Justice and Peace Commission says Rohingya should be accepted in Bangladesh on humanitarian grounds
Thousands are trying to cross the border, even at night, seeking safety. Those who are caught are sent back to Myanmar. "They are our brothers and sisters,” a Dhaka imam says.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Myanmar’s Rohingya are being driven towards Bangladesh, which in turn is refusing them entry.
For Theophil Nokrek, secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh, “the refugees should be allowed to enter Bangladesh on humanitarian ground. They have the right to save their lives.” In fact, the "government should be flexible towards Rohingya refugees so as to save their lives".
Every day, hundreds of Rohingya have been trying to cross into Bangladesh, in the southern districts of Cox's Bazar and Bandarban, to flee the fighting with the Myanmar military. More than a hundred Rohingya have been recently killed by soldiers.
Although the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) is stopping refugees at the border, the latter try to sneak into the country at night, unseen.
Mostak Ahmad, 70, is a Rohingya who is now in the "no-man's land" in Bandarban, where his life is in constant danger. "My only son was captured by the Myanmar army. I'm sure he will not come out alive. We escaped here to save our lives. We seek refuge in Bangladesh."
Rohina Akter is also Rohingya. "My husband is innocent,” she says, “but the Burmese soldiers took him. He was tortured before my eyes. I escaped to save myself and save my children."
Like them, other Rohingya have escaped from Myanmar to seek salvation and refuge in Bangladesh. However, many of them have been caught by the border police, which provides them with food and medical care before sending them back.
No Christian or NGO is currently working for Rohingya refugees on the border.
Many Muslims in the country would like to welcome the refugees. "The Rohingya are our brothers and sisters. They are Muslims,” said an imam at a Dhaka mosque. “We should not push them back; we should save them.”
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09/09/2022 17:16
