Photos: Rohingya refugees rally nine years after Myanmar exodus

Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh held a protest nine years after their exodus from Myanmar. The demonstrators are demanding a safe return to their home state of Rakhine in Myanmar. The rally highlights the ongoing plight of the Rohingya and their desire for repatriation. The protest signifies a continued call for action and resolution to their displacement.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh held a rally on August 25, 2026, marking the ninth anniversary of their exodus from Myanmar. They demanded a safe return to their home state of Rakhine, urging the international community to ensure security there. Over a million Rohingya refugees fled Myanmar in 2017 following a government crackdown. Previous repatriation attempts have failed as refugees cite security concerns, and Bangladesh has stated it will not force anyone to return. The International Court of Justice has held hearings regarding accusations of genocide against Myanmar for its actions in 2017. Myanmar maintains its campaign was a counter-terrorism operation. The security situation in Rakhine remains volatile, with refugees expressing concerns about prolonged displacement.

On the ninth anniversary of the genocide against them, hundreds of Rohingya refugees gathered in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, demanding justice and the right to return to Myanmar. Over a million stateless Rohingya have been living in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh since the 2017 military crackdown, which forced over 700,000 to flee. The Rohingya are a discriminated ethnic group not recognized by Myanmar, denied citizenship since 1982. Living conditions in the camps are worsening due to declining international aid, and refugees also face forced evictions in Malaysia and India. The 2017 crackdown is the subject of an ongoing genocide case at the International Court of Justice. Refugees are calling for international pressure on Myanmar to ensure their safe return.