Latest Highlight

RB Channel



By Liz Mys and Andrew Day
RB Article
March 22, 2017

Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh 

“In some camps there are latrines in front of their dwellings upon the mazes of long bamboo sheds. They are choked with the blackest rancid bubbly mixture of everything nasty that you can possibly imagine from excrement to dead animals. Mosquitoes hovering over their putrid breeding ground just inches from where thousands of people are laying on the mud floors of their huts. In the midst of the hot season, the gunk in the latrines thicken into a bog like mixture.- Andrew Day 

Unlike the Kutapalong Registered camp where the main source of water is ground water, with tube wells (one functioning tube well to 107 families on average), Nayapara camp, which is in Teknaf sub district beside the river Naf and groundwater is not available due to hydrological constrains. 

In order to provide water in the Nayapara camp, an artificial reservoir was constructed within the boundary of the camp. Drinking water is supplied through a pipe line network and during the dry season, water is trucked in to the camp. 

Nayapara. Photos by Andrew Day 

The operating time of the water taps is 2 hours per day, though it is of one cause of discrepancy. The families report that they only manage to collect 3 to 4 containers per family per day, 6 to 8 liters. For an average family of 6 or more this ration is hardly enough and well below the 15 to 20 liters recommended.

Shamlapur
Leda Unregistered Camp
Nayapara Registered Camp 


The water they are getting to drink and to cook with, depending on where you are will come from a dirty ravine, shallow tune wells or pumped from reservoirs. The quality of water is terrible. Most of the water sources begin to dry up at the end of the hot season, before the rain comes, making supply scarce.

Men can bathe with a bucket standing by a tube well, or some will go to the murky brown water that has collected in an ablution pond at some of the larger mosques. The women can’t do so as easily without harassment. 

In these densely populated areas, many women can only hope for a small water pail to wash themselves inside their huts.

The rain will finally come during the monsoon season. The heavy downpours will cause the latrines to flood over and the hellish contents therein flows into their sleeping quarters and saturates all their possessions. Their clothes, their cooking pot, whatever that has not been taken away by the current of flood water, which when it gets so bad could rise up to chest high of this bacteria laden runoff.” – Andrew Day

In between the refugee camps, local thugs rule the areas and harass the Refugees living there. This Refugee woman from Leda Camp showing us the crushed water jugs – a harassment against the refugees preventing them from collecting water from the stream.

“It is dangerous in the forest where we go to collect wood or dry leaves, there are robbers, or villagers or forest ranger demand money from us. They sometimes take our tools or beat is until we pay. But we don’t have money to pay”. – Refugee, Leda Camp. 

Many have told stories of beatings from thugs and police for something as basic as collecting water from a nearby stream. Women folk tells of how they are stopped, verbally abused and raped if they are intercepted by these men. These incidents doesn’t get reported to the authorities as their statuses of being unregistered deem them illegal and unprotected by any laws.



The access to clean and safe water everywhere is a problem. Very few water sources are ever tested but with the shallow wells and reservoirs so overlapped with sewage, it is inevitable that eating and drinking will make them sick.

These unnecessary circumstances are breeding grounds for infections and typhoid is a reoccurring condition or rather a perpetual one, to the point where fevers and vomiting are not to be taken as cause for alarm because they are so common. A common combination is typhoid with anemia and most likely a bacterial skin disease. 



Skin diseases are common and spreads easily in the communities due to the unhygienic living conditions, poor sanitation and polluted water. Photo by Andrew Day
Living is impossible when people are eating and drinking traces of faeces daily. That’s if they have anything to eat at all. 

Many unregistered Rohingya live in unofficial refugee settlements, where malnutrition rampant. In one makeshift camp, the global acute malnutrition rate is at 30%, double of emergency threshold. 

But despite of this, the government has denied permits for aid agencies to assist unregistered refugees, stating that medical, food, drinking water and training facilities run by the charities were encouraging an influx of Rohingya to the country.

Borrowing, lending, trading, selling and buying food are common coping mechanisms among the refugees to compensate for the food deficit. Those who are registered also share their food rations with those who are not. There have also been reported incidences of forced sale of food rations to local villagers which have been instigated and aided by camp personnel, the Mahjees and local thugs.

“I have to borrow sometimes up to five kilograms of food a week to feed my family.” Nayapara refugee, family of 14.

The dry season and monsoon season each year poses a huge risk to the people living in these areas. 
Much help is needed in building safe access to clean water and to build lavatories for the communities.  


According to UNHCR the recent influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, saw 70,000 people cross over to Bangladesh since October 2016. From the 1990s, the country has had a huge number of refugees who fled the persecution and violence against them. The number of refugees in Bangladesh is reported to be almost 1 Million in total, only 10% refugees able to receive aid in the UN registered camps. 

Adding to the already huge number of refugee in the country, these families are currently living in makeshift tents around the border areas. Some 2000 families are reported to be hiding in the forests. 





With the monsoon season expected in 2 months time and almost right in the middle of the month of Ramadan, these families will have to face an event more dire situation on top of lack of food and medical care. 

