After Killing, Bangladesh Launches Crackdown in Rohingya Camps

THE I DIPLOMAT

By Sebastian Strangio
October 14, 2021

Bangladeshi police have made nearly 40 arrests, including five in connection with last month’s murder of a prominent Rohingya advocate.

Police in Bangladesh police have arrested nearly 40 refugees at the crowded refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar after the killing of a well-known Rohingya community leader last month. According to a report by Benarnews that cited local officials, the Bangladeshi police have undertaken a blitz against criminal activities in the camps, and arrested many suspected of involvement with illegal weapons and drugs.

“Police so far arrested 38 Rohingya from different refugee camps since the murder of Muhib Ullah,” Rafiqul Islam, an additional police superintendent in Cox’s Bazar, told BenarNews on Tuesday. “Law enforcers are continuing the drives to reduce any offenses or illegal activities in refugee camps.”

According to the officials, five of the suspects were arrested in connection with the recent killing of Mohib Ullah, the head of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH), who was reportedly shot and killed by unidentified gunmen outside his office at the Kutupalong refugee camp on September 29.

Bangladesh promises that killers of prominent Rohingya activist will be brought to justice

Morning Star
Oct'13 2021

BANGLADESH promised “stern action” against those responsible for the assassination of a Rohingya Muslim leader who was shot dead in a refugee camp on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen vowed today to bring the killers of 46-year-old Mohib Ullah, who was gunned down in the Kutupalong camp in Cox’s Bazar, to justice.

As drugs and arms pour in, Rohingya camps see a rise in crimes

bdnews24.com
Golam Mortuja and Sankar Barua Rumi,
Published: 13 Oct 2021

As the sun sets on Bangladesh's south coast, a sense of foreboding fills the air as the dark underbelly of the Rohingya refugee settlements gradually comes to the fore.

 

 

Men with arms and weapons, that had hitherto been stowed away, begin to emerge from the shadows, while drugs are used in plain view.

The inhabitants are accustomed to such scenes and even a murder would do little to unsettle them.

The killing of Mohammad Mohib Ullah, a prominent community leader who campaigned for the Rohingya's safe repatriation, however, brought the issue of security and crimes in the camps into sharp focus both at home and abroad.

A group of unidentified gunmen killed him at Lombashiya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya on Sept 28.

Bangladesh Cracks Down on Crime at Rohingya Camps, Nets Dozens of Suspects

Radio Free Asia - RFA

2021-10-12

Police launched the operation after the killing of refugee leader Muhib Ullah last month.

Bangladesh foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen (center) listens to a relative of slain Rohingya leader Muhib Ullah during a visit to the crime scene at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia, Cox's Bazar, Oct. 9, 2021.

Courtesy Armed Police Battalion, Cox's Bazar

Bangladesh police have arrested nearly 40 refugees, including many suspected of involvement with illegal weapons and drugs, since they launched a crackdown against criminality at Rohingya camps after community leader Muhib Ullah was slain last month, an official said Tuesday.

Among the dozens of Rohingya refugees taken into custody as part of the crackdown, five are suspected of being linked directly to the Sept. 29 killing of Ullah, a prominent Rohingya activist, at his office in the Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar district, according to the authorities.

UN, Bangladesh sign deal to aid Rohingya relocated to island

Aljazeera
11 Oct 2021

Authorities said another 81,000 refugees would be relocated to the remote Bhasan Char island over next three months. 

Rohingya refugees prepare to board a ship as they move to Bhasan Char island, near Chattogram, Bangladesh [File: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters]

 

The United Nations and Bangladesh’s government have signed an agreement to work together to help Rohingya refugees on an island in the Bay of Bengal where thousands have been relocated from crammed camps near the Myanmar border.

More than 19,000 Rohingya have already been moved to Bhasan Char island by the government, and the UN said one of the key reasons to sign the agreement was to start serving that population. 

EU Parliament Voices Support for Myanmar’s Opposition Government

THE I DIPLOMAT

By Sebastian Strangio
October 11, 2021

Despite the motion, Western support for the National Unity Government is likely to remain informal and unofficial.

The European Parliament has voted to support Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and its parliamentary committee as the legitimate representatives of crisis-hit Myanmar.

In a resolution adopted late last week, the European Parliament expressed its “support for the people of Myanmar in their struggle for democracy, freedom, and human rights.” It said that it “supports the CRPH [Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw] and the NUG as the only legitimate representatives of the democratic wishes of the people of Myanmar” and called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other foreign governments “to include and involve them in genuine and inclusive political dialogue and efforts aimed at the peaceful resolution of the crisis.”

