Ahead of the upcoming UN high-level international conference on the Rohingya issue, scheduled for September 30 at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Rohingya refugees staged a large rally on Saturday at Camp no. 13 of Balukhali, under Palongkhali union of Ukhiya upazila in Cox’s Bazar.

The rally was organized to draw global attention to the continued injustices and human rights violations faced by the Rohingya community, including mass killings, forced displacement, rape, denial of fundamental freedoms, and the enforcement of discriminatory laws in Myanmar.

Presiding over the event, Master Syed Ullah of Camp no. 15 stressed that the UN conference must not overlook the brutalities committed by both the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA). He called for urgent international measures to ensure justice, accountability, and lasting human rights protection.

“Eight years have passed, but we’ve seen nothing but promises. Living off humanitarian aid is not sustainable,” Ullah said. “We don’t want more promises; we want guarantees for a safe, voluntary, and dignified return to our homeland with full citizenship rights.”

Other speakers included Master Jahangir Alam (Teacher Representative), Master Kin Mong (President, Social Platform), Maulana Shafique (Religious Representative), and Sajida Begum (Women’s Representative). Participants at the rally comprised community leaders, teachers, religious figures, health workers, youth, business representatives, social media activists, and ordinary camp residents.

Earlier at the UN General Assembly, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus reaffirmed Dhaka’s readiness to cooperate with the international community in repatriating the Rohingyas. He expressed hope that the upcoming conference would deliver real action and adequate funding to advance the repatriation process.

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