KALADAN NEWS

Dated: Sunday January 11, 2004

Burmese Rohingya Refugees:

Detained for Refusal of Forced Repatriation in Bangladesh

Chittagong, January 11: Six Burmese Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh camp were sent to police custody for refusal of forced repatriation on first week of January 2004, said a refugee from Nayapara Camp.

On 3^rd January, at around 11:00 am, Mohammed Siddique, the Camp-in-Charge (CIC) of Nayapara camp accompanied by some majees and staff did an operation in the camp and arrested Mohd Alam, Ibrahim, Putia and Jafor from Shed No. 57 by accusing of gambling, while they were gossiping in front of their shed. Subsequently, they were asked by CIC either to accept repatriation or to go to jail. They promptly denied any of them, he further added. 

As a result, the said 4 refugees accompanied by two others Mohammed Salim and Mohammed Ayub, were sent to the police custody for refusal of repatriation. The latter two refugees were also refusing the forced repatriation, said another refugee from the same camp. 

For further process of forced repatriation, the CIC has already instructed to the Majees (Shed leaders) to step up immediate repatriation of remaining refugees in the camps. Refugees are under tight securities and not allow any refugee to go out of the camps except their agents, he further elaborated.

Rohingya refugees are being suppressed and oppressed systematically in Bangladesh camps for forced repatriation, such as-- detention in Camp-in-Charge office, in the police custody and prisons, and also being cut off food rations and medical facilities. They are shifted from one shed to another and separated their family members.

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