Myanmar has been in a state of severe crisis since the coup, which immediately prompted a nationwide movement of protests and work stoppages, which have been complemented in recent months by growing armed resistance.

Bangladesh arrests 16 Rohingya refugees in anti-militant crackdown

Eastern Eye
By: Chandrashekar Bhat
Chandrashekar
11 October, 2021

Members of the Armed Police Battalion stand guard near the office of slain Rohingya leader Mohib Ullah, who was shoot dead by gunmen last month, at Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia on October 6, 2021. (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

BANGLADESH police arrested at least 16 Rohingya refugees in a series of raids on camps in Dhaka after the murder of a top leader of their community last week, officials said on Sunday (10).

Rights advocate Mohib Ullah was gunned down 10 days ago by unidentified assailants outside his office at Kutupalong, the world’s largest refugee settlement in Bangladesh’s southeast.

His family and fellow community leaders have blamed the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) – a militant outfit behind a series of attacks on Myanmar security posts – saying his growing popularity had enraged the group. ARSA has denied any involvement in the murder.

ASEAN may exclude Myanmar junta chief from upcoming summit

THE SCOOP

Ain Bandial

October 6, 2021 

With little progress on an agreed roadmap to restore peace, ASEAN's special envoy says Myanmar's inaction is "tantamount to backtracking" 

FILE PHOTO: Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs, YB Dato Erywan Yusof, speaks during a press conference in Bandar Seri Begawan on Aug 7, 2021 following the wrap-up of the ASEAN Regional Forum. Photo: Rasidah Hj Abu Bakar/The Scoop

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Southeast Asian countries are in talks to bar the head of Myanmar’s junta from the ASEAN summit later this month, due to a lack of progress on an agreed roadmap to restore peace in the strife-torn country.

The junta’s inaction on a five-point plan reached with ASEAN last April was “tantamount to backtracking”, YB Dato Erywan Yusof, the bloc’s special envoy to Myanmar, told a news conference Wednesday.

ASEAN could bar Myanmar general from leaders’ summit

Aljazeera
7 Oct 2021

Regional envoy says the military has made ‘no progress’ on the peace plan agreed in April, as Malaysia says it could open dialogue with shadow administration.

ASEAN invited Myanmar's armed forces chief to a summit in Jakarta in April - at which a so-called consensus towards peace was agreed, but the group's special envoy says 'no progress' has been made since [File: Courtesy of Rusman/Indonesian Presidential Palace/Handout via Reuters] 

 

 

Countries from Southeast Asia are discussing not inviting the head of Myanmar’s military regime to their leaders’ summit later this month, after the generals failed to make progress on an agreed road map to restore peace after their February coup plunged the country into chaos, a regional envoy has said.

Bangladesh: Who killed Rohingya leader Mohibullah?

DW
Date 05.10.2021
Author Arafatul Islam

The murder of a top Rohingya leader in his office has international leaders calling for an investigation and has stoked anger within Bangladesh's Rohingya refugee communities.

Some have blamed the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army for Mohibullah's death

Mohibullah, a high-profile figurehead for the Rohingya who have fled Myanmar, was killed by unidentified gunmen last week in an event that has left investigators looking for a culprit.

Mohibullah was shot last Wednesday, September 29, in one of the sprawling camps in the coastal Bangladeshi city of Cox's Bazar. The leader left for Bangladesh when over 730,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar after a military crackdown in August 2017, in the largest Rohingya exodus to date.

Rohingya refugees fear for lives after leader's murder in Bangladesh camp

UCA news

Stephan Uttom, Dhaka
Published: October 06, 2021
Rights group calls for urgent measures to protect Rohingya activists and refuge

Human Rights Watch and the Catholic Church have called for the protection of Rohingya refugees and activists in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. (Photo: Stephan Uttom/UCA News)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Bangladeshi authorities and the United Nations to take urgent measures to protect Rohingya refugees and activists facing threats and violence inside refugee camps.

Many have been scared for their lives since unidentified gunmen shot and killed Mohib Ullah, 46, chair of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH), in Kutupalong camp in Cox’s Bazar on Sept. 29.

More U.S. Aid for the Rohingya Refugee Crisis

VOA
EDITORIALS POLICY FOUCUS
October 6th'2021

The United States will contribute nearly $180 million in additional assistance for the humanitarian crisis facing Rohingya in and outside of Burma, and affected host communities in neighboring Bangladesh.