• UNHCR seeks equal treatment for all Rohingya in Bangladesh




By The Editor
RB Opinion
August 4, 2016

When asked to seek the truth behind the current arrests concerning an alleged meeting between a Saudi National, a Bangladeshi MP and the "RSO leader", my immediate thought was; the truth is hard to come by. My next thought was of the possible implications that renewed talks of RSO activity can have on Myanmar's troubled Rakhine (Arakan) state. 

Let's just touch on the RSO for a minute. The RSO stands for the Rohingya Solidarity Organization and is a group regarded as a terrorist organisation on both sides of the Bangladesh/Myanmar border. In 1982 the RSO was said to have emerged as a sort of military wing from local groups fighting for Rohingya citizenship. The reality is, other than some old allegations of attacks against Myanmar defence posts, group at the height of its activity was not that serious of threat of terrorism. After the early 2000's, Myanmar political parties began exchanging information with the USA as there were rumours of the RSO being in contact with Al-Qaeda. At which time operations went into action and the scattered militants were largely believed to have been disarmed/arrested in Rakhine state and there hasn't been any real evidence of militant training or arms caches in the name of the RSO in Myanmar since then. So, why should the RSO name be popping up now? Probably because it's convenient for governments on both sides of the border. Here's some things that you should consider: 

In Myanmar, one of the most effective arsenals of anti-Muslim hate groups such as the notorious 969 have been stoking fears of terrorism and Islamic militants in Rakhine state for many years. After the Rohingya lost their citizenship, local fears of the RSO as a militant group was no doubt part of the justification of what started the crackdown on the Rohingya's right of movement. This of course eventually escalated to the massive Rohingya IDP crisis currently in Rakhine state. The RSO still a sensitive subject in Rakhine state, so much that the Rohingya community shuddered at the recent news coming out of Cox's Bazar. 

In Bangladesh, the country is seeing an unprecedented amount of attacks being claimed by militant groups over the past year. The ruling Government has come under international pressure to address what is being portrayed in the media as a rise of Islamic terrorism in the country. Bangladesh is has a population of around 160 million people and over 80% of them Muslim and led by a secular government. The Political situation is not good here and deteriorating. The Awami League, are notorious for calling for the arrest of BNP opposition members and leaders. They have recently been executing leaders of the main Islamic Political Party the Jamaat - e - Islami (conviction of war crimes during the War against Pakistan that claimed Bangladesh’s independence. The JI fought against independence with Pakistan at the time.) The government ever fearful of renewed ideas of Islamic party coalitions seek to discredit Islamic political parties as terrorist threats. Keep in mind, both the JI and BNP have proven more sympathetic to the Rohingya refugee crisis in Cox’s Bazar. During Ramadan, Bangladesh government arrested well over 11’000 people in the name of investigating terrorism and targeted many members of Islamic Political Parties. 

Not long before all of this talk of terrorism, the main issue at the Myanmar/Bangladesh border wasn’t militants or even for refugee hopefuls attempting to gain entry into Bangladesh. The issue has been Drugs. Specifically, the trafficking of Yaba (methamphetamine) tablets from Myanmar into Bangladesh. Once in the country, drug dealers enlist from an unlimited supply of vulnerable undocumented Rohingya girls to sell the product in Cox’s Bazar. Arrested refugee females filling the local prisons and no laws written to protect them in the country.

The local and international NGO community have also been targeted in the long list of government led arrests. Several foreign nationals have been arrested on separate occasions in the weeks leading up to this alleged RSO related arrest. All parties and their local helpers were arrested in an attempt to distribute money or aid to unregistered Rohingya refugees in the Teknaf area. Over 200’000 undocumented Rohingya live in this area alone and as they are undocumented they cannot be registered for aid. Small foreign NGO’s who cannot acquire permission often attempt to bring some aid to these people, but as of late, any foreign NGO workers outside of those invited by Bangladesh’s Government controlled UNHCR are arrested while visiting the target areas.

So, what seems to have happened in Cox’s Bazar these Teknaf and alleged border arrests seemed to be a perfectly timed opportunity. An MP, notorious for being involved in the Yaba drug trade in the same general area as a foreign national visits a makeshift refugee area near Myanmar’s border with a man dubbed as a terrorist because of ties with an Islamic political party with the intention of distributing unapproved aid. The MP says he was in Inani (that’s a good hour’s drive from Teknaf, when he said he heard of the arrest) when decided to visit to inquire about the situation. Meanwhile, the BGB are reporting of arrests at the border and that they are investigating the connection between the three incidences as a possible meeting or operation for terrorism. 

The product of this is that the Bangladesh government gets a few more opposition members and a (rumoured to be corrupt, but most likely peaceful local people) attempting to help a foreign national offer some relief to some poor people. Any connection between the MP and the arrested men at the border is most likely drug deal related. That’s if the arrest there actually happened. Local news between border guards on both sides of the border shows sharp contrast. Frequent announcements on the Bangladesh side of repatriating small pockets of refugees, in an effort to taunt the Registered Refugee community at pick at the wounds of the history of forced repatriation by the hands of the BNP who were the ruling government at the time. The next week the Myanmar side will reply to the allegation and deny the occurrence taking place. We may never get full details or concrete proof this border arrest indeed happened.

