‘Desperate’
Rahman said that not all Rohingyas thrown into the sea do so from Bangladesh.
“Their situation in Myanmar is very bad,” he said, adding that despite talking about a repatriation program for five years, the refugees are losing hope of going home.
Most Rohingyas in Myanmar are considered illegal immigrants from South Asia and are denied citizenship. Rohingya in Bangladesh say they want to go home, but only if they are guaranteed citizenship.
“Life in the camp is not easy, people are desperate,” said Mohammad Imran, a former camp leader.
His parents live in Saudi Arabia.
Rohingya leader Dil Mohammad in Bangladesh said many are prepared to risk their lives in smugglers’ boats.
“People are getting frustrated with refugee life and there is no hope of going home,” he said. “Many of them die but nobody cares.”
Mohamed said he and his fellow Rohingya had been let down by the international community which did not stand up to Myanmar’s generals.
“The international community has failed to put pressure on Myanmar,” he said.