Ensure safe return to Myanmar

Rohingyas have one again demanded their safe return to their homeland  Myanmar.

They made the call at a rally in Lambashia camp-1 (East) in Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya. The rally was organised on the occasion of Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day yesterday.

Braving rain, thousands of refugees took part in the rally.

Rohingyas across the world observe the day on August 25, commemorating the brutal military campaign beginning this day in 2017 that forced some 750,000 Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh.

Speaking at the rally, Mohammad Zubair, chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, a camp-based organisation working for rights and justice of Rohingyas, said the international community should put more pressure on the Myanmar junta to start repatriation as soon as possible.

He mentioned that after scraping citizenship of Rohingyas, the junta imposed restrictions on their movement, education and livelihoods. At last, they were expelled from their homeland by thejunta in 2017.

"They burnt our houses, raped our women and committed genocide against us. We want justice," he said.

Zubair also raised a five-point demand, including repatriation, recognition of their ethnicity, safe zone for Rohingyas, and giving back their citizenship.

Another Rohingya leader Kamal Hossain said, "We want our citizenship back. We are citizens of Myanmar and it must be accepted by Myanmar. They will have to take us back with full dignity, safety and security. They should do it in coordination with the international community."

Shahid Win, a Rohingya woman, said, "Six years have already passed since we fled the country. We don't want to stay in Bangladesh anymore. We want justice for the genocide."

At least 12 more rallies were held at different camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf.