Rohingya Refugees Rally for Peaceful Repatriation on Seventh Anniversary of Exodus

Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees gathered on the seventh anniversary of a military crackdown demanding an end to violence and a safe return to Myanmar. Over a million live in poor conditions in Bangladesh camps with little hope for repatriation, amid escalating violence and international pleas for action.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees rallied in camps in Bangladesh on Sunday, marking the seventh anniversary of the military crackdown that forced them to flee their homes. They demanded an end to violence and called for a safe return to Myanmar.

Over a million Rohingya reside in squalid camps in southern Bangladesh, facing slim prospects for repatriation. Recent weeks have seen thousands more flee Myanmar's Rakhine state as clashes intensify between troops from the ruling junta and the Arakan Army, a powerful ethnic militia. Refugees, from children to the elderly, waved placards reading 'Hope is home' and 'We Rohingya are the citizens of Myanmar,' amid passionate chants.

'Enough is enough. Stop violence and attacks on the Rohingya community,' said refugee Hafizur Rahman. Bangladesh asserts that repatriating the refugees is the only viable solution, as local communities grow increasingly hostile. The UN and UNICEF have raised the alarm over the worsening conditions, especially for children, as more calls mount for international action.

(With inputs from agencies.)