Having a man listed to be RSO in these arrests further strengthens the government’s argument for their harsh stance against unapproved aid serving the Rohingya community while at the same time sparks rumours in Myanmar and generating a fear that often leads to tense situations in Rakhine resulting in further Mobility crackdown on the Rohingya. It leaves the Rohingya on both sides of the border vulnerable to random searches from authorities in the name of investigating terrorism. These searches, like most things in these affected areas are corrupt. It gives the lower level police an additional means to extort the Rohingya for money.

That’s pretty much my take on it. I can’t offer you the truth about the men involved. As I said, at this point the truth is hard to come by. Will hope that more information surfaces through investigation of the foreign national. The main thing is not to panic and the RSO are most likley not a threat to anyone, other than the problems that a story about their existence can create for the Rohingya of Arakan.

Written by RB Editor based in Bangladesh.

Rohingya Muslims in an unregistered refugee camp in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. (Photo: Reuters)

Andrew Day
RB News 
March 4, 2014

Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh - If one were to look, they would find consistent cases of arbitrary arrests against Rohingya refugees in either of the two state run UNCHR refugee camps in Bangladesh. The two makeshift camps named Kutupalong and Nayapara have a combined registered refugee population of about 29000. The following cases of arrests, all a means for extortion by local authorities have taken place in Nayapara refugee camp between February 20-28, 2014. 

Starting with this letter written to Rohingya Blogger of an arrest of a paralysis patient who is still held by police. The information in the letter has since been confirmed by RB News (with the exeption of the SI written about was learned to be an Assistant Sub Inspector named Zakir):

"A refugee identified as Sha Alam 55 s/o Suluma MRC#16013, Block-E, Shed#942, Room#4 Nayapara refugee camp has been arbitrarily arrested by police of Teknaf police station on 28.02.2014 at about 2.00 am. A group of police led by SI (Sub-Inspector) Hanif, Mohammad Shah Alam and Kamrul, entered the camp without the knowledge of Camp in Charge, who is the overall authority of the camp and went to refugee Sha Alam’s house and called him out of his room. After getting him out, police took him to Teknaf police station. The police arrested him to blackmail money alleging him in false case. When the information was reached to various concerned authority of UNHCR and the government, the police could not release him in exchange of money. They sent him to the Cox’s Bazar prison fabricating a false case against him as a human trafficker. The main purpose of the police was to realize toll from him alleging in a false case. But, as the guardians of the victim were unable to pay the huge amount of money demanded by the police, the guardians informed the matter to the concerned authority of UNHCR and the Camp in Charge to get assistance in his release. Then the Head of Sub-Office, UNHCR contacted to the Officer in charge of police and requested him to release the innocent arrestee. Denying his request, the OC of police has sent him to the Cox’s Bazar jail.

The refugee is a paralysis patient. He does not know what is human trafficking.

Besides this, police have arrested many refugees and released them in exchange of money. But they can not inform any concerned authority of the UNHCR and the Camp authority fearing repercussion. On the other hand, the police frequently enter the camp without the knowledge of Camp in Charge at deep night and arrest the innocent refugees from the camp and blackmail huge amounts of money alleging false cases. After taking bribes the arrestees are released. 

Refugees have to pawn ration books and gold ornaments and must borrow money from neighbors to meet the demand of police for recovering the arrestee. Now the innocent refugees are unable to stay in their room for fear of police arrest, like in Burma. Suddenly, they will enter the camp and detain innocent refugees and say, “You are human traffickers or robber”. Then the victims are compelled to give money anyway for release. Fearing they will have to bear torture of police. So if this harassment and persecution is going on against innocent refugees, how can we live here? The police have laid the trap for refugees to realize money. For the distressed and innocent refugees of Nayapara camp, we like to urge the international communities through the Rohingya Blogger to provide us protection from police harassment and oppression."

Sha Alam is still held in jail now. His opportunity to be released by bribery has passed as it was reported to concerned authorities. In other cases of arrests in this time period, they or their families managed to raise the funds needed and quietly pay the guards off in order to avoid imprisonment and torture. 

  • Sirajul Haque Father name Sharif Hossain MRC 16886 Block E/859/7 The police called him to open the door. He was harassed and was forced to pay 50000bdt
  • Mohammed Hossain Father's name Shobbir Ahmed MRC 15899 C/859/1 Forced to pay 90000bdt
  • Abdul Monaf Father name Abdul Salam MRC Z-3096 E/914/5 Forced to pay 15000bdt
  • Khairul Amin Father's name Abdul Amin MRC Z-3179 C 885/2 He was out from his home at about 11:20 AM to use a nearby toilet. He was harassed and forced to pay 5000bdt

Arbitrary arrests of the persecuted Rohingya ethnic minority in Bangladesh is a regular part of life for those who have fled from Arakan state, many of which having fled in the early 1990's. This quotation from Physicians for Human Rights in 2010 shows a mirror image of these current atrocities committed by police forces.

