THE Rohingyas of Myanmar are the victims of “crimes against humanity”, according to an aid charity.

The claim was made during a visit to the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh, where many of the Muslim minority have fled, by Alistair Dutton of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf).

The refugees are fleeing the violence in Rakhine State, situated on the west coast of Myanmar, and eyewitness reports have described soldiers and Buddhist leaders carrying out a systematic campaign of murder and setting fire to villages.

The accusations have been denied by military leaders in the country.

“I don’t know who’s guilty of what but what has happened are crimes against humanity,” said Dutton, who is director of Sciaf.

“The chopping people up, shooting them, burning bodies, torching villages, stealing belongings and driving people out their country – these are crimes against humanity whoever perpetrated them.”

“There are an overwhelming number of reports. Everyone spoken to has seen or knew of someone who had family killed.

“I think if these reports were verified they would quite clearly be crimes against humanity,” he added.

Sciaf has raised more than £160,000 to help the refugees and despite a a recent repatriation agreement by the Bangladesh and Myanmar governments, refugees continue to arrive.

At the time of the agreement no details were given on how many Rohingya refugees would be allowed to return home or how soon that might happen.

Around 646,000 have risked the dangerous border crossing since the apparent rise in violence, sparked by Rohingya insurgents reportedly attacking police border posts in August.

Dutton warned that the crisis could last for years. And with the average time a refugee spends displaced at a staggering 17 years – according to an annual report by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees – Sciaf and charity partner Caritas Bangladesh are preparing to provide support for the long term.

“We’re here to help the Rohingya,” said Dutton. “No-one should be under any illusion that the recent Memorandum of Understanding between Myanmar and Bangladesh signals the end of this massive humanitarian disaster. The exile of the Rohingya refugees will almost certainly last for years and we will be here for as long as it takes.”

Earlier this month around 30 refugees were arriving daily at Shabrang Harbour at the Bangladesh border before being transported the the Kutupalong camp.

One of those who arrived, seven-year-old Noor Karima, escaped with her aunt after watching her mother and father being killed.

Another, Samara Besam, travelled with her three-year-old son and spent a month in hiding after fleeing the violence. The 25-year-old has vowed never to return.

“The military and Buddhist leaders tortured us. Why would we go back to Myanmar when there is no peace?” she said.

“They killed us and burned our houses. Why would we go back when there is no shelter?”

Another resident of the camp, Muhamed Ali, told of his father sacrificing himself to save his family and being “chopped into pieces” by soldiers.

The 28-year-old said he would prefer to die in Bangladesh than be sent back to his homeland without the creation of a Rohingya state with rights and citizenship.

“The whole world should pressure Myanmar to agree these terms. If this doesn’t happen we will go anywhere where we can find peace,” he said.

“If the Bangladesh government sends us back without any proper settlement, I would say that they should just kill us right here.

“We would be happier to die here than back in Myanmar.”

:: Donations to Sciaf’s Rohingya emergency appeal can be made online at www.sciaf.org.uk, or by phoning 0141 354 5555.