and return to their families.” 91 Another delegation member, Azizullah, 55, said the
Bangladesh authorities “entertained [the visitors] with the highest hospitality during the
entire trip, with good food and nice living spaces.” 92 But members said it felt like a show to
make voluntary relocation attractive, when those already on the island had reported illtreatment. “Our people who were there complained to us that they have never been treated
well,” Azizullah said. “Now [after the delegation left] those brothers and sisters are being
treated like they were before.” 93
Visitors corroborated that those on the island were being denied freedom of movement.
“You will not find the ‘jail’ word over there, but everything looks like a jail,” said
Kolimullah, a delegation member. “Most of the refugees held at Bhasan Char said to us
that they weren’t allowed to move freely on the island and most of the time they have to
remain inside shelters that look like jail cells.” 94
91 Human Rights Watch interview with Maymuna, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, September 10, 2020.
92 Human Rights Watch interview with Azizullah, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, September 9, 2020.
93 Ibid.
94 Human Rights Watch interview with Kolimullah, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, September 10, 2020.
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HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | JUNE 2021