Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said that no one is being forced to go to Bhasanchar. He said only those who have voluntarily responded to the call of Bangladesh government are being transferred.
The minister told the media on Thursday (December 3) night in response to the UN's various conditions on Rohingya repatriation in Bhasanchar.
Calling on the UN to be transparent about the Rohingya, the foreign minister said many feared their NGOs' licenses would be revoked if they went to Bhasanchar. Again, some Rohingyas think that their opportunities will be reduced. In fact, nothing like that, much more facilities have been arranged in Bhasanchar. The government is not forcibly taking anyone away. Those who are going are going voluntarily.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the London-based Amnesty International on Thursday called on the Bangladeshi government to halt the relocation of Rohingya refugees from the Cox's Bazaar camp to the remote Bhasanchar.
In a statement, HRW said the relocation of Rohingya refugees to Bhasanchar should be stopped immediately. The Government of Bangladesh should be committed to a transparent transition process. The Rohingya refugees concerned must have informed and full consent in this regard. They must have freedom of movement inside and outside Bhasanchar.
Earlier on Wednesday (December 2), the United Nations said in a statement on the relocation of Rohingya refugees to Bhasanchar that it was aware of some reports from the Bangladesh government that the initial relocation of Rohingya refugees from Cox's Bazaar to Bhasanchar in the Bay of Bengal would begin in the next few days. The United Nations has not been involved in the relocation process, or in the process of identifying refugees. The UN does not have enough information about the overall migration activities.
Out of 11 lakh Rohingyas in 34 camps in Cox's Bazaar, the government took initiative to temporarily send about one lakh Rohingyas to Bhasanchar Island in the Bay of Bengal. Due to this, the construction of housing project has been completed at a cost of around three thousand crore rupees. At the same time, 13 km long flood control embankments and infrastructure of 120 cluster villages suitable for one lakh Rohingyas have been constructed to protect this 40 sq km area from tides and tidal surges. Cyclone shelters, education and necessary medical infrastructure have been constructed. It may be noted that the relocation of Rohingyas has already started on Thursday.