Standing among crowded bamboo shacks in the middle of the world’s most populous refugee camp, Mohamed Eleyas lists the guarantees the Rohingya want met before they will return home to Myanmar.
“We have always told [the Myanmar government] that we need full citizenship as members of the Rohingya ethnic group, a safe zone with guaranteed international security, reparations for loss of property and land, and equal rights that are shared by other ethnic groups in Myanmar before we repatriate,” said Mr Eleyas, a Rohingya refugee and senior member of the camp-based community service organisation Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights.
But two years since over 740,000 mostly Muslim ethnic Rohingya fled state-led violence in Myanmar, these demands remain unmet, leaving the Rohingya unwilling to leave the sprawling refugee camps near the Myanmar border in southern Bangladesh. The apparent reluctance of the Myanmar government to facilitate their return is raising fears the Rohingya in Bangladesh will remain stateless for generations.
"We've made our needs and demands clear so many times and they still do not help us," Mr Eleyas told The National. "They need to guarantee the rights we ask for before we can even consider repatriation," he said.
The Rohingya are an ethnic minority who have lived in Myanmar’s Rakhine State for generations. A predominantly Muslim minority, the Rohingya have faced state-led violence and persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar for decades.
Two years ago they were forced to flee into neighbouring Bangladesh. Myanmar's military acted with "genocidal intent" during "clearance operations", a United Nations Fact-Finding Mission found. After the Rohingya fled, many of their villages were burned and bulldozed.
Since then the Rohingya have demanded to return home but the Myanmar government’s efforts have failed to convince them it is safe to return. A recent push for repatriation in which the Myanmar government drew up a list of 3,450 people cleared for return resulted in zero Rohingya volunteering for repatriation.
Among the reasons why no one volunteered, the Rohingya say, is that the Myanmar government is still unwilling to offer a clear path to full citizenship.
Instead, the government has offered Rohingya National Verification Cards (NVCs). These would act as placeholder identification while the government determines eligibility for National Registration Cards (NRCs), the traditional identification document that verifies people as full citizens of Myanmar.
The Rohingya say an NVC is not enough.
”We call the NVCs ‘genocide cards’,” said Mr Eleyas. “We were born [in Myanmar] and even our grandparents were born there, so why should we accept the NVC cards? We will not agree to them. If we do, [the Myanmar government] will just label us as ‘foreigners.’”
Without a NRC, those returning will lack full citizenship, leading to restricted freedom of movement, and limited access to education, public services, and jobs.
The military is like a crocodile, and we have seen them eat and destroy our people for generations
To obtain a NRC, people must show evidence of a family’s citizenship dating back generations, something most Rohingya say is nearly impossible, given the long-running state discrimination against them.
“We have deliberately been left with no documentation,” said Metun, a Rohingya refugee at the Kutupalong camp. Like many Rohingya he uses only one name.
“When they burned the villages, what remaining documentation people had was burned too….This is why people are not willing to go back. If we go back, we will be forced to go through the NVC process, be forced to apply for citizenship. It’s like putting your legs in the fire.”
While the government of over-populated Bangladesh is eager for the Rohingya to return, Myanmar authorities appear less than sincere in repatriation efforts, often blaming its neighbour for delays.
"The Myanmar side had repeatedly requested the Bangladesh side to follow the procedures set out in the bilateral agreement," said a statement in the government-owned Global New Light of Myanmar, referring to verification forms meant to be distributed to Rohingya refugees seeking repatriation. "This procedure was not adhered to."
For those who do return, the government has provided little information about what will happen after they are taken to barbed-wire enclosed “reception centres” in Rakhine state.
The possibility of Rohingya returning to their previous homes seems unlikely, as the government appears to be razing Rohinya villages anew.
Analysing satellite imagery, the International Cyber Policy Centre at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute reported that nearly 60 Rohingya settlements were demolished last year, with destruction continuing this year. The report also stated that six military facilities have been built or expanded on former Rohingya settlements.
“They bombed and burned our homes while we were fleeing,” said Mr Eleyas. “We want to go back to our land, but we know there is nothing there anymore.”
The safety of those returning also remains a concern.
Rakhine remains an active conflict zone, with aid groups and journalists largely denied access to the region. A government-led telecommunications blackout has been in effect in nine townships since June 21. According to Human Rights Watch, an estimated 500,000 Rohingya that remain in Rakhine are confined to camps without access to livelihoods, adequate food, medical care, education or freedom of movement.
And the same security forces that committed violence against the Rohingya would be providing security to those who repatriate, something the Rohingya are unwilling to accept.
"The military is like a crocodile, and we have seen them eat and destroy our people for generations,” said Mr Eleyas. “We do not trust them to protect us.”
With Myanmar authorities giving little sign they mean to regain that trust, it seems likely the Rohingya will remain in exile for the foreseeable future.
“We want to go home as quick as possible, but to do that we have to be able to do it with all our rights,” Mr Eleyas said. “Only then will be able to repatriate.”
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERooh%20Afza%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20contains%20414%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETang%20orange%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECarob%20beverage%20mix%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20about%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQamar%20Al%20Din%20apricot%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20saving%20contains%2061%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EVimto%20fruit%20squash%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%2030%20calories%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20366hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E550Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESix-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh360%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
The biog
Hometown: Birchgrove, Sydney Australia
Age: 59
Favourite TV series: Outlander Netflix series
Favourite place in the UAE: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque / desert / Louvre Abu Dhabi
Favourite book: Father of our Nation: Collected Quotes of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Thing you will miss most about the UAE: My friends and family, Formula 1, having Friday's off, desert adventures, and Arabic culture and people
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3
Danilo (16'), Bernardo Silva (34'), Fernandinho (72')
Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Ulloa (20')
'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
More on Quran memorisation:
