UN seeks access to Bangladeshi Rohingya refugee island

Bangladesh has transferred hundreds of Rohingya refugees to Bhashan Char, a low-lying island prone to cyclones and floods. The move comes amid criticism from international aid groups.

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Rohingya refugees on the island of Bhasan Char — Rights groups say the Rohingya refugees are being removed against their willImage: bdnews24.com

The UN urged Bangladesh on Thursday to allow officials to inspect a remote island where the government shipped 1,600 Rohingya refugees last week.

Bangladeshi naval vessels began the transfers on December 4 despite some reports saying that they forced to refugees to go.

The global body says its staff are being prevented from visiting Bhasan Char in the Bay of Bengal.

Bangladesch Rohingya Geflüchtete Umsiedlung Insel Bhasan Char — Bangladesh sent more than 1,500 Rohingya refugees to an isolated island despite protests by human rights groupsImage: bdnews24.com

Thomas Andrews, the UN human rights investigator to Myanmar, said in a statement the assessment and verification process were in the "best interest of all."

"They will assure the government of Bangladesh of the suitability of Bhasan Char to host refugees or identify changes that might be necessary," he said. "It will also assure that the government’s policy of strict voluntary relocation to Bhasan Char is, indeed, being faithfully carried out."

Rohingya refugees fear forceful relocation to remote island

US State Department spokesman Cale Brown backed the UN's call and urged that any transfers be “fully voluntary and based on informed consent without pressure or coercion."

The Bangladeshi government says no-one is being forcibly transferred, saying the relocations are necessary to ease chronic overcrowding.