A group of gunmen has ruthlessly shot dead a prominent leader of the Rohingya Muslim community inside a refugee camp located in southern Bangladesh. The United Nations and local authorities have also confirmed the death of Mohib Ullah, who was shot dead in a refugee camp on Wednesday.
Since the exodus of more than 730,000 people following the military takeover of Myanmar in 2017, Mohib Ullah has become the leader of one of the world’s largest Rohingya Muslim groups. He has been invited to several high-profile meetings including those held at the White House and at UN headquarters as a representative of the Rohingya Muslims group that he led.
He has also spoken at the UN Human Rights Council and has been a strong advocate for the rights of the Rohingya Muslim minority who have faced decades of persecution. He has also led the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, which documenting and publicizes the atrocities experienced by the Rohingya people in Myanmar.
Deputy superintendent of police for the southeastern coastal city of Coxs Bazar in Bangladesh, Rafiqul Islam confirmed Mohib Ullah had been shot dead without giving details about the incident.
Mohib Ullah has been targeted by hardliners for his hard work fighting for the rights of Rohingya Muslims. He is reported to have regularly received death threats, although, he has emphasized that he is not afraid of death and is willing to give his life for his people.
The large Rohingya camps in Bangladesh often face violent crimes, including kidnapping, rape, and murder. Many innocent women and children in the camps ended up being caught in the crossfire of armed groups fighting for power.
The UN high commissioner said coordination was underway with local law enforcement authorities to continue to ensure security in the refugee camps in Bangladesh.
Dismay and grief over the death of Mohib Ullah also came from the Rohingya Muslim group that called his death a “big loss” for the community.
