Statement: Desperate Rohingya Caught at the Bangladesh-Myanmar Border

Desperate Rohingya Caught at the Bangladesh-Myanmar Border

Justice For All’s Burma Task Force team is currently on the ground at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, where they have interviewed genocide survivors fleeing from Burma (Myanmar). Over the past two days, 25 dinghies carrying desperate Rohingya from the Min Gla Gy Naf River attempted to cross into Bangladesh. Tragically, one dinghy capsized mid-river, but the remaining 24 boats made it to the Naf riverbank on the Bangladeshi side.

Upon arrival at Teknaf Boroy Tuli and the Zadimura (Jadimura) Buddha Temple point, around 800 genocide survivors were taken into various camps. These survivors are now facing dire conditions with no shelter, severe food shortages and a lack of basic necessities such as clothing. Their situation is increasingly desperate.

Furthermore, over 11,000 Rohingya remain stranded at the Min Gla Gy Naf riverbank, forced to flee by the relentless military assaults, including airstrikes by the Arakan Army and Myanmar’s military junta. In the last two days alone, 230 Rohingya were arrested by the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) at Zadimura (Jadimura)  and Teknaf Boroy Toli. These individuals were deported back to Myanmar, where they continue to face persecution.

The survivors who manage to escape Myanmar are now being preyed upon by human traffickers and pirates. As Rohingya are deported to locations such as Lal Dip Island near Julia Dip Island, they are once again targeted by these criminal networks. Human traffickers, some of whom are Bangladeshi orRohingya, are exploiting these vulnerable individuals, demanding exorbitant ransoms and subjecting women to horrific sexual assaults.

Particularly concerning is the case of a known human trafficker from Zadimura, named Shofik, who the BGB recently apprehended carrying illegal drugs. Despite his arrest, his network continues to operate, further endangering the lives of innocent Rohingya survivors.

One Rohingya woman recounted the harrowing experience of crossing the river safely only to be brutally mistreated by Bangladeshi boatmen upon arrival. She and other women were subjected to sexual abuse, physical violence, and the theft of their money and possessions. These crimes took place in a two-story building in Teknaf Boroy Toli, where the survivors were held captive.

The survivors’ critical documents have been seized by the traffickers, who are demanding large sums of money for their return. In one case, a ransom of BDT 60,000 has been demanded. The ongoing harassment, looting and violence against these genocide survivors must be urgently addressed.

Justice For All’s Burma Task Force calls on the international community to intervene and protect these vulnerable individuals from further exploitation and violence. The Rohingya survivors of genocide deserve safety, dignity and justice.

Justice For All stands in solidarity with them and demands immediate action to end this cycle of abuse.