Bangladesh has so far moved about 30,000 Rohingyas to Bhasan Char since December 2020.
However, recently reports have emerged regarding former high-ranking members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) allegedly being relocated to Bhasan Char.
Arsa has been linked to violent attacks against Myanmar's security forces and allegations of atrocities against Rohingyas in other camps.
It has been reported that the former Arsa members relocated to Bhasan Char include three who have murder charges pending against them in relation to the high-profile killing of Mohibullah, a very prominent Rohingya leader in the camps in Cox's Bazar.
Abu Anas, second-in-command of Arsa, standing to the right of its chief Ataullah. He is one of the charge-sheeted accused in the Mohibullah murder case CollectedSome of those relocated to Bhasan Char, and now find themselves residing in close proximity to former Arsa leaders, have expressed concern about their new neighbours.
They have been surprised to see individuals, whom they had only seen in social media posts or heard about in news headlines regarding murders or other criminal activities, casually strolling around and attending the market or mosque.
One of the recent arrivals is reportedly Abu Anas, who had held the second-highest position within Arsa, but who has maintained a very low profile ever since he arrived, according to local accounts.
One Bhasan Char resident revealed that the reason he agreed to come to the island was because he had "experienced non-stop mental torture and nightly threats" from Arsa. The young man further explained: "Arsapeople would call me most nights and threaten to kidnap me. Finally, I reached my breaking point and agreed to come here. They were the ones who put pressure on people to come here."
Another individual is considering lodging a complaint against the former Arsa members' presence on the island due to his family's past mistreatment, which includes alleged incidents of murder, beatings, and extortion. However, he has hesitated because he is unsure how the Bhasan Char administration will respond.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneThe individual, who prefers to remain anonymous, stated: "Yes, Arsa may [or may not] have killed Mohibullah, but I know for a fact that they killed my uncle. How can they be allowed to roam free? The authorities have cut a deal with them, which is why they are here, and so I am afraid of lodging a complaint with them.”
In the years before his murder, Mohibullah was a vocal advocate for Rohingya rights and had represented the community at the United Nations Human Rights Council and had also met with US President Donald Trump at the White House. He was shot dead in September 2021 in his office at Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazar.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his condolences, stating that Mohibullah was "a brave and fierce advocate for the human rights of Rohingya Muslims around the world."
Blinken also urged “a full and transparent investigation into his death with the goal of holding the perpetrators of this heinous crime accountable.”
Maluvi Abu Bakkar, an Arsa leader who was in charge of the Balukhali 2 camp in Cox's Bazar, is seen sitting in his cluster in Bhasan Char CollectedA member of Mohibullah's family, who had been granted special permission to leave the camp and relocate to another country due to threats, has expressed disappointment in the recent development.
According to this family member: "This indicates that there will be no investigation and no justice. Justice is being postponed."
Meenakshi Ganguly, the South Asia director of Human Rights Watch, shared similar sentiments regarding the situation.
Despite attempts to obtain information, the authorities responsible for the administration of Bhasan Char, specifically the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC), failed to respond to emailed questions.
While following Mohibullah's murder, UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay made a statement, urging the Bangladeshi authorities to conduct an investigation and “hold those responsible accountable,” the UNHCR has not been forthcoming with information regarding the current situation.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneNay San Lwin, a Rohingya advocate based in Europe, suggested that this indicates that the UNHCR may not be living up to its mandate to ensure the safety and welfare of refugees, including holding those responsible for crimes against them accountable.
Nay San Lwin said: "Given that some of these criminals are now residing in a safe haven, the UNHCR must take this matter seriously, conduct a thorough investigation, and put more effort into protecting innocent refugees."
Mufti Zia Rahman, a top Arsa leader and accused in the Mohibullah murder case, is seen in Bhasan Char CollectedThe former Arsa leaders reportedly relocated to the island include Moluvi Hasan Sharif, Mufti Zia Rahman, Rafique Ullah, Mustafa, Farque, Mv Abu Bakkar, and Mr Ayoub.
Three of them -- Abu Anas (also known as Fozul Karim), Zia Rahman, and Zaker -- are reportedly included in a list of 29 individuals who have been charged with the murder of Mohibullah.
Shafiur Rahman is a journalist and documentary maker
