Teknaf, Bangladesh – Police authorities in Bangladesh have taken action to halt the dangerous journeys of Rohingya refugees attempting to flee to Indonesia. These efforts come after a surge in arrivals of persecuted Rohingya minorities seeking refuge from the squalid camps they are currently trapped in. Many of these refugees have reportedly paid exorbitant sums, up to $1,000, to human traffickers for a chance to board a boat to Indonesia.
This month, there has been a significant increase in the number of Rohingya refugees making the treacherous 1,800-kilometer (1,120-mile) journey to Aceh province in Indonesia, marking the largest wave of arrivals since the 2017 crackdown on the Rohingya population. On Friday night, police apprehended and detained 58 Rohingya individuals as they were reportedly preparing to board boats at the Teknaf river port, located just across the border from Myanmar. Among the detained were nine men, sixteen women, and thirty-three children. Two Bangladeshi human traffickers who were allegedly guiding them were also captured.
The Rohingya refugees have cited deteriorating security conditions as well as limited opportunities within the camps as major reasons for undertaking these perilous journeys. They hope to find better lives, education, and healthcare in Indonesia, despite the grave risks involved. Some refugees have expressed their despair over the rampant violence and criminal activities in the camps, including extortion, robbery, and abductions. The dire conditions and the insufficient aid distribution have only added to their desperation.
Rabeya, a 19-year-old mother, spoke of her concerns for her family’s safety. Her husband has been kidnapped twice from the camps, with perpetrators demanding large sums of money. The meager monthly ration of 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of rice provided by aid agencies is far from sufficient to sustain her family. Faced with these challenges, Rabeya and others have concluded that their best chance for a better life lies in embarking on these dangerous boat journeys.
The Arakan Project, an organization advocating for Rohingya rights, confirmed that two boats left this week, one on the night of November 20 and the other on November 21. Each boat carried around 200 and 150 people, respectively. According to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, a third boat carrying approximately 200 passengers also departed on Thursday night.
Rohingya refugees who remain in Myanmar face growing obstacles to their freedom of movement. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that nearly 200 Rohingya people lost their lives or went missing last year while attempting perilous sea crossings. The risks involved in these journeys are evident, but Rohingya refugees continue to brave them, compelled by their desperate circumstances and lack of viable alternatives.
The situation calls for urgent action to address the root causes driving the Rohingya population to undertake these dangerous voyages. International organizations, governments, and humanitarian agencies must work together to provide adequate support, protection, and assistance to the Rohingya refugees, both within the camps and in their countries of destination. Only through such collaborative efforts can a safer and more dignified future be ensured for this vulnerable community.
