Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh | January 4, 2026
Myanmar’s Independence Day was marked in the Rohingya refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar with a public gathering that carried a powerful message: independence remains incomplete as long as the Rohingya people are denied citizenship, dignity, and justice.
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, gained independence from British colonial rule on January 4, 1948. This year marks the 78th anniversary of that moment. While the day is officially celebrated as a symbol of national freedom, Rohingya leaders say independence has never been meaningful for their community. For decades, Rohingya have faced systematic discrimination, political exclusion, denial of citizenship, and state violence, culminating in mass atrocities that the United Nations has described as genocide. Today, more than one million Rohingya remain displaced in Bangladesh after being forcibly driven from Arakan State.
To commemorate the day and amplify Rohingya voices, the United Council of Rohingya (UCR), a recently elected camp-based Rohingya representative body, organised a mass gathering on January 4 inside the refugee camps.
Broad Participation From the Camps
The gathering drew wide participation from across the camps, including teachers, religious scholars, students, youth activists, political figures, and human rights defenders. Speakers said the program was not only about marking a historical date, but about exposing the contradiction of celebrating independence while an entire people remain stateless and persecuted.
The event highlighted that true freedom cannot exist in Myanmar as long as the Rohingya are excluded from citizenship, political participation, and basic rights.
Unity, Citizenship, and Accountability
Speaking at the gathering, Sayedullah, Acting President of UCR, stressed the importance of unity within the Rohingya community. He said resolving the Rohingya crisis is impossible if parts of the community are excluded or ignored.
“We need everyone, and we must support everyone,” he said. “UCR is working closely with the community to bring positive change for the betterment of all.”
Jahangir Alam, a member of the UCR President Panel, addressed the deeper meaning of Independence Day for Rohingya. He said January 4 cannot represent true independence while Rohingya remain denied their rights.
“Independence can only be meaningful when Rohingya receive full citizenship and equal rights, including political rights,” he said. “Without Rohingya, Myanmar’s independence remains incomplete.”
Addressing the gathering in English, Khin Maung, also a member of the President Panel, made a direct appeal to the international community. He called for justice and accountability for crimes committed against Rohingya and urged global actors to support dignified, voluntary, and safe repatriation.
“We are Rohingya, the indigenous people of Arakan,” he said. “We call on the international community to ensure justice and to guarantee our safe return to our homeland.”
Speaking in Burmese, Shoaib, another UCR leader, directed his message to the wider Myanmar public. He said Myanmar cannot achieve peace or unity without recognizing Rohingya as equal members of society.
“Without the Rohingya, there can be no real independence for Myanmar,” he said. “Recognition, inclusion, and equality are essential for a peaceful future.”
Religious Message and Call for Calm
At the end of the program, Mufti Anis, a religious scholar and UCR member, expressed gratitude to the people and government of Bangladesh for sheltering Rohingya refugees during years of hardship.
He also urged the Rohingya community to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and respectful, especially in the context of upcoming parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh supported us in our darkest times,” he said. “It is our responsibility to remain disciplined and not create any disturbance for the host community.”
An Unfinished Independence
The gathering concluded with a unified message: Myanmar’s independence remains unfinished as long as Rohingya are denied citizenship, dignity, and justice. Speakers reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful advocacy, international engagement, and the long struggle for recognition as equal citizens in their homeland.
For Rohingya refugees watching Independence Day from exile, the date serves not as a celebration, but as a reminder that freedom without inclusion is not freedom at all.
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