Bangladesh Must Protect the Rights of Rohingya Muslims Stranded at Sea

Description: 

"Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution from Myanmar have been left stranded at sea on the Bay of Bengal following a decision by Bangladesh to refuse to bring them ashore. Rohingya refugees were trying to make their way to Malaysia; however, the country’s restrictions on receiving any boats in light of the coronavirus pandemic left them in the Bay of Bengal. Now the nearest country, Bangladesh, is likewise leaving them deserted. There are approximately 500 Rohingyas, including many women and children, stranded on two trawlers, risking starvation and in need of urgent medical assistance after having been left at sea for weeks. According to the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, Rohingya refugees at sea have no access to adequate food or water, leaving them in an unacceptable plight. Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Abdul Momen said, “I am opposed to allowing these Rohingya into the country because Bangladesh is always asked to take care of the responsibility of other countries.” He further added, “We have no room to shelter any foreign people or refugees.” In addition, the Bangladesh government has even denied the fact that these trawlers full of Rohingyas exist, in a bid to try to shirk further responsibility..."

Creator/author: 

Tasnim Nazeer

Source/publisher: 

"The Diplomat" (Japan)

Date of Publication: 

2020-04-27

Date of entry: 

2020-04-27

Grouping: 

  • Individual Documents

Category: 

Countries: 

Myanmar, Bangladesh

Language: 

English

Resource Type: 

text

Text quality: 

    • Good