Link : Here

Bangladesh urges UN again to resolve Rohingya crisis

rising bd.com
Dhaka,
Chhabed Sathee, Staff Reporter, USA || risingbd.com
Published: 5 October 2021

Ambassador Rabab Fatima

Ambassador Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, said, “The international community and regional countries must continue their efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis. Creating conducive environment in the Rakhine State and ensuring accountability for the horrendous crimes committed against them are critical in this regard.”

Ambassador Rabab Fatima said this while delivering her statement at the 3rd committee general debate held at the UN headquarters on Monday (October 4).

ASEAN ‘disappointed’ with Myanmar military’s peace commitment

Aljazeera
4 Oct 2021

Indonesia FM says country’s military rulers have made no significant progress in implementing the group’s peace road map.

The military leader has pledged to hold fresh elections in two years and cooperate with ASEAN on finding a political solution. [Reuters]

Myanmar’s military has made no significant progress in implementing a Southeast Asian roadmap for peace following their coup or given any feedback on the work of a regional envoy in the country, Indonesia’s foreign minister has said.

Bangladesh arrests five over the killing of Rohingya activist

Aljazeera
3 Oct 2021

Mohibullah was a high-profile figurehead for the nearly one million-strong Muslim minority based in Bangladesh [File: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters]

Five Rohingya men have been arrested in connection with the killing of a prominent community leader in a refugee camp in Bangladesh, according to the police, adding that they were probing links to an armed group.

Mohibullah – a high-profile figurehead for the nearly one million-strong Muslim minority in Bangladesh – was killed by gunmen late on Wednesday in one of the sprawling camps in Cox’s Bazar district.

PM Hasina: UNGA discussion will help continue international pressure for Rohingya repatriation

Dhaka Tribune

BSS
October 4th, 2021

She hopes Bangladesh delegation's participation in the session would strengthen Dhaka's position in the multilateral forum

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said international pressure on Myanmar would continue for a permanent solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis as the issue was widely discussed in the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session.

She said: "The issue of the Rohingya crisis and its permanent solution was discussed elaborately in the UNGA session which I believe will help to continue global pressure on Myanmar for bringing back their Rohingya nationals from Bangladesh."

Rohingya leader Mohib Ullah murder: 2 placed on 3-day remand

the independent

UNB, Cox’s Bazar

A Cox’s Bazar court on Sunday placed two people on a three-day remand in a case over the killing Rohingya leader Mohib Ullah.

Cox’s Bazar Senior Judicial Magistrate Tamanna Farah passed the order in the morning.

Those remanded are—Mohamamd Selim alias Lamba Selim and Shawkat Ullah.

Earlier on Saturday, police produced them before the judge with a 7-day remand prayer, said court inspector Chandan Kumar Chakrawarty.

UN Seeks Investigation Into Killing of Rohingya Rights Defender

VOA
Lisa Schlein
October 02, 2021 

FILE - Rohingya activist Mohib Ullah speaks with Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, April 7, 2019. Unidentified gunmen shot and killed Ullah at Kutupalong refugee camp, also in Cox's Bazar, Sept. 29, 2021.

GENEVA —

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is calling on Bangladeshi authorities to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into the killing of Rohingya activist Mohib Ullah while he was visiting a Cox’s Bazaar refugee camp in Bangladesh earlier this week.

Bachelet paid tribute to the prominent human rights defender, who she said spent his life fighting to end decades of discrimination against the Rohingya people. She said Ullah lost his life while seeking to restore his people’s basic rights in Myanmar, including their rights to nationality, land, health, and education.

Arms are coming from Myanmar to destabilise Rohingya camps: minister

bdnews24.com

Senior Correspondent,
Published: 03 Oct 2021 

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan (File Photo)

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said arms are coming into the country from Myanmar in various ways in an attempt to create "instability" in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.


However, he claimed that the law and order situation in the camps is "good enough" and that the killers of Rohingya refugee leader Mohammad Mohib Ullah will be brought to justice "soon".

The home minister's remarks came on Sunday after a meeting at the Secretariat on the security measures surrounding Durga Puja.

Arrests in Rohingya leader death probe

Magnet 

OCTOBER 3 2021 
Nazrul Islam

The search for the killers of Rohingya leader Mohib Ullah continues in Bangladesh.

Police in Bangladesh have arrested three suspects believed to have links to an armed insurgent group among Rohingya refugees, as officials promised justice for the killers of a prominent Rohingya rights activist.

"The killers will certainly be brought to justice. None will be spared," Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said on Saturday, three days after the murder of Mohib Ullah, the head of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH).