Bangladesh to maneuver extra Rohingya Muslims to distant island, regardless of outcry By Reuters

By Ruma Paul

DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladesh is transferring 3,000-4,000 extra Rohingya Muslim refugees to a distant Bay of Bengal island over the subsequent two days, two officers stated on Sunday, regardless of issues concerning the danger of storms and floods lashing the positioning.

Dhaka has relocated round 7,000 to Bhasan Char island since early December from border camps in neighbouring Buddhist-majority Myanmar, the place greater than 1,000,000 refugees dwell in ramshackle huts perched on razed hillsides.

The Rohingya refugees will likely be moved to Bhasan Char by ships on Monday and Tuesday, Navy Commodore Rashed Sattar stated from the island.

Bangladesh says the relocation is voluntary, however a few of a primary group to be moved spoke of being coerced.

The federal government has dismissed security issues over the island, citing the constructing of flood defences in addition to housing for 100,000 folks, hospitals and cyclone centres.

It additionally says overcrowding in refugee camps fuels crime.

As soon as they arrive on Bhasan Char, the Rohingya, a minority group who fled violence, will not be allowed to go away the island, which is a number of hours’ journey from the southern port of Chittagong.

Bangladesh has drawn criticism for a reluctance to seek the advice of with the United Nations refugee company and different help our bodies over the transfers.

The U.N. Excessive Commissioner for Refugees says the company has not been allowed to judge the security and sustainability of life on the island.

“The method of transferring the Rohingya will proceed… they’re going there fortunately for higher life,” Mohammad Shamsud Douza, the deputy Bangladesh authorities official answerable for refugees, stated by cellphone from Cox’s Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh.

“Our fundamental precedence is repatriating them to their homeland in a dignified and sustainable approach,” he stated.

Bangladesh has known as on Myanmar to maneuver ahead the stalled strategy of voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees, as worldwide stress mounts on the navy leaders following a coup, which reduces the refugees’ hopes of returning house.

“I do not see any future for us,” stated 42-year-old refugee, who selected to maneuver the island. “The little hope we had of going again to our homeland was damaged after the coup.”