Ukhiya, Aug 26 (V7N) — On August 25, 2025, Rohingya refugees living in camps across Ukhiya observed the eighth anniversary of their displacement from Myanmar’s Rakhine State by holding a series of peaceful rallies. Organized at four separate Rohingya camps, the largest gathering took place at Kutupalong, where men, women, and children joined with banners, placards, and slogans demanding repatriation and the restoration of their citizenship.

The rallies began around 10:00 a.m. and concluded by early afternoon without any disturbances. Authorities confirmed heightened security in and around the camps to ensure order.

The demonstrations mark eight years since August 25, 2017, when the Myanmar military launched a brutal crackdown in Rakhine State, forcing over 700,000 Rohingya to flee into Bangladesh. Since then, the number of refugees has grown to over 1.2 million, residing in makeshift shelters across Ukhiya and Teknaf.

Despite multiple repatriation talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar, not a single Rohingya refugee has been returned to date. The community remains in legal limbo, with no citizenship or recognition from the Myanmar government.

Speaking at the rally, Rohingya camp leader Badarul Islam said, “We are not citizens of Bangladesh. Our roots are in Myanmar, but we were driven out through violence. We’ve been saying for years—we want to go back to our homeland with our full rights as citizens.”

Jameela Begum, a Rohingya woman attending the rally, added, “We had homes, land, and family in Rakhine. We lost everything. Now we’re raising children in cramped shelters. This is no life. We want to return with dignity.”

Community leaders also recalled the contribution and tragic assassination of prominent Rohingya rights advocate Master Muhibullah, who was gunned down in 2021. “Muhibullah gave his life to make the world hear our voices. We don’t want more violence in the camps. Everyone must work together to keep peace,” a speaker said.

Participants at the rallies expressed gratitude to the Bangladesh government and international humanitarian organizations for their continued support but appealed for stronger global action. “We are thankful, but we want one thing above all—to go home with our rights as citizens,” said another speaker.

The Armed Police Battalion (APBn), which oversees security in the camps, confirmed the peaceful nature of the events. “A peaceful rally took place today across multiple camps. There were no security breaches or untoward incidents,” said Additional DIG Md. Siraj Amin, commander of the 14 APBn.

The mass gathering underscores growing frustration among the Rohingya, who continue to live in limbo—stateless, displaced, and uncertain of their future despite eight years in exile.

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