Fortify Rights has urged the Bangladesh government to investigate and hold accountable officials involved in the beatings and forced returns of Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar. Research by Fortify Rights indicates that since February, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has forcibly pushed back over 300 Rohingya refugees in six separate incidents.
- Fortify Rights urges Bangladesh to investigate BGB’s treatment of Rohingya refugees.
- Over 300 Rohingya refugees forcibly returned to Myanmar since February.
- Refugees report beatings, verbal abuse, and denial of entry by BGB.
- Bangladesh authorities publicly refuse to accept more Rohingya refugees.
- Fortify Rights emphasizes Bangladesh’s obligations under international law.
Interviews with nine Rohingya individuals from Maungdaw, who escaped ongoing conflict and persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, reveal harrowing accounts of violence and abuse. A 28-year-old Rohingya man recounted his traumatic experience of fleeing Leik Ya village after witnessing his home destroyed and three relatives killed, including his five-year-old nephew. The BGB intercepted the refugees on March 6, beat them, and forced them back to Myanmar despite their pleas.
A 41-year-old man described similar treatment on February 7 when he and his family attempted to cross the border. He recounted experiencing two strikes while carrying his child. The BGB pushed her group back, leaving another Rohingya woman, 25, from Maungdaw Township, stranded on Bilashordiya island without food or shelter.
The testimonies highlight the desperate attempts of Rohingya refugees to escape persecution, only to face brutality at the Bangladesh border. In addition to physical violence, refugees reported verbal abuse and denial of entry, despite their pleas for refuge. Bangladesh authorities have publicly refused to accept more Rohingya refugees, citing security and resource concerns.
Fortify Rights emphasized that Bangladesh, as a state party to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), is bound by the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to a country where they may face torture or persecution. The organization called for a thorough investigation into the violence against Rohingya refugees and decisive action to hold those responsible accountable.
The ongoing persecution of Rohingya refugees underscores the urgent need for stronger international action to protect vulnerable populations in Myanmar. Fortify Rights warned that failure to address the root causes of persecution and provide adequate protection for refugees would perpetuate the cycle of violence and suffering endured by the Rohingya community.
