access to protection or humanitarian assistance. (1)

Over the years thousands of Ruhingya also have fled to Thailand. There are roughly 111,000 refugees housed in 9 camps along the Thai-Myanmar border. There have been charges that groups of them have been shipped and towed out to open sea from Thailand, and left there. In February 2009 there was evidence of the Thai army towing a boatload of 190 Ruhingya refugees out to sea. A group of refugees rescued by Indonesian authorities also in February 2009 told harrowing stories of being captured and beaten by the Thai military, and then abandoned at open sea. By the end of February there were reports that of a group of 5 boats were towed out to open sea, of which 4 boats sank in a storm, and 1 boat washed up on the shore. (2)

Mr. Nurul Islam President Arakan Ruhingya National Organisation (ARNO) disclosed that this unfortunate uprooted people are mostly found in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia; also in UAE, Thailand and Malaysia. Present distribution of the Ruhingya population is furnished: Inside Burma: 2 million, Bangladesh: 600,000, Pakistan:350,000, Saudi Arabia 400,000, Others (U.A.E., Thailand, Malaysia.) : 100,000.

Bangladesh`s stand on Ruhingya issue

From the very beginning of a steady influx of Ruhingya, Bangladesh Govt. as well as the people welcomed them whole heartedly. They have made substantial efforts to accommodate their brethren in faith for nearly three decades in spite of their own problems. Ruhingya refugee put extra pressure on Bangladesh, a disaster-prone country. Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world where more than 40 per cent of the population live on less than $1 a day. Consequently, while the local community feel deep sympathy for the Ruhingya. While most of the Ruhingya refugees have gone, still some continue to remain in Bangladesh creating impact on domestic security as well as in bilateral relations. More important, the country is to remain vigilant against the reoccurrence of such developments. Bangladesh never pursued forced repatriation of the refugees. Bangladesh always wants permanent solution of Ruhingya issue by repatriating them to their ancestral lands in Arakan through diplomatic channels. The government has taken initiative to place the issue before international forums soon. Although Bangladesh is not a party to the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 1951 and to its Optional Protocols, it has remained committed to the principle of international protection of refugees.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Pia Prytz Phiri during a meeting with Food and Disaster Management Minister Abdur Razzaque disclosed that "the Ruhingya refugee issue turned into a regional problem and the UNHCR is sincere to resolve it. Bangladesh, Thailand and Myanmar can take a joint initiative in this regard." UN official acknowledged that the number of Ruhingya refugees registered was 250,877 during the period of November 1991 to June 1992, of them, 236,599 have so far returned to their own country. At present, 24,135 registered Ruhingyas have taken refuge at Kutupalong in Ukhia upazila and Nayapara camp in Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar district. (3)

Conclusion:

Ruhingya Muslims issue is one of the lingering Muslim minority problems being faced by the Ummah today; it is also one of the modern world's most unreported human tragedies. They are the integral part of the history of South East Asia. It is common for a Ruhingya to have experienced trauma, isolation, violence and separation. They have left behind their lives and loved ones in Myanmar, and are living in difficult circumstances in refugee camps for days together. They have no hopes for the future. The people of Bangladesh have close affinity with the Ruhingyas in relation to the Faith, culture and heritage for long. But no effective step in extensive form has yet been undertaken for its solution. Unfortunately the Ruhingya people are split into many groups and organizations. By sinking their petty differences the Ruhingyas must unite under a common banner in order to achieve their cherished goal. The world community irrespective of creed and culture should raise their voices against the ethnic cleansing drive on humanitarian ground, so that the international organizations can exert pressure on military junta for permanent solution of Ruhingya issue.