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5 years ago

UN urges govt to investigate alleged killing of Rohingyas at camps

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UN human rights experts on Monday urged the government to look into the alleged killing of Rohingya refugees at their camps in Cox’s Bazar.

The experts also expressed their deep concerns over the recent restrictions imposed by the government and increased military presence at the refugee camps after a massive “Genocide Day” protest held last month.

“We urge the Bangladeshi Government to carry out an independent, impartial and effective investigation into all deaths that have occurred with regards to this case,” said the experts.

They added that some 200,000 refugees gathered for the so-called “Genocide Day” rally in Cox’s Bazar to mark the second anniversary of their exodus from Myanmar. They asked for Myanmar citizenship and other rights and guarantees before they agree to return.

As consequence of organising the rally at Cox’s Bazar on August 25, some of the organisers were questioned and subjected to intimidation, said the experts.

 They also added that a curfew is now being strictly enforced in those camps, and mobile phones have been banned and confiscated.

Besides, some NGOs have been asked to suspend their activities in the camps allegedly for helping in organising the protest and attempting to persuade refugees not to return to Myanmar.

“We are alarmed by the sudden crackdown of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and are seriously concerned, not only that these restrictions have been applied in a discriminatory manner against members of the Rohingya minority, who are refugees in Bangladesh, but also that curfews and communications shutdowns could facilitate further serious human rights abuses against them,” the experts said.

Bangladeshi police allegedly killed four Rohingya men and arrested at least one in response to killing of a young Bangladeshi man on August 22, the statement read.

“The search for justice for the young Bangladeshi man killed on August 22 is of the utmost importance, but it is equally necessary to ensure that the presumption of innocence is upheld and that reactionary, summary and ad hoc justice is not doled out solely to placate the legitimate concerns of the host community,” the experts said.

The UN experts are--Mr. Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, special rapporteur on the Rights to Peaceful Assembly and of Association; Mr. Michel Forst, special rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders; Mr. Felipe González Morales, special rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants; Ms Agnes Callamard, special rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions; Mr. Fernand de Varennes, special rapporteur on Minority Issues; Mr. David Kaye, special rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression.

 

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