• Monitor the humanitarian standards for Rohingya refugees for consistency with those enumerated in the SPHERE standards. • • • • • Prioritize human rights and humanitarian concerns regarding the relocation of Rohingya refugees at UN headquarters and in the region in line with the Human Rights Up Front initiative and Secretary-General António Guterres’ Call to Action on Human Rights to ensure that the rights of refugees in Bangladesh are fully protected. It should be a priority focus for both the UN leadership in New York and the UN Country Team. Seek immediate access to the over 300 refugees rescued at sea who have been detained on the island for over a year and respond to their protection and humanitarian needs. Press for those refugees being held involuntarily on Bhasan Char—including over 300 who were rescued at sea—to be returned to the camps in Cox’s Bazar. Ensure that any repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh, in addition to being safe, voluntary, and informed, does not take place until conditions conducive to return in Rakhine State have been established, including freedom of movement for all Rohingya. Do not operate in the transit and repatriation camps in Rakhine State that Myanmar constructed with the apparent intent of confining future Rohingya returnees. To Donor Countries • • • • • Press the Bangladesh government to engage promptly with UN officials on any planned humanitarian operational engagement in Bhasan Char. Increase support to refugee response and protection in Kutupalong-Balukhali camps. Oppose the relocation of Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char and do not fund projects to develop the island as a refugee relocation site until there is an independent assessment of the safety, disaster preparedness, and habitability of Bhasan Char. Insist that any future relocations, subject to technical safety assessment, is only undertaken with informed consent and when the governance structure, facilities, and services are commensurate to refugee needs and humanitarian standards. Establish a comprehensive responsibility-sharing arrangement among the US, EU member states, Canada, and other involved countries to incorporate equitable refugee assistance, protection, and resettlement into the international response to the Rohingya crisis. “AN ISLAND JAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA” 56