HRW accuses APBn of extortion, arbitrary arrests of Rohingya refugees

The Armed Police Battalion (APBn) of Bangladesh is allegedly harassing Rohingya refugees, making arbitrary arrests, and indulging in extortion with impunity, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). 

In a report issued on Tuesday, the rights watchdog claimed that the refugees are already at risk because they frequently come under attack from armed groups and criminal gangs.

The police squad has been in charge of keeping the camp secure since 2020.

"Refugees and humanitarian workers report that safety has deteriorated under the APBn's oversight due to increased police abuses as well as criminal activity. Some refugees allege collusion between APBn officers and armed groups and gangs operating in the camps," said the report.

The report quoting Shayna Bauchner, Asia researcher at the HRW, said, "Abuses by police in the Cox's Bazar camps have left Rohingya refugees suffering at the hands of the very forces who are supposed to protect them."

They based their statements on interviews with over 40 Rohingya refugees, including 10 alleged victims, who said they were detained on apparently fabricated grounds for trafficking yaba. The organisation reviewed police reports and documented more than 16 cases of serious abuse by APBn officers, said the report.

The rights body demanded that the government investigate the allegations of abuse.

"Police generally demanded Tk10,000-40,000 (US$100-400) to avoid arrest, and Tk 50,000-100,000 taka ($500-1,000) for the release of a detained family member. Families often had to sell gold jewelry or borrow money for bribes or legal costs," claimed the report.

The HRW noted that the authorities should consult refugees and humanitarian groups to improve training and monitoring of APBn units operating in the camps.

"Each camp should task and train non-APBn personnel to receive complaints against police officers filed by refugees," it said.