The government is taking a strong stance in preventing human trafficking from the Rohingya camps. At the same time, vigilance is also raised to stop Rohingyas from fleeing the camps. Scope of work was prepared last week to control NGO activities at the Rohingya camp. The authority will also be alert to ensure that the Rohingya issue is not used as a shield to cover nefarious acts.
The NGO Bureau has formulated a Framework for NGO with 16 directives, aimed at ensuring transparency.
The bureau says workers of a project will have to be listed and now, additional workers can be employed; all NGO workers need to wear their identity cards, apart from those providing medical help, other NGOs cannot work at the camps after dark, NGO support has to be limited within humanitarian support.
No NGO worker can engage in any anti repatriation act; as per NBR policy, VAT, tax will have to be submitted, the relief items for distribution will have to be published in a list and in employing relief workers, Bangladeshis need to be given preference, under no circumstances can money be distributed among the Rohingyas, the bank accounts of NGOs will only hold funds approved by the NGO Bureau and acts which devastate ecology like cutting trees, digging canals are prohibited.
To carry out emergency relief operation, approval is a must from relief and repatriation commissioner.
NGO Affairs DG, KM Abdus Salam, said: “This has been done for proper management of the whole operation.”
Refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, Md. Mahbub Talukder, said: “We do not have any information as yet on ramping up of security and barbed wire fence.”
Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, says: “To monitor the movement of Rohingyas, construction of barbed wire is essential; in addition, a watchtower and CCTVs will be placed.”
Many Rohingyas are engaged in yaba trade and to stop this, we want to put up barbed wire, said the minister, adding: “On several occasions, they have tried to go to other countries by boat and we want to save them from being trafficked.”
On Sept 26 last, the home minister had meetings with several European NGOs and ambassadors of USA and Canada.