Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya camps observed Myanmar’s 78th Independence Day on Sunday with various programmes, while voicing an urgent plea to return to their homeland.
At separate assemblies in Camp-1 (West) and Camp-9 from morning to afternoon, the Rohingyas community raised questions over repatriation, lamenting the slow progress.
“When will repatriation happen?” asked several Rohingya leaders, alleging that the process exists only on paper.
In Camp-1 (West), the United Council of Rohingya (UCR) hosted a ceremony featuring Myanmar’s national anthem. Discussions focused on the community’s history and the ongoing statelessness crisis.
UCR President Master Syedullah said, “Myanmar may have gained independence, but it has never applied to us. Our citizenship was stripped away, and we have no right to return home. After all these years, we remain stateless. Despite promises, repatriation has made no visible progress. We want to go home by any means.”
Meanwhile, in Camp-9, the Rohingya Committee for Peace and Repatriation held its own event. Chairman Dil Mohammad called for stronger international pressure on Myanmar.
“Repatriation is impossible without active involvement from the UN, ASEAN, and influential nations,” he said.
Maulana Abdur Rahim expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for sheltering the Rohingya. “Bangladesh has given us refuge. But this crisis is not theirs alone. Without international action, the situation will worsen,” he warned.
Although Myanmar gained independence in 1948, Rohinghas were denied citizenship. The 1982 Citizenship Law rendered them stateless, and the 2017 genocide escalated the crisis regionally and internationally.
Analysts caution that delays in repatriation could adversely affect Bangladesh’s national security.
