Burma Human Rights Network’s report: “We also have dreams” Robberies were listed as a common occurrence by several refugees interviewed by BHRN. Many expressed concern with the frequency it occurred, while others seemed to think of it as a fact of life they had to live with. Whether refugees were alarmed by the number of robberies in the camps or felt they had to accept them, it shows a worrying increase and normalization of crime that preys on the most vulnerable in the camps. Women were described as a frequent target and little seems to be done to offer better security for them to live their day-to-day lives without fear. A thirty-year-old woman told BHRN, “Even a gas cylinder was stolen from our block yesterday morning. There is a person, his name is Ibrahim (name changed), whose shelter is close to mine. Last night, so many things and gas cylinders were stolen by cutting the plastic walls. When his wife reported to the CIC about the robbery, she was told that the Camp-In-Charge people could not do anything. He has about 8 daughters, he doesn’t have any money at all. Once, two thousand takas were snatched from me. I was working for TDH (Swiss NGO) before, as TDH is closed. One day, when I was returning from receiving my salary, a young man was asking me to go to his shelter, asking for money. So, I replied that I didn’t have any money, and where could I get money to give him. He said that I was coming back from receiving my salary. He was about to harass me by saying he would take me if I didn't give him money. So, I gave him money. He was trying to snatch my handbag. He was saying to give him the bag or go to his home with him. I escaped by giving him two thousand takas.” Refugees at a market in camp 4 www.bhrn.org.uk 25