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Police Abuse of Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Must End | HRW (Jan 17, 2023)

17 January 2023

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Human Rights Wathc

January 17, 2023

Bangladesh: Rampant Police Abuse of Rohingya Refugees

Donors Should Press for End to Extortion, Harassment by Armed Police Battalion

(Bangkok) – Bangladesh’s Armed Police Battalion (APBn) is committing extortion, arbitrary arrests, and harassment of Rohingya refugees already facing violence from criminal gangs and armed groups, Human Rights Watch said today. Donor governments should press the Bangladesh authorities to investigate alleged abuses against Rohingya living in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, ensure that victims have effective remedies, and develop measures to better protect refugees.

The Armed Police Battalion took over security in the Rohingya camps in July 2020. Refugees and humanitarian workers report that safety has deteriorated under the APBn’s oversight due to increased police abuses as well as criminal activity. Some refugees allege collusion between APBn officers and armed groups and gangs operating in the camps.

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