JUNE 2021
ISBN: 978-1-62313-911-7
“An Island Jail in the Middle of the Sea”
Bangladesh’s Relocation of Rohingya Refugees to Bhasan Char
Map of Bangladesh/CXB/Bhasan Char .............................................................................. i
Summary ......................................................................................................................... 1
The Rohingya: A History of Suffering..........................................................................................4
Quarantined on Bhasan Char, Separated from Families ............................................................. 5
Relocation from Cox’s Bazar .................................................................................................... 6
Role of the United Nations and Donors ..................................................................................... 9
Methodology .................................................................................................................. 11
I. Bangladesh’s Response to the Rohingya Refugee Crisis .............................................. 13
Crimes against Humanity in Myanmar ..................................................................................... 14
Lack of Support from Regional Governments ........................................................................... 16
Dire Conditions and Abuses in the Cox’s Bazar Camps ............................................................ 18
II. Bangladesh’s Bhasan Char “Solution” ....................................................................... 23
Inadequate Disaster Response Strategy .................................................................................. 25
First Arrivals on Bhasan Char: Boat Rescues Held Captive ...................................................... 28
Desperate Plea to Return During “Go and See” Visit ................................................................ 30
III. Unprepared, Haphazard Relocations to Bhasan Char ................................................. 32
Lack of Free and Informed Consent ......................................................................................... 32
Failed Promises of Education .................................................................................................. 36
Lack of Adequate Health Care ................................................................................................. 38
No Capacity for Emergency Medical Care .......................................................................... 43
Lack of Sexual and Reproductive Health Care ................................................................... 44
Food Shortages ...................................................................................................................... 45
False Promises of Livelihood ................................................................................................... 47
Abuses by Security Forces...................................................................................................... 48