‘THEY FACE
Rohingya stuck at border as Bangladesh turns them away, despite UN appeal to let them stay
COX’S BAZAR
ROHINGYA Muslims fleeing from fighting in Myanmar to Bangladesh face the growing danger of sickness and attempts by Bangladesh authorities to send them home despite a United Nations appeal that they be allowed to stay.
A series of coordinated attacks by Rohingya insurgents on Myanmar security forces on Friday in Rakhine State has triggered a crackdown by Myanmar forces that has sent Rohingya villagers fleeing to Bangladesh.
It also sparked a mass evacuation of thousands of Buddhist residents from the area.
At least 109 people have been killed in the clashes, including members of security forces and civilians, but most of them militants.
Bangladesh, host to more than 400,000 Rohingya who had fled persecution in Myanmar since the early 1990s, said it would not accept any more.
Its border guards are trying to block Rohingya from crossing over, and aim to round up and send back those who do.
Border guard officials said they had sent back 550 Rohingya since Monday, via the Naf River that separated the two countries, despite an appeal by UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres for Dhaka to allow the Rohingya to seek safety.
An estimated 5,000 Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh over the past few days, most slipping in at night over the land border near the Bangladeshi village of Gumdhum.
An aid worker said many were sick, and at least six had died after crossing into Bangladesh.
The man, who was working for an international agency in Bangladesh and declined to be identified or had his agency identified, said fear of being caught and sent back meant some were refusing to seek help.
“What we are seeing is that many Rohingya people are sick.
“This is because they got stuck at the border before they could enter. They are mostly women and children.
“We are making all-out efforts, but a rapid response is needed. Some are refraining from getting treatment to avoid arrest.”
Aid workers and fellow Rohingya said thousands of Rohingya were stranded in the no-man’s land between the two countries.
The Rohingya are denied citizenship in Myanmar and classified as illegal immigrants, despite claiming roots there that go back centuries. They are marginalised and their communities subjected to communal violence. Reuters