Burma Human Rights Network’s report: “We also have dreams” Disappearances in the camps were listed as a common problem by many, though few gave many specifics about this. There was frequently a reluctance to speak about certain topics for fear of retribution. Reports of missing children¹⁰ and disappearances of individuals involved in feuding gangs and militant groups¹¹ have been frequent in recent years. The issue of gender-based violence came up frequently in conversations BHRN had with refugees and the topic is covered in greater detail further in this report. Like many of the issues covered by this report, many refugees believed that the lack of freedoms in the camp contributed to the increase in violence they witnessed. With no freedom of movement, work opportunities, or hope on the horizon many resorted to crime, and those that didn’t were left with a sense of helplessness, anger, and depression. There have also been reports of people forced into criminal activity after threats of kidnapping, mistreatment, or murder by criminal gangs. Criminal activity inside the camps was considered a problem by most of the refugees interviewed by BHRN. BHRN used the vague term “criminal activity” and allowed those interviewed to explain what kinds of activity they felt were the greatest issues for them. Robbery, violence against women, kidnapping, drug trafficking, arson, and general violence were all listed as major concerns. In some areas, refugees said they felt protected by local leaders and ‘sentinels’ appointed by their local leaders. Elsewhere people felt completely alone and vulnerable with little or no help from police or camp authorities. A 28-year-old man told BHRN in regard to criminal activity in the camps, “Yes, [criminal activity] is a very big problem here as we experienced it. There was a war between gangs in Kutupalong. As a result of that, we lost many things in Balukali. Currently, we don’t see any such criminal activities in camp levels, and we also hope that those activities won’t occur in the future.” 10 - Ferguson, S. (2020, January 14). UNICEF USA Brandvoice: Children are disappearing In Bangladesh. Forbes. Retrieved September 24, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/unicefusa/ 2020/01/14/children-are-disappearing-in-bangladesh/?sh=7076f2536810. 11- BenarNews (2020, November 21). Bangladesh moves to CONTROL outbreak of gang violence at Rohingya Camps. Radio Free Asia. Retrieved September 24, 2021, from https://www.rfa.org/english/ news/myanmar/bangladesh-rohingya-10072020202201.html. www.bhrn.org.uk 23