Bangladesh denies entry to Rohingya refugees

Border officials see refugees fleeing sectarian violence in Myanmar as economic burdens.

The United Nations has called for “urgent action” to prevent the spread of inter-communal violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, after recent clashes killed dozens of people and left tens of thousands homeless.

The government has estimated that more than 22,500 people have been displaced from their homes in the last week and more than 4,600 houses have been burnt.

Many Rohingya refugees trying to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh have been denied entrance by Bangladeshi border troops because they are viewed as economic burdens for the country.  

Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque reports from the town of Teknaf on the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.

Source: Al Jazeera