taka and were promised that they would give 10,000 taka more in two instalments, but now there is no sign of it.” 109 Some refugees said that they had volunteered to go to Bhasan Char because they were misled by the majhis and CiC volunteers that there would be livelihood opportunities, such as fishing or farming, that they would have better access to health facilities, and that their children would get an education. One refugee on the island, Anjul, 40, said: They trapped us with promises of good food and plenty of livelihood opportunities, like tending livestock or fishing. Most importantly, when we boarded the bus they gave us 5,000 taka each, promising that we would be given 5,000 taka each month. But after arriving, there are no such opportunities, and now we are facing a food shortage. 110 He said that when they left for Bhasan Char, some officials falsely assured the refugees that they would be able to travel freely between the island and mainland, but that is not happening. “My older parents are in the camps. I would at least want to attend their funeral,” he said. “But even that will not be possible as long as I am held here.” 111 For those refugees in Cox’s Bazar who have family on Bhasan Char that were brought there after being rescued at sea, authorities insist that the way to reunify families is for them shift to the island. Taslima, who is living in Cox’s Bazar but whose 13-year-old son is on Bhasan Char after being rescued in May 2020, said: My son has been confined on Bhasan Char for one year. He is not even an adult. My son keeps asking the navy officials to send him back to the camps, but every time he is given false promises. I also contacted the CiC here in the camp to get my son back but they said the only way I can meet my son is if I relocate to Bhasan Char. But my son keeps telling me not to go over there because it is like a jail. 112 109 Human Rights Watch interview with Fatema, Bhasan Char, Bangladesh, February 21, 2021. 110 Human Rights Watch interview with Anjul, Bhasan Char, Bangladesh, March 20, 2021. 111 Ibid. 112 Human Rights Watch interview with Taslima, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, February 18, 2021. 35 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | JUNE 2021