This
is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards – to whom
quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des
Nations in Geneva.
 |
| Hamida, 22, (center) and her son Mohammed, aged one, wait to receive food aid along with hundreds of other Rohingya refugees, at Kutupalong Refugee Camp, in Bangladesh. © UNHCR/Andrew McConnell |
24 November 2017
UNHCR takes note of reports that the governments of
Bangladesh and Myanmar have reached agreement on the return of Rohingya
refugees to Myanmar. Some 622,000 people have fled Myanmar’s northern Rakhine
State since 25 August, triggered by a wave of violence underpinned by denial of
citizenship and decades of deep discrimination.
Situation
is not conducive in Myanmar for Rohingya to return: UN https://lnkd.in/dpBAVRz
UNHCR has not yet seen the details of the agreement. Refugees have the right to return. And a framework that enables them to exercise this right in line with international standards, will be welcome. First and foremost, this means that return must be voluntary, and take place in safe and dignified conditions that pave the way for lasting solutions.
At present, conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State are not
in place to enable safe and sustainable returns. Refugees are still fleeing,
and many have suffered violence, rape, and deep psychological harm. Some have witnessed the deaths of family
members and friends. Most have little or nothing to go back to, their homes and
villages destroyed. Deep divisions between communities remain unaddressed. And
humanitarian access in northern Rakhine State remains negligible.
It is critical that returns do not take place
precipitously or prematurely, without the informed consent of refugees or the
basic elements of lasting solutions in place. People must have the option of
returning home, and not be confined to specific areas. Progress towards
addressing the root causes of flight, including their lack of citizenship, as
recommended by the Rakhine Advisory Commission, will also be crucial.
UNHCR looks forward to seeing details of the agreement
between the two countries, and stands ready to help both governments work towards
a solution for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh that meets international
refugee and human rights standards.
For more information on this topic, please contact:
In Cox’s Bazar,
Mohammed Abu Asaker, abuasake@unhcr.org,
+880 18 7269 9849
In Cox’s Bazar,
Mitra Salima Suryono, suryono@unhcr.org,
+880 19 0620 0363
In Bangkok, Vivian
Tan, tanv@unhcr.org, +66 81 827 0280
In Geneva, Duniya
Aslam Khan, khand@unhcr.org, +41 79 453 25
08
In Geneva, Andrej
Mahecic, mahecic@unhcr.org, +41 79 642
97 09