Rohingya refugees demand justice, dignity at Cox’s Bazar protest

Thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh's massive camps protested dire living conditions on Tuesday, commemorating the ninth anniversary of a military crackdown that forced them to flee Myanmar. Over 1.2 million Rohingya seek refuge in around 30 overcrowded camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar, making it the world's largest refugee settlement.

The United Council of Rohingya organized the rally to remember the atrocities committed and highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Sabikunnahar, a 32-year-old refugee who arrived in Bangladesh in 2017, shared her memories of the military's brutal actions. "Beheading our near and dear ones, setting fire to our homes and evicting us from our land – the military occupied our land around nine years ago," she recalled.

"On this day, my heart gets torn apart. Look at my eyes – they are still wet with tears for my country."

Refugee conditions have worsened due to funding cuts and reduced food rations, according to aid agencies. Children represent more than half of the population in these camps. Golam Mostofa, head of charity Save the Children in the camps, emphasized the plight of an entire generation of children growing up in exile. "Yet instead of seeing progress towards safety, rights and a lasting solution, families are facing worsening hunger, fewer opportunities and deepening uncertainty about their future," Mostofa lamented.

Save the Children predicts that one in three refugees will face crisis hunger levels or worse between September and December.