Khairul Alam; Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh — Thousands of Rohingya refugees gathered in Cox’s Bazar camps on Monday to mark Rohingya Genocide Day, demanding justice for atrocities committed in Myanmar and urging the international community to ensure their safe repatriation.
The rally took place at the football field of Madhurchhara refugee camp in Ukhiya, where an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 Rohingyas joined in processions, human chains, and demonstrations.
Many carried placards calling for the prosecution of Myanmar’s military leaders responsible for the 2017 crackdown, which forced over 700,000 Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh.
Rohingya leaders at the gathering said their community remains united in seeking repatriation but stressed that the unstable situation in Rakhine State poses a major obstacle.
“We want to return to our homeland with dignity, but without security and justice, repatriation is not possible,” said Rohingya leader Mohammad Zubair.
Another leader, Kamal Hossain, recalled the horrific violence of August 2017. “We saw our families shot, our houses burned, and women assaulted. The scars of genocide are still fresh. We expect the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC) to deliver justice without delay,” he said.
Rohingya participants also held photographs of relatives killed during the military crackdown. Women and children joined the demonstration in significant numbers. The rally concluded with prayers for those who lost their lives in the violence.
According to the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), the day’s programs were observed peacefully. Currently, over 1.4 million registered Rohingya live in 33 camps across Ukhiya and Teknaf, with thousands more unregistered. However, in the past eight years, no successful repatriation has taken place.
Rohingyas continue to call for international support to ensure sustainable and dignified return to their homeland, alongside justice for crimes committed against them.