City
Epaper

Bangladesh started fencing Rohingya camps

By IANS | Updated: November 25, 2019 07:35 IST

Bangladesh authorities said on Sunday they have started the process of erecting barbed wire fence near Rohingya camps in the country's Cox's Bazar district, a move that has already been criticized by the rights group.

Open in App

Bangladesh Army chief General Aziz Ahmed told reporters at a program in the area: "Our preparation is on full swing. In one camp some pillars have already been erected.

"The pillars are being constructed at the cantonment. We are taking it from there to erect."

Ahmed said the demand for buying wire for erecting the fence had been placed and it would take some time for the process to be completed, the Efe news reported.

He also revealed the government has sanctioned the construction of a 287km road along the Myanmar and Indian border.

"This (the construction of road) is now at the planning stage. Very soon we will appoint contractor," he said.

Bangladesh announced the plan to install barbed wire fences around the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar as the authorities were aiming to prevent Rohingyas spread across the country.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told reporters in Dhaka on September 26 that they would soon install barbed wire fences around the camps "as per the directive of the prime minister to maintain law and order in the camps and ensure safety and security".

New York-based rights group Human Rights Watch criticized the move, saying that violate refugees' rights to freedom of movement.

"While the authorities have a duty to protect camp residents, security measures should not infringe upon basic rights and humanitarian needs," it said in a statement on September 30.

"The proposed measures do not meet the standards of necessity and proportionality for restricting free movement under international human rights law."

Nearly 7,45,000 Rohingya refugees have been living in Bangladeshi camps since August 2017, following a wave of persecution and violence in Myanmar that the UN has described as ethnic cleansing and genocide.

Myanmar does not use the term Rohingya and also does not recognize the group as citizens, arguing they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: bangladeshAziz AhmedAsaduzzaman Khanarmy
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalKhaleda Zia, Bangladesh's 3-Time Prime Minister, Dies At 80 After Prolonged Illness In Dhaka

OpinionsConspiracy in Bangladesh Against India

InternationalOsman Hadi Funeral Today: Heavy Security in Dhaka as Supporters Gather at Manik Mia Avenue

InternationalWhy Did Death of Sharif Osman Hadi Trigger Anti-India Protests Across Bangladesh?

NationalGujarat: Inter-State Human Trafficking Racket Busted in Bharuch, 12 Bangladeshi Women Rescued; Four Arrested

International Realted Stories

InternationalDesperate Pakistan attempts to amplify EAM's Dhaka handshake, pitches for talks to prevent any 'escalation'

InternationalTimes Square Ball Drop 2026 Live Streaming: Where and How to Watch NYC New Year’s Eve Celebration

InternationalTaiwan detects 3 Chinese sorties, 17 vessels, 8 ships

International"Save the country from this journey into darkness": Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina urges unity in New Year message

InternationalNew Year resolution is peace on earth, says Trump