Worsening Conditions for Rohingya Refugees

Blog by Jerry Allen, Country Coordinator for Bangladesh

In 2017, almost one million Rohingya were forced into Bangladesh.  The conditions that these refugees are being detained in are getting worse.  Most of them still live in Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazar district.  More than 30,000 Rohingya have been moved to an uninhabited island in the Bay of Bengal.

The inhabitants of these camps are exposed to the dangers of floods and fire. Access to education, the health system and drinking water is restricted, as is freedom of movement and assembly. Schooling for children is limited in terms of time and content. In the Kutupalong camp, criminal gangs compete for supremacy.  Women are particularly in danger and there are reports of women being forced into prostitution.

Please remember the Rohingya in Bangladesh when you are campaigning on refugee issues.

Rohingya Campaign

AI Germany have been campaigning on this, and now an Activist Led Campaign has been approved for UK activists to join the campaign.  Two actions have been approved by the International Secretariat.  Please contact Jerry Allen (jerry.allen@amnesty.org.uk) if you would like more information on these actions.  This is not an official AIUK campaign. 

The two Actions:

1. Forced prostitution and sex trafficking of women and girls in Rohingya refugee camps.

Amnesty International is concerned about the reports of sexual violence against women and girls in the refugee camps.  Rohingya women and girls, who make up more than half of the 700,000 refugees at in the Kutupalong camp, are today subjected to many forms of human rights violations. Among them include sex trafficking and forced prostitution.

The campaign urges the Government of Bangladesh to take precautions to stop trafficking and harassment against women.  It also asks that access to education and work opportunities for girls and women is ensured. The lack of access to work and education has led to the increase in human trafficking, child marriage and forced marriage, sexual exploitation and forced labour.

Take action here!

2. Security and freedom of movement for the Rohingya refugees

The inhabitants of the camps are exposed to the danger of floods and fires because of the location of the camps and the high security fences.  Access to education, the health system and drinking water is restricted, as is freedom of movement.  Criminal gangs compete for supremacy.

This campaign urges the government in Bangladesh to ensure that the refugees can lead a dignified life.  This includes housing, food, medical care, and security.  The authorities must ensure that the Rohingya community is involved in all decisions affecting their lives and rights.  Journalists, representatives of the United Nations and civil society organisations, must be given unhindered access to the camps to independently assess the situation of the Rohingyas.  The government must uphold the principle of non-refoulement and ensure that the Rohingya refugees are not sent to a place which is not safe.

Take action here!

Please see an excerpt from the report by AI Germany on the current situation for the Rohingya

More Information:

Previous Blog

Please also see the previous blog on the Rohingya: “The Forgotten Refugees of South Asia”

Human Rights Watch Report 

For more information please see the Human Rights Watch report from August 2023 “Future Bleak for Rohingya in Bangladesh”.