Bangladesh shuts private school for Rohingya refugees

30-03-2022

Gianpaolo Mascaro

Bangladesh and Human Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence

Bangladesh has shut the largest private school dedicated to Rohingya refugees, deteriorating even more the right to education of hundreds of boys and girls living in camps situated in the country’s southeast. The school, funded by teachers and better-off refugee families, had been set up by Mohib Ullah, a leader of the Rohingya community who was murdered last September, presumably by an opposing Rohingya armed group. The decision left approximately 600 pupils without any chance to access courses. 

The closure of this school does not represent an isolated fact, as Bangladeshi authorities have been shutting down schools started up by Rohingya refugees on the basis of the lack of proper paperwork and licenses. What is more, Human Rights Watch reported that, in case of further violations of the ban on refugee-led schools, the Bangladeshi government threatened to seize Rohingya’s identity documents and forcibly displace the refugees, relocating them in a remote island.

The situation is therefore highly concerning, since such bureaucracy-related issues can constitute a huge hindrance to the full development of many Rohingya youngsters. Nur Khan Liton, former secretary-general of Ain O Salish Kendra, the largest human rights organization operating in Bangladesh, recalled how education is a fundamental right. He further added that all these young people, if deprived today of the right to attend school, will struggle tomorrow to find good jobs once back in their own native country.

Sources

AlJazeera (25 November 2021). Bangladesh begins moving Rohingya to remote island amid criticism. Retrieved from: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/25/bangladesh-resumes-moving-rohingya-refugees-to-flood-prone-island;

AlJazeera (29 March 2022). Bangladesh shuts school in Rohingya camp set up by slain leader. Retrieved from: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/29/bangladesh-shuts-school-in-rohingya-camp-set-up-by-slain-leader.

Dhaka Tribune (2022). Govt shuts largest private school in Rohingya camps. Retrieved from: https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2022/03/28/govt-shuts-largest-private-school-in-rohingya-camps