Joint Statement
However, we are deeply concerned that (i) the MOU did not
address the root causes of the Rohingya crisis, particularly the issue of
Rohingya citizenship and ethnic identity, (ii) refugee representative has not
been involved although the Rohingya have the right to know about the agreement
relating to the process of repatriation, rehabilitation, reintegration and
rebuilding of their bulldozed homes and their future, (iii) the texts of the
MOU have not been made public leaving the international community in dark that
calls into question.
June 10, 2018
We the undersigned Rohingya organisations worldwide note
the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by UNHCR, UNDP, and the
Myanmar government to support the creation of conditions conducive to the
voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees from
Bangladesh to their homes in Arakan/Rakhine State.
This is not the first repatriation agreement Myanmar has
signed. All previous records showed that the UN agencies, including UNHCR as
the agent of the interest of the international community, could not provide
adequate protection to the Rohingya returnees due to obstinacy of the Myanmar
government. We are intrinsically aware of the false promises of the Myanmar
authorities who are characterized by cheating and brutality.
Repatriation is a life and death question for the whole
Rohingya people. The refugees require full international protection and
guarantee of their safety, dignity, and full citizenship and all accompanying
rights enabling them to live in Arakan/Rakhine State as equals, with their
recognized ethnic identity, as an indigenous people.
We reiterate that Myanmar is the most brutal regime in
the world that is engaged in genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Despite being homesick the refugees are unwilling to return, as there is no
change of attitude of the Myanmar authorities towards Rohingya people. The
conditions for well-founded fear of persecution continue to exist for those who
still remain in Rakhine State, where they are forced to live in confined
villages, ghettos and concentration camps, away from their homes, virtually
with no rights of man, no education, ability to work and to survive, not to
mention those who might seek to return. They could not trust the Myanmar government
and military that have killed, raped, and starved them with hundreds of their
villages razed, their land taken and homesteads bulldozed.
In order for safe, dignified and sustainable
repatriation, rehabilitation, reintegration and rebuilding of their bulldozed
homes, Rohingya need international protection by state and regional actors, as
well as UN peace-keeping forces for their “protected return to their protected
homeland” in Northern Rakhine State.
Last but not least, there must be accountability and
perpetrators of crimes must be brought to justice and referred to International
Criminal Court (ICC).
Signatories:
Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO)
Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK)
British Rohingya Community in UK
Burmese Rohingya Community in Denmark
Burmese Rohingya Association Japan (BRAJ)
Rohingya Advocacy Network in Japan
Arakan Rohingya Development Association – Australia
(ARDA)
Burmese Rohingya Community Australia (BRCA)
Burmese Rohingya Association in Queensland-Australia
(BRAQA)
Canadian Burmese Rohingya Organisation
Canadian Rohingya Development Initiative
European Rohingya Council (ERC)
Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation in
Malaysia (MERHROM)
Rohingya American Society
Rohingya Arakanese Refugee Committee
Rohingya Association of Canada
Rohingya Community in Germany
Rohingya Community Ireland
Rohingya Community in Switzerland
Rohingya Community in Finland
Rohingya Community in Sweden
Rohingya Organisation Norway
Rohingya Society Malaysia (RSM)
Rohingya Society Netherlands
For more information, please contact:
Tun Khin (Mobile): +44 7888714866
Nay San Lwin (Mobile): +49 69 26022349
Zaw Min Htut (Mobile): +8180 30835327
Ko Ko Linn (Mobile): +880 1726 068413