On April 28, 2021, the Bangladesh authorities sent another 30 Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char after rescuing them at sea instead of reuniting them with their families in Cox’s Bazar. Relocation from Cox’s Bazar After bringing the first group of refugees who had been rescued at sea to Bhasan Char, the Bangladesh government began mass relocations of refugees from the camps in Cox’s Bazar to the island. Since December 2020, thousands of other refugees have been transferred to Bhasan Char from the camps in Cox’s Bazar. The Bangladesh government informed Human Rights Watch that it had “ensured adequate supply of food along with proper sanitation and medical facilities for Rohingyas on Bhasan Char.” The government also told Human Rights Watch: [T]he relocation was preceded by adequate preparations and consultations with stakeholders. Several rounds of discussions, based on the queries of the United Nations, were also arranged and we hope that the international community and the United Nations, as per its mandate, will be involved in the process soon. In a statement on December 2, the United Nations, however, had said that it had not been involved and that “any relocations to Bhasan Char should be preceded by comprehensive technical protection assessments,” reiterating that the UN stood ready to proceed with such assessments “if permitted by the Government.” The UN also said that the government should respect commitments to ensure any relocation is voluntary. Though the government has said that all relocations have been based on informed consent, some of the refugees told Human Rights Watch that they had not willingly volunteered. Some refugees even fled the Cox’s Bazar camps out of fear of forced relocation. Kobir, 53, who went into hiding, told us: “AN ISLAND JAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA” 6