By: Camp Correspondent
March 20, 2025
The Rohingya community has strongly opposed a controversial agreement between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC), which grants Bangladeshi intelligence agencies access to the biometric database of Rohingya refugees.
The agreement allows the government to cross-check refugee records with Bangladesh’s National ID system, allegedly to detect and prevent Rohingya from obtaining Bangladeshi National Identity (NID) cards and passports.
However, Rohingya leaders and human rights advocates fear this agreement will be used to criminalize refugees, increase arbitrary arrests, and accelerate forced repatriation.
Government Justifies Move as a Security Measure
Bangladesh’s Election Commission and intelligence agencies defend the agreement as a necessary measure to prevent Rohingya from obtaining citizenship documents through corruption and fraud. A senior EC official stated:
“We are simply ensuring that non-citizens do not obtain Bangladeshi passports and other benefits meant for citizens. This is a matter of national security.”
Government officials claim that some Rohingya refugees, with the help of corrupt officials and brokers, have obtained Bangladeshi NID cards, allowing them to travel abroad illegally. The agreement will allow authorities to track and take legal action against those identified.
Rohingya Community Condemns Agreement as a Betrayal
However, Rohingya refugees see this move as a violation of their privacy and a betrayal by UNHCR, which originally collected their biometric data for humanitarian purposes, not for security enforcement.
A respected Rohingya elder in Cox’s Bazar told Rohingya Khobor:
“We gave our biometric data to UNHCR to receive aid and protection. Now, they are handing it over to intelligence agencies who may use it against us. This is a clear betrayal.”
A Rohingya youth activist also expressed deep concerns about the potential misuse of data, stating:
“If the UNHCR and Bangladesh share this sensitive information without consulting the Rohingya community, it will break the trust between refugees and humanitarian agencies. Refugees are already vulnerable—this will only make them more unsafe.”
Many Rohingya fear that once their biometric data is shared with the Bangladeshi government, they could face mass arrests, harassment, and possibly forced deportation to Myanmar, where their lives remain at risk.
Human Rights Groups Warn of Legal and Ethical Violations
International human rights organizations have condemned the agreement, warning that refugee biometric data should never be used for law enforcement or national security operations.
They argue that this violates UNHCR’s global policy on data protection, which states that biometric data should be used solely for humanitarian assistance.
A Bangladeshi human rights lawyer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Rohingya Khobor:
“This agreement sets a dangerous precedent. It violates international refugee protections and data privacy laws. The Rohingya are stateless, and now they risk being criminalized further.”
A representative from an international refugee rights organization warned:
“If this agreement is fully implemented, it could lead to widespread discrimination, digital surveillance, and even mass deportations under the guise of law enforcement.”
Rohingya Leaders Demand Immediate Dialogue
With growing fears of persecution, Rohingya community leaders are calling for an immediate discussion with UNHCR and the Bangladesh government to ensure that refugee rights and data privacy are protected.
A Rohingya youth leader in Kutupalong Camp told Rohingya Khobor:
“We demand that no agreement is signed or implemented without consultation with the Rohingya community. We have the right to know how our data will be used and to reject any misuse of it.”
As tensions continue to rise, international observers are closely monitoring the situation. If the UNHCR proceeds with the agreement without proper safeguards, it could lead to severe humanitarian consequences for the already persecuted Rohingya population.
