Forcefully displaced Rohingyas held a rally and protest march at a camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday, demanding justice for the genocide committed by the Myanmar military junta in Rakhine (Arakan) State in 2017 and calling for a safe and dignified repatriation.
During the demonstration, the displaced Myanmar citizens made a poignant appeal, asking the international community for just “10 minutes” of its time. They expressed their belief that if the world dedicates merely 10 minutes to focus on the Rohingya crisis, a path towards a permanent solution will be found.
The rally, which began around 10am on Tuesday, was organised by the United Council of Rohingya (UCR) at Rohingya Camp 4 in Ukhiya, drawing a large number of participants.
From the early hours of dawn, Rohingyas from various camps began gathering at the venue, carrying banners and placards. The participants remembered their loved ones who were killed or displaced during the violence in Rakhine State in 2017.
They demanded justice for the genocide, torture, and forced displacement committed against the Rohingya, whilst reiterating their demand to return to their homeland, Myanmar, in a safe, voluntary, and dignified manner.
Addressing the gathering, speakers emphasised that repatriation cannot be sustainable unless their security, citizenship, and basic rights are fully guaranteed in Myanmar. They called for effective initiatives from the international community.
The speakers noted that since the Rohingya crisis originated in Myanmar, its final and permanent solution must also be ensured within Myanmar.
Expressing frustration, they pointed out that despite dealing with the crisis through humanitarian assistance for nine long years, no effective progress has been made towards actual repatriation.
“Even though nine years have passed since the genocide of 2017, we are yet to receive justice,” said Syed Ullah, a member of the UCR Presidential Panel and Rohingya rights activist. “We want to return to our motherland, Myanmar, safely and with dignity.”
He further added, “We do not want any repatriation without ensuring our citizenship, security, and basic rights. We call upon the international community to take effective steps to ensure justice for the genocide committed against the Rohingya and to create a safe environment for repatriation.”
Mohammad Rafique, another Rohingya rights activist, said at the rally, “We want only 10 minutes of time from the world, yet we have passed nine years.” He said, “Bangladesh is not our country; we want to return to our own country. For this, everyone must remain united.”
“Arakan is ours—there is no truth greater than this. The humanitarian world must think about this with importance,” he commented.
The human toll of the prolonged displacement was reflected in the tearful words of Abdul Hakim, an elderly Rohingya.
“Nine years have passed in the blink of an eye, but our wait to return home has not ended. We do not know when we will be able to return to our own homesteads in Myanmar’s Rakhine again.”
Master Mohammad Shoaib, a UCR leader, addressed the rally in Burmese. He said, “The international community must work effectively to create a repatriation environment so we can return to our country without fear or uncertainty.”
“No progress in repatriation has been made in nine years,” he added. “The international community must not forget the Rohingya crisis. We need a clear and time-bound repatriation plan for our children’s future.”
Khin Maung, another Rohingya leader, said, “Turning the Rohingya crisis into a long-term, relief-dependent crisis is not a solution. We do not want to remain refugees generation after generation, depending on aid.”
Sajida Begum, a female leader of UCR, believes that the most horrific impact of the genocide and persecution fell on women and children. Countless people lost their loved ones and homes. She said, “We want a future where our children will not have to flee anymore.”
The rally saw a deeply symbolic moment when the participants chanted various slogans in the Rohingya language for 10 minutes, attempting to draw the attention of the global community.
The event concluded with a special prayers led by Moulvi Abdur Rahim. Prayers were offered to Almighty Allah seeking forgiveness for the souls of those who fell victim to the massacre, justice for the genocide, and to ease the path to return safely to their own country.
To ensure security during the event, Riyaz Uddin Ahmed, Commander of 8 APBn on duty in the Rohingya camps, said that necessary security measures were taken on behalf of the APBn to keep the law and order situation normal centring the rally.
“The law enforcement forces are on alert to maintain security and order in the camps,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner said that, like every year, permission was granted for the Rohingya rally. APBn members are active to maintain overall security and law and order centring the rally.
From this rally, the Rohingya urged the international community that a permanent solution to this crisis is not possible through aid alone. A suitable environment for repatriation in Myanmar must be ensured through political will, international solidarity, and effective diplomatic pressure.
Their only demand now is that a safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation to their motherland begins.
