Dhaka: International representatives of Rohingya ethnic refugees were shot dead in camps in Bangladesh by unknown gunmen Wednesday, police said.
Mohibullah, 50, is a teacher who emerged as the leader of the main refugee and spokesperson representing the Muslim ethnic group in an international meeting.
He visited the White House in 2019 for a meeting of freedom of religion with President Donald Trump and talked about the suffering and persecution faced by Rohingya in Myanmar.
In the same year, he was criticized by the media Bangladesh after he led a large rally in 200,000 refugees to mark the second anniversary of the crackdown over Myanmar’s military which caused around 700,000 Rohingya, including Mohibullah, to escape to the adjacent Bangladesh.
Unknown striker Shoot Mohibullah in Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhiya in Bazar Cox District, said Naimul Haque, a commander of the armed police battalion at Bazar Cox.
He rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead.
No group claimed responsibility and unclear immediately behind the attack.
Human Rights Watch said that it would vital voice for the Rohingya community.
“He always defends Rohingya rights to safe and dignified returns and to say in their lives and future decisions.
His murder is a simple demonstration to the risks faced by people in camps that speak for freedom and fight violence,” Meenakshi Ganguly, director of South Asia Haksi group, said in a statement.
“Mohibullah’s death was not only fighting the struggle of Rohingya refugees for greater rights and protection in refugee camps, but also their efforts to return to their homes in Myanmar.
Bangladeshi authorities must immediately investigate Mohibullah’s murder along with other attacks on activists Rohingya in camps, “he said.
Overall, Bangladesh has protected more than 1.1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar after a wave of previous persecution.