This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson
Andrej Mahecic – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press
briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
16 January 2018
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, notes yesterday’s (15
January) meeting of the Joint Working Group on returns between the Governments
of Bangladesh and Myanmar, in Naypiydaw, Myanmar. They reportedly discussed the
implementation of their bilateral arrangement signed on 23 November 2017 on the
return of refugees who have been arriving from Rakhine State in Myanmar into
Bangladesh since 25 August. UNHCR underscores the importance of the dialogue
between the two States at the core of which is the right of refugees to
voluntarily return home. To ensure that the refugees are heard and their
protection guaranteed in Bangladesh and on return in Myanmar, we are willing to
be part of these discussions.
UNHCR understands that in yesterday’s discussions,
Bangladesh and Myanmar focused on the modalities for the return of refugees to
Myanmar. In any refugee situation, UNHCR hopes that refugees will be able to
return home when they themselves choose to. Before considering return to
Myanmar, some Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh have informed UNHCR staff that
they would need to see positive developments in relation to their legal status
and citizenship, the security situation in Rakhine State, and their ability to
enjoy basic rights back home.
Major challenges have to be overcome. These include
ensuring that refugees are informed about the situation in their areas of
origin and potential return and consulted on their wishes; that their safety is
ensured throughout - on departure, in transit and on return; and that the
environment in the areas of return is conducive for safe and sustainable
return.
In this context, we have observed that the Government of
Myanmar has endorsed the recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission
(RAC) lead by Kofi Annan and reiterated its commitment in the bilateral
Arrangement with the Government of Bangladesh. A comprehensive implementation
of the Rakhine Advisory Commission recommendations is essential to ensure
sustainable return. These stress the importance of ensuring peace and security
for all communities in Rakhine State, reducing communal divisions, and
achieving solutions for the legal and citizenship status of Muslim communities.
We look to Myanmar to urgently implement these recommendations.
In Myanmar, UNHCR and our partners need urgent,
unhindered access in Rakhine State, in order to assess the situation and
provide support to those in need who are still in Rakhine and to help with
rebuilding efforts. While a few agencies have regained limited access in the
northern part of Rakhine State, UNHCR staff are not currently authorised to
travel outside Maungdaw town.
Meanwhile humanitarian efforts continue in Bangladesh.
Over the weekend, UNHCR and our partners started relocating more than 9,400
refugees who had been living in isolated border locations in Bangladesh, to
Kutupalong refugee camp.
These refugees had initially chosen to stay near the
border to remain close to their homes. Their isolated location also meant that
they received little assistance and had no access to informal education or
medical facilities. The nearest hospital for emergency cases was more than an
hour away.
They agreed to move to Kutupalong refugee settlement
where they could more easily access assistance and basic services.
In the last two days more than four hundred of these
refugees have been taken by buses to Kutupalong camp where they underwent
medical checks, and received hot meals, emergency relief items as well as
shelter kits. They told UNHCR staff they were very happy to be in the camp with
other members of their community, to get help and be able to sleep in peace.
The relocation movements will continue over the next few weeks.
For more information on this topic, please contact:
In Cox’s Bazar, Caroline Gluck, gluck@unhcr.org, +880 187 269 9849
In Bangkok, Vivian Tan, tanv@unhcr.org,
+66 818 270 280
In Geneva, Andrej Mahecic, mahecic@unhcr.org, +41 79 642 97 09