In the sprawling refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, Rohingya hijras, who embody a South Asian identity encompassing trans, intersex, and non-binary individuals, face a grave reality of sexual violence and social exclusion. Salma, a Rohingya hijra living in the camps, shared her harrowing experiences with CNN, highlighting a systemic issue of violence and neglect that has persisted unchecked for years.
On a fateful night in September 2023, what started as a joyful journey to a wedding outside the camp turned into a nightmare for Salma and her friends. Ambushed by masked men, they were subjected to brutal assaults; Salma recounted being raped multiple times, an ordeal she has faced repeatedly both inside and outside the camp. These camps, meant to be sanctuaries, have become hotbeds of transphobic abuse and sexual violence against hijras.
Despite the establishment of the camps following the ethnic cleansing in Myanmar, which pushed approximately 750,000 Rohingyas into Bangladesh since August 2017, the specific vulnerabilities of hijras remain largely unrecognized and unaddressed by both camp authorities and international bodies like the UNHCR. Interviews reveal that hijras rarely report their victimization due to fear of reprisals from perpetrators and a history of inaction by authorities.
The RRRC (Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner’s office), which oversees the camps, was reportedly unaware of the hijras’ presence and the specific challenges they face until CNN’s inquiries. This lack of awareness and the resultant inaction underline a significant oversight in the management and protection policies within the camps.
Hijras in the camps are forced to navigate a precarious existence, often having to conform to traditional male attire to avoid violence. They face daily discrimination when accessing basic services like healthcare and food, where they are either shunned or forced to wait until all others have been served.
The international community and local NGOs have been slow to recognize and address the unique needs of the hijra community, often omitting them from targeted aid programs. This exclusion exacerbates their plight, leaving them vulnerable to repeated abuses and forcing them into the shadows of camp life.
This investigative report by CNN not only sheds light on the plight of Rohingya hijras but also calls into question the effectiveness of the current refugee support structures in place. It underscores the urgent need for specific protective measures and inclusive policies to safeguard these vulnerable populations within the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar.