Rohingya demand security as UN rights chief visits Bangladesh’s squalid camps
- Michelle Bachelet met residents of the sprawling and squalid relief settlements housing nearly a million ethnic Rohingya who fled persecution in Myanmar
- The crackdown by the army against the mostly Muslim minority is the subject of a case at the UN’s highest court, with Myanmar’s authorities accused of genocide
Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh on Tuesday implored the United Nations rights chief for protection after recent murders that have again left members of the stateless minority fearful for their safety.
Michelle Bachelet spent the day meeting with residents of the sprawling and squalid relief settlements housing nearly a million ethnic Rohingya who fled persecution in neighbouring Myanmar.
Security in the camps came back into focus this month after two refugee community leaders were shot dead, allegedly by an insurgent group active in the camps.
“She wanted to know about murders in the camps. We discussed it and also we discussed camp security,” religious leader Maulvi Zafar told AFP by phone after meeting with the envoy.
“We talked about strengthening camp security. We demanded security.”
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Bangladesh landslides kill at least 6 Rohingya refugees, force thousands out of camp shelters
Most inhabitants of the camps fled Myanmar in 2017 after an army offensive against the mostly Muslim minority.