Rohingyas for stronger US role in repatriation

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Rohingyas have urged a stronger US role for their safe and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar when Uzra Zeya, under secretary for civilian security, democracy and human rights, visited the camps in Cox’s Bazar yesterday.

They expressed gratitude to the Bangladesh government and the people for sheltering more than a million Rohingyas who fled a brutal military campaign in the Rakhine State of Myanmar six years back, but said they were now leading a miserable life in camps.

Despite repeated efforts, repatriation has not been possible yet, with the Rohingyas saying the situation in Rakhine was not safe and they had no guarantee of citizenship.

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Myanmar faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice, while the US determined atrocities against Rohingyas as genocide.

The delegation, which flew to Cox’s Bazar yesterday morning, reached the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya around 10:50am.

The delegation members, who also include Donald Lu, assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, visited a Rohingya registration centre, a food distribution centre and then held meetings with Rohingya men and women at a community centre for an hour.

“The Rohingyas expressed their desire to return to Myanmar as soon as possible, describing the camp life as like life in prison,” said Md Yusuf, a Rohingya leader.