Mon Aug 25 06:58:59 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
On the eighth anniversary of the mass exodus from Myanmar, tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladeshi camps protested, demanding safe repatriation to Rakhine state. The “Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day” saw refugees holding banners and attending conferences where international figures discussed supporting the refugees and expediting repatriation. The situation in Rakhine remains volatile, with the Arakan Army’s presence complicating the return. Refugees expressed frustration and called for equal rights in Myanmar, citing the violence and genocide they experienced. Despite Bangladesh’s efforts and international appeals, the Rohingya’s return remains uncertain.
**News Article:**
**Rohingya Refugees Mark 8th Anniversary of Exodus, Demand Safe Return Home**
*Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh – August 25, 2025* – Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh marked the eighth anniversary of their mass exodus from Myanmar today, holding protests and demanding safe and dignified repatriation to their ancestral lands in Rakhine state. The refugees, residing in numerous camps across the Cox’s Bazar district, gathered at Kutupalong, one of the largest camps, carrying banners proclaiming “No More Refugee Life” and “Repatriation the Ultimate Solution.”
The day, designated as “Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day,” served as a somber reminder of the brutal crackdown by Myanmar’s military in August 2017, which forced over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh.
A separate three-day conference, aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis, commenced on Sunday. International dignitaries, United Nations representatives, diplomats, and members of Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, are participating in discussions focused on providing essential aid to the refugees and exploring pathways to accelerate the stalled repatriation process.
However, the prospect of a safe return remains clouded by the volatile situation in Rakhine state, where the Arakan Army insurgent group continues to exert control, contributing to the refugees’ uncertainty.
“We are here today because the Myanmar military and the Arakan army committed genocide against our community,” said Nur Aziz, a 19-year-old refugee. “We want to go back to our country with equal rights like other ethnic groups in Myanmar. The rights they are enjoying in Myanmar as citizens of the country, we too want to enjoy the same rights.”
Since 2017, Bangladesh has twice attempted to repatriate the refugees and has consistently urged the international community to pressure Myanmar to create conditions conducive to their return. Despite these efforts, the Rohingya remain in limbo, highlighting the urgent need for a lasting solution to the crisis.
First Piper 