Rohingya refugees rally in Bangladesh camps to demand safe return to Myanmar

COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar's Rakhine state gathered in Bangladesh on Tuesday to demand their safe return to their homeland, nine years after fleeing a government crackdown. The demonstrators called for the international community to ensure security in Rakhine state, marking what they call the "Ninth Anniversary of Rohingya Genocide Day."

Bangladesh hosts over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in makeshift camps, mostly fleeing a mass exodus in 2017 following a government crackdown in Rakhine. Despite two previous attempts at repatriation, none of the refugees agreed to return, citing security concerns. Bangladesh maintains it will not force anyone to return.

Diplomatic missions of 15 countries and the European Union in Bangladesh joined the rally, calling for sustained international support for the Rohingya. They expressed concern over escalating conflict in Rakhine, warning that humanitarian needs and restrictions on aid and trade are worsening the crisis and driving more displacement into Bangladesh and across the region.

The International Court of Justice is currently hearing a case accusing Myanmar of genocide against the Rohingya in Rakhine state in 2017. Myanmar claims its military campaign was a legitimate counter-terrorism operation and not genocide. Rohingya refugee leader Sayed Ullah stated that the situation in Rakhine will not become safe as long as the Arakan Army and Myanmar military continue their conflicting actions, and that the refugees cannot stay in Bangladesh for another 50 years.