"Refugees report beatings, racial epithets, humiliation, and extortion once detained. With no resources, families are compelled to borrow money to pay bail or explicit bribes to Bangladeshi authorities to have their detained family members released."

This is the treatment of registered refugees in the cox's bazaar district. They live in densely populated quarters around open streams of sewerage. No laws have been written to protect them. They have no one to turn to when being wrongfully persecuted and accused by local citizens or police. 

In addition to this, there are over 200'000 Rohingya people who live in ghettos outside Kutupalong and Nayapara. They are not officially recognized as refugees. The Government of Bangladesh is state party to certain international human rights treaties that obligates them not to deport or expel any person from its territory when that person’s right to life or right to be free from torture is at risk. No part of the treaties though requires that the government has to look after them at all for food, medicine or protection. These people are quite literally starving and dying from disease. The only words from FM Dipu Moni was of the population crisis that faces Bangladesh. Recommending that the stateless Rohingya agree to voluntary refoulement. This seeming to be the loophole that the government will rely on to push back those who fled from Myanmar.




February 10, 2014

The guest on Truth Frequency Radio is Andrew Day, an activist championing the plight of the Rohingya peoples of Burma, who are suffering genocidal policies, including straight up massacres and ethnic cleansing, by Burmese authorities. Day describes the tension between Buddhists and Muslims in Burma, such that the tiniest, most insignificant triggers like brushing in the street have sparked backlashes. Village purges and driving the Rohingya into the sea with spears are common events for these Burmese peoples. This heart-breaking story is mostly ignored by the MSM. Please help us break the silence barrier by listening to Andrew Day’s interview on The Covert Report. It will shock you.



I tweeted this poem last night from bed, as I lay there waiting for news from my Rohingya friends who I knew had been awake all night, wondering if their homes were to be raided following an order to arrest all Rohingya men and boys over the age of ten.

We feared that the men would be taken away to be killed, and that the women left would be raped and their children hacked to pieces, as they had done so previously the week before at the village of Duchiradan (also known as Du Char Yar Tan as well as Kiladong). Indeed all the warning signs were there for an imminent massacre following a period of propaganda, visits by the infamous 969 group to the area, a call for militias who were understood to now be in training, and an official meeting where Rohingya village leaders had been warned of their fragile existence.

Long Night
Rohingya no more
Rwanda once more
Never again
Over and over again
Sit and contemplate
Can we change fate?
The advice we received
During this hour of need:
Avoid the word genocide
When you plead
That would oblige them to act
They don’t like that
A long night
Of extreme fright
All you can do is pray
They said
My children in bed
May all soon be dead
Take my tears
My fears
Save us
We have nothing left
Heart aches
Heaven shakes
Morning breaks
World wakes

Andrew Day
RB News 
December 31, 2013 

Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh - On Monday, December 30, 2013, five year old Sayedul Islam left with his grandmother from Nayapara refugee camp for a visit to Gojobil villaige in Maungdaw Township of Arakan (Rakhine) state of Myanmar. They had planned a one week visit there, to stay with family. They planned to cross secretly over that night by soliciting a boatman. 

The boat that the young boy and his grandmother, Tahera Begum left on had a total of 15 people aboard for the night crossing. The boat sank in the middle of Naf River just after 7pm. 

Three dead bodies were pulled from the water near the Bangladesh frontier. They were taken by police for autopsy. 

6 people were found alive near Myanmar by fishermen. Among them, Tahera Begum. She has not gained consciousness since being taken from the water. 

6 people are still missing. Five year old Sayedul is among those not recovered. 

Sayedul Islam, son of Shah Alam who died in road accident four years ago. He was born in Nayapara refugee camp. RB News visited his mother, Minara Begum, whom he lives with. She explained that her son had not yet been given an identification card from the Bangladesh UNCHR office. With her and her 2 daughters and 2 sons crying, she searched through a box in her hut to show his picture. She couldn't find it. Not one image of her young son, lost at sea. Just memories. 

Amongst the sorrow of a family, ever more eroded by loss and hardship RB News asked one last question to Minara Begum. What is your sons favourite colour? 

Blue. His favourite colour was blue.

Rohingya people on a boat cross the river Naf, from Burma into Bangladesh, in Teknaf 11 June 2012. (Reuters)
Andrew Day
RB News 
November 5, 2013

Sittwe, Arakan - 20 Muslims were transported out of the Sittwe General Hospital by Hlun Htein (police) as a Rakhinese mob, armed with sticks, poles and swords threatened to kill all Muslim patients sent there by INGO's. They warned the doctors not to treat them. Doctors discharged the patients, stating that they could not be held responsible for their safety. 

Police took the 10 patients and their caregivers from the hospital and made a brief stop in Aung Mingalar before taking them to their final destination, the Man Si (Bawdupha) camps. These camps are used for Rohingyas who become displaced due to violence. There will be no medical treatment for them there. 

