On August 25, tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh held protests against dire living conditions, while marking nine years since the military crackdown that forced them to flee Myanmar.
More than 1.2 million Rohingya live in about 30 camps in Cox's Bazar, southeastern Bangladesh—considered the world's largest refugee settlement. They also demanded safety guarantees and the right to return to their homeland in Myanmar's Rakhine state.
Protesters on Tuesday (Aug 25) called on the international community to ensure security in Rakhine as they observed what they termed the "ninth anniversary of the Rohingya genocide."
The refugee group United Rohingya Council (UCR) said the protest was held to "remember the atrocities that occurred" and highlight "the ongoing humanitarian crisis."
Most refugees crossed the border during the mass exodus in 2017, after Myanmar—where Buddhism is the majority religion—launched a military campaign in Rakhine in response to an attack by an armed group.
Bangladesh's government has previously attempted to repatriate refugees at least twice, but these efforts stalled because no refugees were willing to return due to security fears in Myanmar. Dhaka insists it will not force anyone to go back.
Earlier this month, Myanmar's military government said more than 300,000 people living in camps in Bangladesh were former residents of Rakhine state and would accept them back once security improves.
However, Bangladesh rejected Myanmar's figures and its continued refusal to use the term "Rohingya." The junta's labeling of them as "Bengalis" is seen as an attempt to deny the group's identity and their right to return to Rakhine.
