findings VI: rohingya reflections on movement restrictions 75 Feelings Related to Freedom of Movement Rohingya respondents expressed a number of feelings and reactions experienced as a result of the restrictions on movement imposed by camp authorities. When survey respondents were asked if restrictions on movement negatively impacted how they felt emotionally, 94 percent reported that the restrictions negatively impacted them ‘quite a bit’ or ‘extremely.’ Feelings of overwhelming stress, pressure, sadness, depression, and hopelessness were expressed frequently. Many respondents reported feeling like they were trapped or imprisoned in the refugee camps with no escape or alternative. In fact, multiple respondents reported feeling like it would be better to die than continue to live in an environment of such extreme restriction and persecution. “We are stuck in a situation like hell,” said a Rohingya man, Amin. “We don’t have any income source to support our families; we think it’s better to die than stay alive in this situation.” 142 Fatima, a 35-year-old Rohingya woman, shared a similar sentiment: “They said that these restrictions are in place because we are provided with rations and we don’t need to move [outside “we think it’s better to die than stay alive in this situation.” the camps] or make money for ourselves. I think the purpose of the restrictions is to force us to commit suicide and die here.” 143 Others shared that they have no one to express these feelings to, and that outsiders do not understand how dire their situations truly are. Many respondents expressed a chronic fear and anxiety of impending violence and persecution at the “I think the purpose of the restrictions is to force us to commit suicide and die here.” hands of APBn when needing to travel to meet basic needs. Dignity and Dehumanisation Rohingya respondents frequently shared feelings of humiliation and dehumanisation due to restrictions. Although not explicitly asked about dehumanisation, respondents often expressed feeling like they were treated like animals, often due to their basic human rights being violated. Some respondents shared the perspective that Bangladesh authorities and police did not view them as human beings, while many shared stories of abuse and humiliation by the local Bangladesh host community. “[The police] have started treating us as if we are not human beings, but dogs,” said Sabina, a 30-yearold Rohingya woman. “They always try to strike us with sticks. We feel very insecure because of them. We feel like we need to live like dogs in front of the Bangladeshi citizens. We can’t even look up.” 144 142 143 144 Interview C16M Interview C10F Interview C26F