New York-based Human Rights Watch has alleged that Bangladesh's Armed Police Battalion (APBn) is committing extortion, arbitrary arrests, and harassment of Rohingya refugees, and urged donor governments to play a role in ending such abuses.
The rights group demands that the authorities consult refugees and humanitarian groups to improve training and monitoring of APBn units operating in the camps.
“The US, UK, and other donors should support projects to promote Rohingya refugees' safety and protection, while pressing the Bangladesh authorities to end police abuses in the camps,” the HRW said in a statement Tuesday. “Bangladesh should do what Myanmar never has – hold those responsible for abuses against Rohingya to account.”
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The HRW says it considered reports by 40 refugees in October and November last year. It has also reviewed police reports, documenting more than 16 cases of serious abuse by members of APBn, who took over security in the Rohingya camps in July 2020.
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The HRW statement came at a time when killings of Rohingyas in armed fighting and yaba smuggling and human trafficking by Rohingya have prompted the authorities to take stricter measures to maintain law and order.