Local villagers in Aung Mingalar gave them some food and water. They took a list of names of the people. Those who were able, took photos and hunched over their overheating cell phones, sending emails and social media messages, trying to get the word out of the injustice. This act is a punishable offence for Rohingyas. 

The villagers interviewed them. The displaced patients said that despite being taken to the hospital by UN members, they had been in the hospital for many days without treatment and little food. One said that they received two cups of tea and two pieces of cake per day. One said that they had been without any food for four days. Women who had gone to the hospital for deliveries gave birth to still born babies. At least one other is pregnant now and need serious medical attention. Some are suffering from disease. When asked about the women who had had their babies die,one villager told RB News "It's most of the time happened in the (Sittwe General) Hospital as they don't want any Muslims to be born and delivered."

The list of the people sent away from the hospital has been circulated and is as follows:

1. Mamad Rofique, (Father) Mamad Isaac, (37yrs) (M), Set Yune Su quarter, (Patients).
2. Armina, (Father) Adu Zaw Baw, (40yrs) (F), Set Yune Su quarter, (Care taker).
3. Ha Si Na, (Father) Mamad (35yrs) (F), Thet Kay Pyin village, (Patients).
4. Sara, (Father) Islam (25yr) (F), Thet Kay Pyin village, (Care Taker).
5. Janura, (Father) Eisuf Zalal (21yr) (F), Dabaing village, (Patients).
6. Hazara Khatu, (Father) Abul Kaseim (30yr) (F), Dabaing village, (Care taker).
7. Foreda Khatu, (Father) Adunawbi (23yr), (F), Thay Chuang La Ta Ma village, (Patients).
8. Dildar Begum, (Father) Mawgul Ahmed (35yr) (F), Thay Chuang La Ta Ma village, (Care taker).
9. Say Man Khatu, (Father) Eumor Ali (60yr) (F), Thay Chuang village, (Patients).
10. Rayheyna, (Father) Nawziramad (19yr) (F), Thay Chuang village, (Care taker).
11. Sarjida Begum, (Father) Eiman Huson (20yr) (F), Thay Chuang village, (Patients)
12. Maw Ram Khatu, (Father) Mamad Yasein (48yr) (F), Thay Chuang village, (Care taker).
13. Noor Begum, (Father) Noor Huson (19yr) (F), Thet Kay Pyin village, (Patients).
14. Noor Arsha, (Father) Adu Raman (40yr) (F), Thet Kay Pyin village, (Care taker).
15. Mamad Nuru, (Father) AduShukur (9yr) (M), Thet Kay Pyin village, (Patients).
16. Arbayda, (Father) Mamad Shafi (35yr) (F), Thet Kay Pyin village.(Care taker).
17. Montas Begum, (Father) Sweyad Alom (30yr) (F), Minbya Township. (Patients).
18. Begum, (Father) Sweyad Alom (25yr) (F), Minbya Township,(Care taker).
19. Mamad Junite, (Father) Eumar Mya (3mnth) (M), U Yanta village, (Patients). 
20. Noor Begum, (Father) Aduraman (30yr) (M), U Yanta village, (Care taker).

Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine (Arakan) state are not permitted to visit local hospitals. Sittwe General Hospital has a ward designated for Muslims. Due to to travel restrictions placed on Rohingyas, it becomes the responsibility of NGO's and INGO's to arrange safe passage for those in serious need of medical attention. 

The mob was supposedly angry with organizations who they had thought were being biased against them. This, in reaction to the ICRC (Red Cross) transporting Rohingya victims of violence while cutting firewood. ICRC transferred the injured to the hospital in Rakhine state's capital. Later, in a separate case of violence with that saw a 6 women attacked and Rakhine girl killed. The mobs accuse the ICRC failing to transport the girl for treatment as they did with the Muslims. The accusation of bias is fairly dismissible as most of the field workers are Burmese and Rakhinese. Despite this, on the evening of the violence, an angry mob march toward the ICRC office with the ambition to set fire to the building. They were dispersed by police. 

Reactions could be found in many villages. Reportedly, Chairman of North Rupa Quarter in Sittwe, announced that no one is to to rent buildings to any NGO's. Many Rakhines are calling for the removal of the organizations from the area. 

There were reports of police beating and threatening Muslims. Pressuring someone to take the blame for the killing of the Rakhine girl. One man, 27 year old Nur Kabir, decided that although innocent, would turn himself in to police the save the villages from the violence. 

Fear of Muslims is being propagated all along Rakhine (Arakan) state by government with the help of anti Muslim groups. If there is violence against a Buddhist, mobs demand a Muslim takes the fall for it. When groups try to help Rohingyas specifically because of the overwhelming need, it becomes opportunity for these groups to teach the mindset that the organizations only care for Muslims, therefore should not be trusted.








By Andrew Day
RB News
October 21, 2013

Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh - According to refugees within Nayapara refugee camp, as many as 15 people were beaten by police on the evening of October 19, 2013. One sub-Inspector and two Police Constables entered the camp responding to reports of a quarrel. 

