Ukhiya, Jan 05 (V7N) — Rohingya refugees living in several camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, marked Myanmar’s 77th Independence Day on Saturday, renewing their call for citizenship, justice and safe repatriation to their homeland.

The observances were held on January 4 at multiple locations, including the Lambasia Rohingya camp, where the United Council of Rohingya (UCR) organized a large gathering. Refugees joined the event carrying colorful posters and banners, reflecting both remembrance and protest. Participants discussed the long history of persecution faced by the Rohingya community, their prolonged statelessness, the stalled repatriation process, and the realities of living in Bangladesh for years as refugees.

Addressing the gathering, UCR President Master Syedullah said Myanmar’s independence had never translated into freedom for the Rohingya people. He stated that despite Myanmar gaining independence decades ago, Rohingyas were stripped of citizenship, denied security and deprived of the right to return to their homes, leaving them stateless even after 77 years of independence.

A separate rally was held at Camp 9 under the banner of the Rohingya Committee for Peace and Repatriation, presided over by its chairman Dil Mohammad. He stressed the need to intensify diplomatic pressure on Myanmar, saying that without active engagement by the United Nations, ASEAN and influential global powers, the repatriation of Rohingya refugees would remain impossible.

Rohingya Islamic scholar Maulana Abdur Rahim expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for providing shelter on humanitarian grounds, describing the country as a global example of compassion. However, he emphasized that the Rohingya crisis was not Bangladesh’s burden alone and warned that the situation would worsen if the international community failed to take responsibility.

Speakers at the gatherings recalled Myanmar’s independence from British colonial rule on January 4, 1948, while also highlighting the atrocities committed against the Rohingya population. They referred to mass killings, persecution and serious human rights violations carried out during military operations in 2017 and renewed violence involving Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army in 2024.

UCR leaders said the organization has been working consistently to secure the legitimate rights of the Rohingya people and to facilitate their return to their ancestral homeland. They urged the international community to recognize Rohingya citizenship and to take effective and sustainable steps to ensure a safe and dignified repatriation process.

Participants reiterated their desire to return to Arakan, stating that they no longer wished to live as refugees. Thousands of Rohingyas from camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf took part in the events, including community leaders, camp elders, teachers, students and ordinary refugees, reflecting the collective demand for justice, citizenship and a permanent solution to the crisis.

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