Mike Noyes, head of humanitarian response at ActionAid UK, comments on reports that Boris Johnson is due to visit Rohingya refugees at Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh, tomorrow (Sat 10th February).
“Boris Johnson’s visit to Cox’s Bazaar is a welcome signal of the UK’s commitment to responding to this crisis. The documented and widespread human rights violations against the Rohingya population that led them to flee Myanmar still remain a threat.
"ActionAid is in the camps in Bangladesh supporting Rohingya refugees, specifically women and girls who have experienced sexual violence. They are traumatised from what they have witnessed and experienced, and justifiably fearful of forced repatriation.
"The Foreign Secretary must maintain the UK’s commitment to the protection of the Rohingya in Bangladesh, and maintain that there can be only be a return when their concerns have been fully heard, and sufficient safeguards met – including humanitarian access to Rakhine state.”