Some refugees even attempted to escape upon realizing the living conditions on Bhasan
Char were inadequate. Those discovered making the attempt were detained and beaten by
security forces, undermining Bangladesh’s insistence that relocations are voluntary. In
fact, when Human Rights Watch reported on the detentions, the officer-in-charge of
Bhasan Char police station, Mahe Alam, denied the allegations of torture but
acknowledged that the refugees are not allowed to leave: “It’s a false allegation.
Sometimes some Rohingyas try to leave and we take them back to the camp. No one was
detained for that,” he said. 100
Witnesses said that those caught escaping were held, verbally abused for being
“ungrateful,” and beaten with rubber sticks in the newly built police station on the island.
According to one witness, during the interrogation a police officer said, “Tell your
Rohingyas that if they are thinking of escape, their fate will be same.” 101
After the first group of refugees was rounded up to relocate to Bhasan Char in early
December 2020, Human Rights Watch spoke with members of 12 families in the group who
said they had not volunteered to relocate. Some refugees on the list went into hiding out of
fear of forced relocation. Kobir, 53, whose name was on the list, said:
I did not put my name on that list. I only learned I was on the list after the
Camp-in-Charge called me to his office and told me. After that, I fled from
my shelter. I am hearing now that the CiC volunteers and majhis are looking
for me and my family. I am afraid that if they find me, they will force me
to go. 102
Others said they were threatened. Sayed Amin, 35, said, “My name appeared on the list so
now the CiC has threatened me, saying that since my name is there, I must go. He said,
even if I die, they will take my body there [to Bhasan Char]. I don’t want to go to
that island.” 103
100 “Rohingyas tortured for trying to flee Bangladesh island, HRW says,” La Prensa Latina, April 27, 2021,
https://www.laprensalatina.com/rohingyas-tortured-for-trying-to-flee-bangladesh-island-hrw-says/ (accessed April 27,
2021).
101 Human Rights Watch interview with Harun, Bhasan Char, Bangladesh, April 12, 2021.
102 Human Rights Watch interview with Kobir, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh,
November 30, 2020.
103 Human Rights Watch interview with Sayed Amin, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, November 30, 2020.
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HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | JUNE 2021