Tue Mar 18 16:52:41 UTC 2025: ## Rohingya Refugee Camp Violence Claims 65 Lives in 2024: Report
**DHAKA, Bangladesh (March 18, 2025)** – At least 65 Rohingya refugees were killed last year in clashes between rival militant groups within Bangladeshi refugee camps, according to a new report by Fortify Rights. The regional human rights group documented the deaths, along with numerous assaults, abductions, and extortion attempts, attributing the violence to both militant and criminal elements operating within the camps. This represents a decrease from the 90 killings recorded in 2023.
The report, released Tuesday in Dhaka, highlights the ongoing conflict between groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation, who are battling for control of the overcrowded camps housing approximately one million Rohingya refugees. These refugees, mostly Muslim, fled Myanmar following a brutal military crackdown in 2017. The violence is not limited to inter-militant clashes; civilians are also frequent victims.
Fortify Rights director John Quinley condemned the near-total impunity enjoyed by Rohingya armed groups in both Bangladesh and Myanmar. The report urges the Bangladeshi government to thoroughly investigate the violence and hold those responsible accountable, noting that some actions may constitute war crimes warranting international prosecution.
The report’s release comes as the Rohingya refugee population faces a looming humanitarian crisis. Following funding shortfalls announced by the UN food agency, monthly food vouchers could be slashed from $12.50 to $6.00 per person starting in April. This reduction, coupled with previous aid cuts, will exacerbate the already dire conditions within the camps, where malnutrition is rampant. Bangladesh, struggling to support the large refugee population, is exploring options to secure additional aid. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently visited the camps and pledged to prevent further aid cuts.
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