Dhaka (AsiaNews) - Food Minister Abdur Razzaque has returned to the controversy concerning the mistreatment to the Burmese Rohingya refugees arguing that "there is no" harassment or bullying, as reported by international media. AsiaNews sources in Bangladesh, who work with refugees, however, explain that "there are two different categories" and the second, non-registered, "suffers from hunger and can not receive assistance" from international organizations.  

"Despite being a poor country - says the minister - Bangladesh provides aid and assistance to the Rohingya for humanitarian reasons”. Abdur Razzaque denies that there is "repression, although the international media use that despicable word." He also adds a regularization of illegal refugees, would be an invitation to all to illegally enter the country with the illusion of receiving support from international organizations or on transit to other nations.

The Rohingya are one of several ethnic minorities that make up the Union of Myanmar. Of Muslim religion, they live in Rakhine State, north-west of the country and the military regime does not recognize their right to citizenship, ownership of land, freedom to travel or wed without a "special permit" issued by the authorities. Tens of thousands seek refuge abroad, mainly in Bangladesh and Malaysia.  

Dhaka has granted approximately 28 thousand Rohingya refugee status, who live in a United Nations refugee camp in Kutupalong. However, different estimates speak of 200 thousand - or maybe 300 thousand - other members of the minority who live illegally in Bangladesh.  

A local source - anonymous for security reasons - who works closely with the refugees, confirms to AsiaNews that the humanitarian emergency involves the "unregistered". Against 28 thousand "officially registered" Rohingya who live in camps set up by the government, there are many more left on their own. "The first - says the source - may receive aid from the UN World Food Program and other organizations, with the approval of the government." The "unregistered" by contrast, are considered "undocumented" or illegal, they do not have the status of refugees and "international agencies are not allowed to help them."

The illegal Rohingya "do not receive food or medicine" and are likely to die of starvation, the source confirmed to AsiaNews. They also "do not have freedom of movement" even if a party "is working and has a minimum wage." "They have very limited opportunities to receive a salary - he concludes - and this is also why they are at risk from hunger."