Some refugees said that once their names were added to the list to be relocated to Bhasan Char, Bangladesh authorities took away their Smart Cards (UNHCR identity document) so that it would be impossible for them to stay in Cox’s Bazar and access aid. 104 The Smart Cards were returned once the refugees left for Bhasan Char. One refugee, Jummul Hoque, 36, said: I never provided my name for the list. Last Wednesday [March 2021], while I was out of my home for some work, they took away my Smart Card from my wife. Then they said that we have to go to Bhasan Char. Now I'm worrying about how we will get food. 105 Another refugee, Osman, 29, said: They said that my name had appeared in the list, so I must give them my Smart Card. I still don’t know how my name appeared in that list as I had never volunteered. I heard that the CiC ordered every majhi to provide names of residents that would be relocated to Bhasan Char. In my block no one was willing, but now so many of them are in Bhasan Char. 106 Some refugees alleged that the authorities offered misleading information and incentives to move there. One refugee, Habib, said that he put his name on the list because camp leaders told him that those on the list would be given priority to repatriate to Myanmar, and would be given a stipend. 107 Refugees interviewed by Human Rights Watch all said that they were given 5,000 taka (US$60) per person initially and were promised further payments on the island. However, they said that this additional money never materialized. Ali Johar, 37, said, “We were not given any single [additional] taka as promised.” 108 Fatema, 33, said, “We were given 5,000 104 A Smart Card is biometric identity card issued to the refugees by the Bangladesh Ministry of Home Affairs with procedural support from UNHCR. A Smart Card is required to obtain aid and services, and to move freely within the camps. 105 Human Rights Watch interview with Jummul Hoque, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, March 11, 2021. 106 Human Rights Watch interview Osman, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, March 13, 2021. 107 Human Rights Watch interview Habib, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, December 1, 2020. 108 Human Rights Watch interview with Ali Johar, Bhasan Char, Bangladesh, January 13, 2021. “AN ISLAND JAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA” 34

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