Local refugees say that the quarrel started when four local Bengali boys entered the camp at about 7:30pm. The group allegedly attempted to take a Rohingya refugee boy, accusing that he owed them money. Although locals said that the accusations were false and that the boys were merely robbers. 

The police entered the camp at about 8:15pm and "became excited." They headed toward the community centre where the altercation was said to have taken place. They beat any refugees that got within the range of their cane sticks. 

By the time the police reached the community centre the youths had already dispersed. The police approached 45 year old Sayed Ahmed from Block D, Shed #718. He attempted to explain that he was on his way to bring his 8 year old daughter a bowl of rice. She is staying at a small IDP hospital within the camp. This hospital is operated by Ministry of Health (MOH) a Bangladesh based organization. According to locals, the hospital does not give proper care and people die there daily. 

Not hearing or caring about what Ahmed had to say, the police began to beat him with their cane sticks. Once down, they kicked him with their boots. Badly injuring his toe and cutting open his knee. They kicked the backside of his body as he laid on the ground. 

Beatings from police is a regular occurrence for Rohingya refugees. Stories like this have been told since the Bangladesh government controlled camps opened in the early 1990's. Nayapara and Kutupalong camps hold over 30000 Rohingya refugees who fled from Myanmar. To many of the inhabitants it is the only home they ever known. They were born there. Many speak Bengali, not Burmese. A generation of people growing up being treated as nothing by the country that they were born in. Accustomed to senseless beatings by police and terrible living conditions just because of their ethnicity and origin. Common too are local Bengalis taking advantage to abuse and exploit Rohingyas. Knowing that laws are not built to protect refugees. There is nowhere for them to turn to when these abuses happen. All avenues including the UNCHR will have ears that fall back to the Bangladesh government who will certainly not take action against their own officials. 

These living conditions are still considerably better than those of the over 200000 unregistered Rohingya refugees living in the woods and makeshift ghettos just outside Kutupalong camp. Absolute squaller, hunger and disease is life for them.

Rahim Ullah

By Andrew Day 
RB News 
October 6, 2013 

Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh - A young registered Rohingya Refugee was killed by villagers on October 2nd 2013. 

His Name was Rahim Ullah, the son of Hakim Ali. He lived in Kutupalong Refugee Camp Ukhiya. Shed 30, block C. His MRC No #19530. 

Ullah had been working as a security guard for a fisheries service in Fultala Satkaria in Chittagong for months without getting paid. Needing money to get his mother released from prison, he asked the fisheries master for payment. 

Angered by his request, the fisheries master and his Bengali servants began to beat him. After Ullah laid motionless on the ground, the group left him there to die. 

Some Bengali locals alerted the authorities. Rahim Ullah died before the police reached him. He was 22. 

His body was taken to a hospital morgue in Chittagong for autopsy. A day later his remains were returned to the kutupalong refugee camp with the assistance of the UNCHR and camp authority. His funeral was held October 3rd. In the morning. 

The murder has been reported. No arrests have been made. When asked if the murderers will be punished, one refugee told RB News: "Who will punish him? If he pays money to the police station, nobody will say anything to him. The police will salute him if he pays them money. This isn't a moral country. This is not our country so we have no real justice though we die like cats and dogs."

Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh (Photo: Matias)

Andrew Day
RB News 
August 22, 2013

Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh - 22 year old Rohingya man Mohammed Salim from Nayapara Refugee camp found trouble while trying to collect firewood from a nearby forest. The incident happened on Tuesday, August 20, 2013.

After collecting as much wood as he could travel with, Mohammed Salim headed back towards the camp. Before he reached his destination he was confronted by young men from a nearby village. 

The villagers demanded that Mohammed Salim gave him the firewood. When he refused, the young men began to beat him. He managed to escape from their clutches and ran away.

The next day, the young villagers sought out to find mohammed. reportedly donning a large knife, a gun and a large stick. 

Once the villagers failed to locate him, they proceeded to call the local Forestry Office. The villagers fabricated a story that Mohammed had collected wood from an area that was close to the village and restricted from cutting.

The Forestry Office contacted to Camp in Charge (CIC) office. The CIC called two police constables who proceeded to go to to his house. When they arrived, the police arrested the young mans father Mohammed Ali. They brought him to the CIC office. After questioning, the CIC fined him for 1500 BDT to be paid to the Forestry Office.

Andrew Day
RB News 
August 22, 2013

Sittwe, Arakan - Sad news from a Rohingya IDP camp in Ohn Daw Gyi village, in the western part of the Sittwe township . 

30 year old Daw Jamila Begum during childbirth. Referred by a member of the International Malteser Organization, she was admitted to Sittwe General hospital at 3pm on the 20th of August. She delivered her baby at 10am the next day. Locals say her death was due to a lack of medical assistance. 

Daw Jamila Begum was the daughter of U Zafar Ahmad from Ohn Daw Gyi camp no. 128. 

Her body was taken to Mansi cemetery. According to the cemetery's caretaker, a mid wife could be seen there, with the new born baby.


