Rohingyas 'living in misery' in both Myanmar and Bangladesh

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Rohingya refugees on Saturday marked the first anniversary since a Myanmar military crackdown forced hundreds of thousands to camps in Bangladesh.

They staged angry protests inside refugee camps as many recalled the alleged torture and sexual violence on the Muslim minority.

According to a local police chief, about 40,000 refugees took part in the rallies.

In an anniversary statement, the president of the International Red Cross, Peter Maurer, who visited camps in both Bangladesh and Rakhine state, said living conditions for Rohingyas were miserable.

He added there were no tangible improvements in Rakhine.

A Rohingya refugee takes part in a protest at the Kutupalong refugee camp to mark the one-year anniversary of their exodus in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, August 25, 2018. /Reuters Photo

The lack of physical infrastructure is one of the main reasons why many Rohingya exiles refuse to go back to Myanmar, especially to their Rakhine homeland.

"The situation on the ground is not yet conducive for the displaced population to return to Myanmar," Ikhtiyar Aslanov, chief of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Dhaka told CGTN's Asia Today.

He added that while negotiations for the repatriation process between Myanmar and Bangladesh are ongoing, the political situation remains fragile.

Rohingya refugee women take part in a protest at the Kutupalong refugee camp to mark the one-year anniversary of their exodus in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, August 25, 2018. /Reuters Photo

Aslanov is urging the international community to do more.

"What is needed is that the international community must facilitate and support the process of the return. [They're] needed to continue support Myanmar and Bangladesh in terms of humanitarian aid."

He added that Rohingyas must be guaranteed a return that is safe, dignified and voluntary.