The TLDR: There are over one million Rohingya refugees—who have fled persecution in Myanmar—in Bangladesh. The government now plans to relocate 100,000 to an isolated island. But human rights activists say it is "a de facto prison island. It's like the Rohingya Alcatraz."

Can you remind me about the Rohingya?

The Rohingya: They are one of the ethnic minorities in Myanmar, and represent the largest number of Muslims in the Buddhist-dominated country. Most of them live in an area called Rakhine, close to the border with Bangladesh. The Myanmar government refuses to recognize their existence and has denied them citizenship—claiming they are actually Bangladeshi refugees. And hence, its leaders will not even use the word Rohingya, as a leading journalist explains:

“It’s routine for Rohingya to be called Bengalis and even described as Kalars, a slur referring to their darker complexion, to deny that they’re native to Rakhine. It’s all part of denying that they are native, that they have historical links to the land they live on.”

The genocide: In August 2017, the conflict between militants and the military escalated into an all-out massacre. At least 10,000 Rohingya—including children under the age of five—were killed within a month. The army conducted ‘clearance operations’, destroying almost 400 villages.

The exodus: As result, more than 730,000 Rohingya were chased out of the country in what the United Nations described as “a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” Many more have left since. Most of them are now refugees in Bangladesh, but some also went to Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan and India—which now has 40,000 Rohingyas. 

Point to note: More than half a million Rohingya still live in Myanmar. According to the UN, "killings, rapes and gang rapes, torture, forced displacement and other grave rights violations" continue to this day. The government currently faces charges of genocide in the International Court of Justice. An independent inquiry within the country found evidence of "war crimes, serious human rights violations, and violations of domestic law," but claimed there was no evidence of genocide.

Ok, what’s happening in Bangladesh?

The camps: The refugees are settled in overcrowded settlements along the border. The greatest number are in the coastal city of Cox’s Bazar which is home to over one million—and is now the world’s largest refugee camp. The living conditions are unsurprisingly terrible. Families are crammed into flimsy bamboo shacks with very little sanitation. Children can’t go to school, sex and drug trafficking is rampant, and many don’t even have basic items like soap. But as a refugee sums it up: “Compared to Myanmar, Bangladesh still feels like paradise… But the conditions here are inhumane.”

The island: As Cox’s Bazar grows more unmanageable, the Bangladeshi government plans to move 100,000 residents to an island called Bhasan Char. It is made entirely of silt, and is located 60 km off the coast.

The plan: was first proposed in 2015—but nixed as the island is vulnerable to cyclone and flood damage. Now, the government says it has spent $350 million refurbishing Bhasan Char with ‘all modern amenities, year-round fresh water, beautiful lake and proper infrastructure.’

The tour: Authorities also invited journalists to tour the facilities. According to BBC News, 

“The newly built town forms a giant grid, with hundreds of rows of red roofed houses… Overhead, installed on every house and every corner, security cameras kept watch. Navy officials were keen to point out two schools, a mosque, two 40-bed hospitals and two community clinics, all currently under construction.”

Also available: electricity and schools for children—unlike Cox’s Bazar.

Point to note: The government’s justification for the move is that the present settlements are unsustainable. As the New York Times notes:

“The overcrowding caused fatal landslides and flooding, as well as occasional rampaging by elephants unaware that their paths to the river now went through a tarpaulin city. Gun battles have broken out in the camps as different factions fought over limited resources.”

Also: Compared to other nations, Bangladesh has shown “remarkable generosity” in taking in the Rohingyas. Malaysia and Thailand, for example, have refused entry to Rohingyas stranded in boats for months without food and water.

Wait, this sounds like a good thing…

Yes, but the reality may be very different. Back in May, a boat-load of Rohingya refugees tried to flee to Malaysia, but were refused entry. But they were not allowed to return to their camps in Bangladesh either—and were instead taken to Bhasan Char.  At the time, officials cited the pandemic as a reason to keep them isolated. 

As of now, 300-plus such ‘boat refugees’ have been sent to the island. They describe “prison-like conditions,” limited food and water—and no access to medical care or schools. According to Human Rights Watch:

“Refugees on the island said that soldiers threatened and beat up male refugees, including children... Women described hearing screams from the interrogation room. One child said that officials held him in the cell and beat him. 'At one point they suspected I was one of the [smugglers] and they started beating me,' he said. 'I still cannot walk properly and feel the pain of the torture in my body.'” 

Documentary filmmaker Shafiur Rehman shared clips of women on the island speaking of beatings:

Also this: It isn’t clear if Rohingyas are being relocated against their will—or being misled into moving to the island.

The most worrying: Once on the island, the residents are not allowed to leave—and beaten if they ask to return to the camps. In fact, they are not allowed mobile phones either—leaving them completely isolated. Also a red flag: The government has turned down repeated requests from human rights groups and the United Nations for access to the island. 

What about India?

Our policy on the Rohingya has always been crystal clear. Back in 2017, the government declared: “As far as we are concerned they are all illegal immigrants. They have no basis to live here. Anybody who is an illegal migrant will be deported.” And we have done exactly that. In fact, conditions are so hostile in India, that many Rohingya are fleeing back to Bangladesh. During the pandemic, refugees were left to their fate, facing starvation—without any access to testing or medical care.

Point to note: New Delhi regards Myanmar as a “close friend, partner, and neighbour”—and is eager to ensure it doesn’t turn toward China. And the most recent statement emphasized “an early stabilisation of the situation in the Rakhine State” and “an early return of the displaced persons.” Zero mention of refugees or even Rohingya here.

The bottomline: Myanmar doesn’t want the Rohingya back—and steadfastly refuses to grant them citizenship even if they return. Bangladesh will not accept any more refugees—and is trying to isolate and control those already within its border. The rest of the world either isn’t paying attention or doesn’t care.

Reading list

• New York Times offers a balanced report on the relocation plan. Human Rights Watch has the most details. 
• Read the disturbing Amnesty International report on conditions on the island.
• The Guardian put together an excellent interactive piece on Cox’s Bazar.
• BBC News has the best explainer on the Rohingyas.
• BBC News traces the fall of Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi from democracy champion to genocide apologist. 
• The Wire has the most recent report on conditions of Rohingya refugees in India.
• This older Scroll piece explains why many are going back to Bangladesh.
• The Print explains India’s foreign policy strategy vis a vis Myanmar.