Dr. Dipu Moni visiting Kutupalong Camp on August 17, 2013 (Photo: UNHCR, Cox's Bazaar)

By Andrew Day
RB News 
August 21, 2013

Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh: "Very bad news from our Foreign Minister." He spoke. "She said we will be sent to repatriate to Myanmar. Did you read? What shall we do?" This is the sentiment and words from a refugee living within a registered camp in Bangladesh. This, in reaction to the result of a recent visit to Cox's Bazaar from Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni.

Her excellency, Dr. Moni visited just one of the camps. RB News posted a letter addressed to the Foreign Minister. It was prepared by the refugee CMC Chairman of the unvisited camp. Written with such high hopes and care. They weren't given the opportunity to present the letter to her. 

Dr. Moni who has stated "The government is keeping strict vigilance as the Rohingyas would get their right to citizenship in Myanmar." The FM office says that any move would be completely voluntary repatriation. She adds "We have finalized to send them back to their homeland through discussion with Myanmar authority but could not do so due to riot there."

Voluntary Repatriation, supposedly requires cooperation from the refugees country of origin. 

Myanmar, a country who's government let's anti Muslim propaganda get distributed and are either unable or unwilling to stop mobs and racist groups who want to wipe out the Rohingya people. 

Thousands of people held within Arakan state in unregistered camps, in flooded paddy fields in absolute squaller. All aid blocked for "security reasons." 

Voluntary Repatriation to a country who's government are currently trafficking hundreds of Rohingyas from Southern Maungdaw to Malaysia. 

Cooperation between countries. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mohammad Shahidul Haque recently stated he approves "in principle, the proposal to construct a barbed wire [fence] along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, set up searchlights, build watchtowers and 21 new outposts to improve border surveillance." 

Bangladesh has a population crisis. The Foreign ministry just wants the Rohingyas out of the country. 

Back in the refugee camps. Despite the terrible living conditions, the idea of Rohingyas volunteering to go to Myanmar at this point in time, seems far fetched. 

One Rohingya told RB News, "Bangladesh is like a small hell for Rohingyas. Myanmar, that's a big hell for them"

Rohingya refugee children at Nayapara Camp in Bangladesh (Photo: Matias)

Andrew Day
RB News 
August 16, 2013

Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh - 50 year old Haidor Ali from Block-D of the Nayapara refugee camp, was mercilessly beaten by a Police Nike.

The altercation occurred on August 13, when the police came to his home after an unfounded complaint from a 17 year old boy from a different block. 

The Police Nike, who's name is Jahangir, beat the man until he collapsed, then continued to beat him with a shoe.

The unconscious man was brought to the CIC Camp in Charge (CIC) office. The CIC was absent at that time. After waiting, a CIC clerk eventually took him to a doctor. 

The doctor refused his treatment saying that Ali simply had an asthma attack. According to the refugees, This is common practice, doctors writing false reports to protect government forces from abuse cases.

This is one report of many in the wake of a visit from Foreign Minister DR Dipu Moni. She along with UNHCR Country Representatives has a visit planned for August 17-18. 

5 people from each block will be elected to by The Camp Management Committee (CMC) and the Block Management Committee (BMC) to relay to the visiting group, the conditions within the camp. The GOB and UNHCR will elect a geoup to protect the camp for a one year contract.

As usual, a wide berth from the visitors will be enforced to students and other educated Refugees. 

For the occasion of this visit the refugee community within the camp has written a plea to the Foreign Minister. 

RB News has acquired a copy: 

Her Excellency 

To, 

The Honorable Dr. Dipu Moni 
Foreign Affair and Permanent Parliament Members 
Dhaka, Bangladesh 

Subject: Conditions for repatriation. 

We the refugees of Nayapara Camp would like to draw your kind attention to the following conditions of us placed before you on what we will be willing to go back to our native land Arakan Burma. 

(1) To recognize Rohingya as an indigenous ethnic minority of Myanmar and issue full citizenship ID, Cards. 

(2) To ensure safety and full protection of the returnees upon their return to Arakan, Burma.

(3) To ensure our full human rights in our country. 

(4) To return all of the confiscated properties, lands of the returnees and provide compensations. 

(5) To ensure equal rights as political rights, employment’s rights according to his/her qualification like other indigenous ethnic group of Burma. 

(6) To stop human rights violation, racial stubborn discrimination, religious discrimination extortions, force labor and arbitrary arrest especially on Rohingyas. 

(7) To stop brutal oppression against Rohingya Muslims. 

(8) To continue existence of UN office on Human rights Watch, with full power as per p-s wise and district wise. Especially on Rohingya dominated area. 

(9) We urge for a legal durable solution according to 1951 convention and 1967 protocol as well as international law. 

As all above mentioned factors are elements that directory contributes to uproot and displaced hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas from Arakan, unless and until developing the situation in Arakan, the repatriation. 

We therefore pray and hope that your Excellencies would be kind enough to consider and do the needful as mentioned above and obliged thereby. 

Your Excellency sincerely 

Refugee CMC Chairman 

For Banner 

Welcome to the Refugees Camp 

We would like to request your Excellency to continue endeavor for our immediate durable solution according to 1951 Geneva conventions and 1967 protocol and as per 2nd 3rd Refugee option. 

