An Agenda for a Dignified and Sustainable Rohingya Refugee Response in Bangladesh The relocations proceeded amidst calls for an independent technical and protection assessment of the island by the United Nations to explore the habitability of the island, access to services and feasibility of humanitarian operations. As the relocations started in December 2020, a UN statement said that refugees ‘…must be able to make a free and informed decision about relocating to Bhasan Char based upon relevant, accurate, and updated information,’ and urged Bangladesh to ‘respect this important commitment.’89 The Government’s view is that such relocation is aimed at reducing overcrowding in the camps and addressing the law-and-order situation. Some NGOs are currently providing limited services on the island in the short-term with support from the Government of Bangladesh and a few donor governments. Concerns have also been raised about the voluntariness of these relocations, with insufficient data and lack of a credible, centralised source of information triggering rumours and misinformation, and the lack of consultations with refugees and humanitarian actors. The decisions of some refugee families may have been driven by the increasing restrictions and security concerns in the camps. According to some human rights organisations, at least some of the relocations may not have been entirely voluntary or with informed consent, evidenced by reports of false promises being made to refugees to secure consent and ill-treatment of those already on the island at the hands of security forces.90 After months of discussions, an 18-member UN team was able to visit the island in March 2021. The mission was facilitated and accompanied by Bangladeshi government officials. While detailed technical assessments were not conducted, the mission looked at the current situation and facilities on Bhasan Char, appraised the needs of the Rohingya refugees relocated there, and held discussions with the authorities and others working there. The mission took a positive view of the conditions and facilities in Bhasan Char and proposed further discussions with the Government of Bangladesh regarding the UN’s operational engagement on the island and the policies concerning the stay and well-being of refugees on the island.91 Following the UN’s visit, representatives of the diplomatic community also visited the island.92 The Government of Bangladesh has welcomed the positive observations made by the UN team following their visit and expects that ten per cent of the funding for the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh is allocated for providing services in Bhasan Char.93 89 United Nations Bangladesh, United Nations Statement on the Relocation of Rohingya Refugees to Bhasan Char, 2 December 2020, available at https://bangladesh.un.org/en/103285-press-statement 90 Human Rights Watch, Bangladesh: Halt Rohingya Relocations to Remote Island, 4 December, 2020, available at https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/03/bangladesh-halt-rohingya-relocations-remote-island. Fortify Rights, Bangladesh: Halt Relocation of Rohingya Refugees to Bhasan Char, 3 December 2020, available at https://www.fortifyrights.org/bgd-inv-2020-12-03/ Human Rights Watch, Bangladesh: Rohingya Refugees Allegedly Tortured, 27 April 2021, available at https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/04/27/bangladesh-rohinyga-refugees-allegedly-tortured 91 UNHCR, Bangladesh Operational Update, March 2021, available at https://data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/86333 92 UNB, Foreign envoys visit Bhasan Char, The Daily Star, 3 April 2021, available at https://www.thedailystar.net/rohingyacrisis/news/foreign-envoys-visit-bhasan-char-2071421 93 UNB, Foreign Minister: Bangladesh to demand 10% of funds for Rohingyas in Bhashan Char, Dhaka Tribune, 16 April 2021, available at https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2021/04/16/foreign-minister-bangladesh-to-demand-10-of-fundsfor-rohingyas-in-bhasan-char 26 Act for Peace / May 2021