Dhaka: Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) has urged the Bangladesh government to play an influencing role in convincing the international community so that they put pressure on Myanmar to take immediate steps to protect Rohingyas from ongoing crimes against humanity there.

In a statement on Wednesday, the rights body said the government along with international community should be engaged in meaningful negotiations with the Myanmar government so that Rohingyas can resettle and lead a threat-free and dignified life there.

Voicing grave concern over fresh violence against Rohingyas that led to the death of hundreds, wounding of many and displacement of thousands, ASK said the context of clash between the Burmese Army and the Rohingyas in Rakhine State has contributed to a new influx of Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh in the last few days.

Citing news reports, the statement said thousands of civilians, including women, children and elderly people, from the Rakhine State have assembled close to the border fleeing atrocities in the army crackdown.

Thousands of people have entered Bangladesh and several thousand were also reportedly located along the Myanmar side of the border. Most are women, children or the elderly, and there have been reports of wounded people among them, it said.

ASK expressed grave concern over such large scale crime against humanity by the state and non-state perpetrators in Rakhine.

The situation in Rakhine is still volatile and as of Wednesday, satellite accessed by different rights bodies shows extensive fires in almost 10 areas of the state.

Considering the context, forcing the refugees to go back to Myanmar would amount to compel them towards certain death, the statement said, urging the Bangladesh government to adopt a humanitarian approach to accommodate the Rohingyas.