We are very honored upon your visit to our camp and we feel proud as well as happy to have you amid us. We are grateful to you and the Government as well as its kind hearted people for giving shelters to us in your country and continuum assistances. 

We urge you and GOB to talk with the Government of Myanmar on decades-long ethnic violence to the minority Rohingyas. 

We urge you and your Government to have an attempting which could yield a durable solution for the most persecuted Rohingya Refugee. 

We would like to end our miserable lives through your congenial initiatives and entreat your help to build up our lives with dignity and rights. 

Our warmest and hearty thanks to you and your Government for raising your voice to propagate our plight to the world. 

We ask the GOB, UN, EU, OIC, UN, agencies and International Communities to increase constantly the diplomatic discussion to solve refugee issues with the Myanmar. We are very grateful and thanks to Bangladesh; UN; UNHCR; all the donor countries and all the operating organization for supporting us throughout our camp journey.

For Placard 

1. Raise voice to stop genocide and stubborn discrimination on muslim in Burma. 
2. Raise voice to communal violence and arm force on Rohingya muslim in Burma. 
3. Raise voice to stop discrimination on Rohingya muslim religion and radically opposed in Burma. 
4. Raise voice to stop raping plundering arson arbitrary arrest human rights violation. 
5. Kidnapping and assassination on Rohingya muslim in Burma. 

We are honored upon your visit to our camp. 
Thanks to GOB and its kind hearted people. 

We ask to end our miserable shed lives. 
Thanks to GOB for long time humanitarian assistances. 

We are one of the most persecuted ethnic minorities on earth. 
We are very uncertain with our future. 
Can’t we be given a hope of new life for the sake of humanity? 
We would not like to be any more burden to GOB. 
We need your help to build up our new life.

(Photo: Matias)

Andrew Day
RB News 
August 12, 2013

Two Rohingya women, a mother and daughter who are Refugees registered through the UNHCR and the Government of Bangladesh, were sent from Bangladesh to Myanmar yesterday by the BGB. 

41 year old Gul Bahar and her 25 year old daughter, Dhalu were detained by the BGB (Border Gaurd Bangladesh) at the Whykaung check post. The border guards were suspicious of the women as they could not speak Bengali. They only speak Rohingya. The guards did not give the women opportunity to present their refugee identification. In the presence of the BDR from the border of bangladesh, the women were handed over to a boat man with orders to take them to Myanmar. 

The woman have arrived in Myanmar and they are still in a house of the boat man. There are reports that the man offered to secretly take them back to Bangladesh if they each pay him 10000 Taka. 

The women's UNCHR identification numbers are 742-00018968 and 287-00008784. 

The women were detained while travelling to Cox's Bazaar Prison to see Dhalu's father on Eid day. He has been in jail for 2 years now. He was taken by the Coast Guard near the boarder of Saint Martin, while attempting to get to Malaysia.

Nayapara camp (Photo: Flickr)

Andrew Day
RB News
July 26, 2013

Cox’s Bazaar: On Sunday, July 21, 2013, Nur Kabir sat on a chair outside of a pity (small) shop. Kabir, 25, son of Nasir Ahamed, was talking business with the shop keeper in block P of the Nayapara Refugee camp, in the Cox's Bazaar district of Bangladesh. 

Four police officers approached the shop as Kabir and the shop keeper were speaking. One officer demanded that Kabir got up from the chair. In conversation, the young refugee student failed to immediately comply with their demand. According to witnesses, the four police officers approached the boy and began to "beat him mercilessly" with sticks. Kabir was then sent to the CIC (camp in charge) office. The CIC told his parents to admit him to the hospital. He was admitted for chest injuries. After a four day hospital stay, he was released. 

Once returning, the CIC conducted their investigation. The police stated that the boy had threatened to assault them and that their actions were in self defense. This is contrary to all other witness accounts. The CIC, taking the word of the police, proceeded to scold Kabir. He asked him why he would threaten the police, as they are government employees and that his actions could lead to his arrest. 

The Nayapara Refugee camp, holds about 10000 Rohingyas, is one camp in the area that are officially recognized by the UN. Most of the population is the result of Rohingya fleeing from Myanmar in the mid 1990's. Residents of the camp say that the students and the educated are treated particularly poorly. They are made to keep wide berths from any international delegates who visit. They say that "the government does not want the world to know about the terrible conditions that they are living in." 

There has been precedent of arrests made to refugee students for simply carrying cell phones. When speaking with residents about the beating of young Kabir, this was the general response. "Today it was him that was beaten. Tomorrow it will be me. This is not our country, so they hate us." This is an example if the hardship within one of the refugee camps that are officially recognized by the UNHCR. Their situation however, appears good in contrast to the 95 thousand plus in the "Unofficial" Kutupalong refugee camp. There, Rohingya face constant food and medical aid shortages. There are estimated to be over 100000 secretly living within the woods and the villages, struggling to survive.

    • Rohingya Exodus