Guest contributors
Shafiur Rahman and Ro Mojibur
On the isolated island of Bhasan Char, in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Bangladesh, 22 transgender Rohingya have sought refuge.
Fleeing from the violence and discrimination of the Cox’s Bazar refugee camps, these individuals, known as “hijra” or “nakta fuain” in the Rohingya language, hoped to find a more peaceful existence. However, their journey remains fraught with challenges.
Life in Cox’s Bazar was a daily struggle against prejudice and violence. Many transgender faced regular harassment, with some recounting brutal attacks that left lasting physical and emotional scars.
One woman survived a stabbing, while another endured an assault that broke her nose. Many others had their long hair forcibly cut off, acts of violence often attributed to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and other armed gangs.
Despite these hardships, the transgender community in Cox’s Bazar received crucial financial support from Bandhu, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the welfare of sexual minorities in Bangladesh.
This aid provided a lifeline, granting them a degree of financial independence and stability. Unfortunately, the move to Bhasan Char severed this vital support, leaving them to navigate their new environment without it.
On Bhasan Char, they face a different set of obstacles. Opportunities to earn a living are scarce, and their transgender identity further complicates their situation. Some resort to begging or sex work, while most attempt to perform at functions and wedding ceremonies, singing and dancing to earn money.
However, these opportunities are significantly limited compared to the mainland, particularly the Teknaf area, where they could leave the camp to perform and receive financial help from Bandhu.
Exploitation and abuse remain a grim reality for the “nakta fuain” on Bhasan Char. Numerous reports of sexual and physical assaults have emerged, yet reporting these crimes to the authorities remains nearly impossible due to the pervasive stigma and prejudice they face.
This discrimination not only affects their ability to seek justice but also hinders their integration into the community
During interviews about the harassment they face, a sad reality emerged: they are often most chastised by their own family.
“I can’t even use the same soap as the other members of my family,” said Brishti, one of the 22 on Bhasan Char.
Another, who goes by the name of Happy, lives in fear of her brother who physically assaults her. “Another reason for these beatings is that I can’t earn. If I had income coming in, I think that at least would stop,” she said.
The societal rejection of their identity further complicates their existence. The inability of the Bhasan Char population to accept their way of life often leads to negative perceptions and hostile reactions.
At a recent funeral prayer for a drowned fisherman on Bhasan Char, some members of the transgender Rohingya community attended. After the prayers, they were subjected to vile names and had stones thrown at them.
Another poignant example is the case of one who, along with her male partner, sought to live as a couple on the island. The backlash was so intense that they were ultimately forced to leave Bhasan Char. This case exemplifies the severe intolerance and hostility they endure.
The transgender Rohingya on Bhasan Char continue to struggle for acceptance, safety, and dignity. Their journey, marked by displacement and hardship, shows the urgent need for more inclusive and supportive policies and a broader societal shift towards empathy and acceptance.
Shafiur Rahman is a documentary filmmaker working on Rohingya issues. Ro Mojibur is a Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh.
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