'Permanent infrastructure in shelter camps may encourage more Rohingyas to come to Bangladesh'
Various NGOs and civil society representatives have opposed the construction of permanent infrastructure in the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar. They claim that not a single Rohingya has been repatriated to Myanmar in the last 9 years. Instead, two lakh more Rohingyas have come in the last two years. In this situation, building permanent infrastructure in refugee camps can encourage more Rohingyas to come to Bangladesh.
Officials of various NGOs and civil society representatives said these things at a press conference titled 'Sovereignty of Bangladesh should be established in Cox's Bazar, participation of local government and people in Rohingya relief activities is necessary' at Cox's Bazar Press Club on Monday afternoon. The press conference was organized by 'CSO-NGO Forum' (CCNF), a coalition of more than half a hundred NGOs in Cox's Bazar.
CCNF Co-Chairman Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said in the press conference that it is necessary to ensure strict security at the border for the sake of national security, so that new Rohingyas cannot infiltrate. He said, to prevent Rohingya infiltration, it is necessary to increase the presence of the BGB as well as the army. He also commented that stability will not return to Cox's Bazar if the border is not secure.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury also said that diplomatic pressure should be continued in the ASEAN Forum on the issue of Rohingya repatriation. If necessary, discussions should also be held with the Arakan Army. At the same time, he urged the parliamentarians of Cox's Bazar to strongly present the issues related to Rohingya crisis and national security in the national parliament.
Jahangir Alam, member secretary of CCNF, said that there is no precedent for building permanent infrastructure for refugees anywhere in the world. But permanent infrastructure is being built by cutting mountains in Ukhia. It conveys the message of permanent residence instead of repatriation. As a result, more Rohingyas may be encouraged to come from Myanmar. He said that the plastic-based materials used in the construction of these infrastructures are not environmentally friendly and may create a serious waste crisis in the future.
Non-governmental organization CEHRDF chief executive and environmental activists. Elias Mia said, about eight thousand acres of forest land has been destroyed to set up the Rohingya camp. The environment of Ukhia and Teknaf has been severely damaged. He said that the water level is going down rapidly due to the extraction of excess underground water. As a result of extracting huge amount of water every day, the water in various tube wells of Ukhia-Teknaf has dried up, salt water is rising in some places.
Assistant Director of Coast Foundation. Shahinur Islam said, Bangladesh is a sovereign state. UN agencies should be brought under accountability of district administration and Bangladesh government. He also said that permanent shelters are being constructed in shelters without consultation with the local government, public representatives or political leadership.
Helal Uddin, UP member of Ward No. 9 of Rajapalong Union of Ukhia, said that at least 300 acres of agricultural land of local farmers have been destroyed due to waste from the Rohingya camp. But no effective initiative has been taken to recover these lands. He expressed fear that this may create a new crisis for the livelihood of local residents.
Rabiul Hasan, central representative of Combine Human Rights World, said the Rohingya are being economically empowered through the vendorship program, which could create new crises in the long term. Currently, more than 1.4 million Rohingyas are staying in Cox's Bazar. He commented that the crisis will intensify if the repatriation is prolonged.
