cox’s Bazar, taking shelter at the Ukhiya refugee camp. Official records do not list these recent arrivals. According to various sources, nearly 1.25 million Rohinghas have entered Cox’s Bazar to date.

Sources from the Teknaf Rohingha Camp report that at least 30 Rohinghas entered Cox’s Bazar last Monday.

• Approximately 800,000 Rohinghas arrived following the events of 25 August 2017.
• Over the past eight years, not a single Rohingha has been repatriated to Myanmar.
• New arrivals continue despite the prolonged period since the initial influx.

Locals report that hundreds of Rohinghas have crossed in recent days, travelling by raft over the Naaf River and taking shelter in Ukhiya. Although large numbers are gathered at the border, not all are able to enter Bangladesh in bulk. Recent entries appear to have occurred gradually via maritime routes facilitated by brokers.

Rohinghas in Bangladesh are primarily seeking a peaceful return to their homeland. They regularly appeal to the United Nations (‘Kulasamanya’ in the Rohingha language) to facilitate their repatriation.

Dil Mohammad, President of the Committee for Peace and Repatriation (CPR), emphasises: “Our organisation has nine key demands for the survival of the Rohinghas. Yet one is final—return to Arakan. There is no alternative but to end refugee life and go back. While internal disputes may occur among us, our overarching identity and goal remain united as ‘Rohinghas of Arakan.’”

He also expresses trust in Dr. Muhammad Yunus, citing past injustices under Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi era, and hopes that the Bangladeshi Nobel laureate, through the UN, can secure what Myanmar could not provide.

The Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) office in Cox’s Bazar reports 124,128 new Rohingha entrants in recent weeks. Various sources estimate the total number of new entrants at approximately 1.25 million. Many of the newest arrivals remain unregistered, according to local sources and community leaders.

Dil Mohammad noted to Kaler Kantho: “In the past year alone, around 150,000 Rohinghas have entered Cox’s Bazar. Entries continue gradually almost every day.”

The Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) has tightened surveillance along the border. Many members of Myanmar’s rebel Arakan Army have fled into Bangladesh. Recently, three individuals, including an armed member, were detained after crossing. Sources suggest that over 300 Arakan Army personnel have escaped camps in Arakan.

While border controls have reduced mass crossings, many Rohinghas continue to enter via clandestine routes, often rafting across the Naaf River at night into Ukhiya and Teknaf.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, is expected to visit Cox’s Bazar on 25 August. This will be his second visit in one year, both focused solely on the Rohingha issue. The visit has drawn attention across Cox’s Bazar, not just in the camps.

In preparation for an international conference on Rohinghas scheduled for 30 September, a crucial meeting will be held at the Inani Army Rest House, Cox’s Bazar.

• Over 150 participants are expected, including representatives from international organisations and Rohingha community groups.
• The Deputy Commissioner (Additional DC) of Cox’s Bazar, Imran Hossain Sajib, confirmed the meeting details and noted that the Foreign Ministry and RRRC are coordinating the event.
• During a previous visit in Ramadan, Dr. Yunus toured Rohingha camps, and his optimistic statements about repatriation provided reassurance to the refugees.

The upcoming meeting has already sparked intense discussions in the camps, as the community looks to Dr. Yunus and the international community for concrete solutions to the long-standing displacement crisis.

Summary Table: Recent Rohingha Influx into Cox’s Bazar

This renewed influx underscores the continuing humanitarian and security challenges in Cox’s Bazar, highlighting the urgency of coordinated repatriation efforts and international engagement.