Commenting on reports today that the repatriation of
Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Myanmar will begin in mid-November, Oxfam’s
head of regional advocacy for the Rohingya crisis, Rachael Reilly said from
Yangon, Myanmar:
“It is deeply concerning that Rohingya people may be sent
back to Myanmar to face the same persecution they fled.
“Refugees in Cox’s Bazar are telling us they want to go
home but are frightened that it is too dangerous – they want to see justice
served and an end to the violence and discrimination that have caused this
crisis.
“The Government of Bangladesh has made clear its
commitment to refugees only going home voluntarily when conditions are safe.
The international community needs to step up diplomatic pressure on Myanmar to
grant equal rights to the Rohingya, while continuing to support Bangladesh to
assist all those in need.”
Notes to editors
Oxfam urges that any return of refugees must be in line
with international standards and monitored by UNHCR, the UN refugee
agency. UNHCR is saying that conditions
in Myanmar are not conducive for return and any decisions about return must be
made by the refugees themselves when they feel the time and circumstances are
right.
Oxfam is urging the Government of Myanmar to allow
humanitarian aid to reach those in need and grant equal rights to Rohingya
people – including citizenship and lifting movement restrictions that prevent
people from seeing a doctor or finding work.
Oxfam is supporting Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and
providing life-saving aid to more than 150,000 people affected by conflict and
natural disaster across Myanmar.
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