In pictures: Rohingya refugees mark one year of struggles

More marches, gatherings planned across what became the world’s biggest refugee camp, activists told

Thousands of Rohingya refugees staged protests demanding 'justice' in Bangladesh on Saturday on the first anniversary of the Myanmar military crackdown that forced them to flee to camps in Bangladesh.

About 700,000 of the Muslim minority in Myanmar poured across the border after attacks by the military and Buddhist groups forced them to flee. The United Nations has likened the crackdown to ethnic cleansing.

Thousands held peaceful marches and attended rallies chanting “We want justice from the UN.”

Rohingya militants staged attacks on Myanmar police posts on August 25 last year, sparking a bloody crackdown in Rakhine state. Nearly 7,000 Rohingya were killed in the first month alone, according to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

Rohingya refugee women hold placards as they take part in a protest at the Kutupalong refugee camp to mark the one-year anniversary of their exodus in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. PHOTO: REUTERS

 

Banners are seen as Rohingya refugee women continue to protest. PHOTO: REUTERS

 

Rohingya refugees protesting at the Kutupalong refugee camp. PHOTO: REUTERS

 

A refugee woman holds placard in protest. PHOTO: REUTERS

 

They continue to pray during the protest at the Kutupalong refugee camp. PHOTO: REUTERS

 

Rohingya refugees walk to attend a ceremony organised to remember the first anniversary of the crackdown on August 25, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

 

Thousands of refugees staged protests for "justice". PHOTO: AFP

 

Refugees sit together at a ceremony. PHOTO: AFP

 

Rashida Begum, a Rohingya refugee woman bathes her son in the Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. PHOTO: REUTERS

 

Young refugees next to a lone tree on a hill at the Balukhali refugee camp in Ukhia in southern Bangladesh. PHOTO: AFP