by Hafizur Rahman
Cox’s Bazar, October 5, 2025:
Rohingya refugees who were trafficked to Indonesia under false promises are now warning others not to take the same deadly route. Many of them say they are suffering from hunger, lack of shelter, and uncertainty about their future.
False Promises and Harsh Reality
Several survivors told Rohingya Khobor that they were misled by traffickers who promised safety, jobs, and education for their children. “After coming to Indonesia with the false promises of human traffickers, we are suffering a lot here. It was much harder during the sea journey than when we came to Bangladesh from Myanmar,” one survivor said.
The refugees described the difficult conditions they faced upon arrival. “We did not get any shelter, and we cannot educate our children or meet our daily needs,” another person explained. “We did not realize how much we would suffer before coming here. After arriving, we understood that they had betrayed us.”
A Message to Fellow Refugees
The survivors are now sending a message to other Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. “Please stay there and do not believe the false promises of traffickers. It will be better to stay in Bangladesh than to come here and suffer,” they urged.
Trafficking Risks Continue to Rise
Human rights groups have repeatedly warned that Rohingya refugees remain at high risk of trafficking and exploitation as they try to escape overcrowded camps and poor living conditions. Traffickers often target vulnerable families with false promises of work and resettlement abroad.
The warning from Rohingya survivors in Indonesia underscores the urgent need for stronger protection measures and increased awareness against trafficking within refugee communities.
