RECENTLY, BBC Bangla Radio aired an investigative report on sexual harassment of Rohingya teenage girls and widows at Cox's Bazar camp. The report mentioned about a gang of local influential kingpins who employed Rohinga teenage girls as domestic help in an elite area outside Cox's Bazar. But these girls were soon sold out as prostitutes and compelled to sell their bodies. They were reportedly abused sexually in some local hotels in and outside Cox's Bazar. Attempts were also made to traffic those young girls to distant places outside the country. The gang of kingpins basically lured the teenage girls and widows with well-paid jobs abroad. The report presented a graphic description of the maladies these teenage girls and widows were being subjected to. Rohingyas can now be termed the most vulnerable refugees across the world as their citizenship is yet to be recognised in their own state and they are the real victims of ethnic cleansing at the hands of their own government in Myanmar. Many of the victims lost either of their parents or both while fleeing their ancestral homes in Myanmar. Many of the refugee children are now orphans and women are widows. Gangs of criminals took advantage of their helplessness and exploited them to their advantage.
By accepting and taking care of the Rohingya refugees, Bangladesh has already earned an enviable reputation in the outside world. But sadly the culprits, who are local goons, are tarnishing the country's image beyond the border. It is reported that some misguided members of our law enforcement agencies are also involved in sexual abuse and human trafficking. Our government should come down heavily on the criminals and take stern measures to curb them. Otherwise, they will continue to give wrong messages to the outside world.
Md. Zillur Rahaman
Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd
Lalmohan Branch, Bhola
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