On Sunday, tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees living in sprawling camps in Bangladesh marked the seventh anniversary of their mass exodus from Myanmar. The refugees, gathered in an open field at Kutupalong camp in Cox’s Bazar district, held banners and festoons proclaiming their hope for a safe return home. The message was clear: “Hope is Home” and “We Rohingya are the citizens of Myanmar.” They braved the rain on a day that has come to be known as “Rohingya Genocide Day.”
The anniversary serves as a somber reminder of the events of August 25, 2017, when hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, seeking refuge from the violence that erupted in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Amid indiscriminate killings and widespread violence, they crossed the border on foot and by boats, leaving behind their homes and lives. The catalyst for the exodus was a brutal crackdown by the Myanmar military following attacks by an insurgent group on guard posts. The scale and ferocity of the operation drew international condemnation, with accusations of ethnic cleansing and genocide levied against Myanmar by the United Nations and other organizations.
Then-Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina responded to the crisis by ordering border guards to open the border, providing sanctuary to over 700,000 refugees. This influx added to the existing Rohingya population in Bangladesh, which had already swelled to over 300,000 due to previous waves of violence perpetrated by Myanmar’s military.
Since 2017, Bangladesh has attempted to repatriate the refugees on at least two occasions, urging the international community to pressure Myanmar into creating a safe and peaceful environment conducive to their return. Prime Minister Hasina even sought China’s help in mediating the situation. However, the recent escalation of violence in Rakhine state, sparked by clashes between the Arakan Army and Myanmar’s security forces, has only served to exacerbate the crisis. This renewed chaos has forced more Rohingya to flee towards Bangladesh and other destinations, desperate to escape the escalating violence.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, hundreds of Myanmar soldiers and border guards sought refuge in Bangladesh to escape the violence. Bangladesh, after providing shelter, later peacefully handed them over to Myanmar.
As the protests unfolded in the refugee camps on Sunday, the United Nations and human rights groups voiced their concern over the ongoing turmoil in Rakhine state. Refugees International, a Washington-based organization, released a statement highlighting the dire situation: “In Rakhine state, increased fighting between Myanmar’s military junta and the AA (Arakan Army) over the past year has both caught Rohingya in the middle and seen them targeted. The AA has advanced and burned homes in Buthidaung, Maungdaw, and other towns, recently using drones to bomb villages.” The statement further revealed, “The junta has forcibly recruited Rohingya and bombed villages in retaliation. Tens of thousands of Rohingya have been newly displaced, including several who have tried to flee into Bangladesh.”
UNICEF reported receiving alarming information indicating that civilians, especially children and families, were being targeted or caught in the crossfire, leading to deaths, severe injuries, and significant challenges in providing humanitarian aid in Rakhine state.
The seventh anniversary of the Rohingya exodus serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Rakhine state. The international community must continue to advocate for the safe return of the Rohingya refugees and ensure their fundamental rights and safety are protected.
