In response, however, Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen stated, “We don’t want any more Rohingya. We don’t have any other place to keep them. If they [other countries] don’t like Bhashan Char, let them take them back to their countries. [Or] else, let them return to Myanmar.” 80 A full year later, the refugees are still being held on the island, despite desperate pleas to be allowed to return to their families in Cox’s Bazar. 81 This group was held separately from others for a year until they were integrated into the other camps in May 2021. The refugees had been stuck at sea for months facing illness, dehydration, and starvation, and were in serious need of emergency medical attention by the time they were finally brought to Bhasan Char. There were also reports that some women and girls had experienced sexual violence and needed urgent support. 82 At the time, Bangladesh authorities and UNHCR staff were repeatedly made aware of these allegations. One woman told Human Rights Watch that some of the refugees being transported to Bhasan Char reported to the navy officers that one of the women in their group had been gang-raped, but the officers threatened them to be quiet. “They threatened to send us to jail or back to the sea if we opened our mouths to anyone about what happened,” one woman said. 83 Currently, there are no psychosocial (mental health) or medical services for survivors of sexual violence available on Bhasan Char. A healthcare worker in Cox’s Bazar explained that “If there were any rape cases or other sexual or gender-based violence [on Bhasan Char], they will not be able to access much needed medical treatment or psychosocial counselling.” 84 The Bangladesh government repeatedly promised to allow UN officials to conduct a mission to the island to ensure appropriate measures were in place to protect the health and safety of the rescued refugees. That did not happen. Instead, this group of refugees was not even allowed to meet with the UN team that was escorted to island in March 2021 80 Ibid. 81 Humanyun Kabir Bhuiyan and Ali Asif Shawon, “Rohingyas Rescued from Sea Sent to Bhasan Char,” Dhaka Tribune, May 2, 2020, https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/rohingya-crisis/2020/05/02/unspecified-number-of-rohingyas-rescued (accessed April 15, 2021). 82 Medecins Sans Frontiers, “Rohingya Refugees Left to Starve at Sea,” April 22, 2020, https://www.msf.org/rohingyarefugees-left-starve-sea (accessed April 15, 2021). 83 Human Rights Watch interview with Sultana, Bhasan Char, Bangladesh, May 17, 2020. 84 Human Rights Watch interview, details withheld, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, May 7, 2020. 29 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | JUNE 2021