This is the first communication after the
repatriation attempt failed on Nov 15
Following the November 15 failed attempt to
begin the Rohingya repatriation process, Bangladesh has communicated with
Myanmar to reiterate the concerns of the refugees on Sunday.
Dhaka asked Yangon to address the concerns
that refugees have to facilitate the safe, voluntary and dignified return of
the persecuted people from Rakhine, diplomats in both Dhaka and Yangon told
Dhaka Tribune on Sunday.
A note verbale (government to government
diplomatic communication), containing the issues to be addressed has recently
been sent to the Myanmar government; they said requesting anonymity as they
were not authorized to officially speak to the media.
This has been the first official
communication between the two governments after the failed attempt to begin the
repatriation on November 15, said the diplomats.
“Yes, after the failed attempt, we have sent
a note verbale to the Myanmar authorities to address the issues that were
raised by the Rohingyas,” a senior diplomat at the embassy in Yangon told this
correspondent over phone.
When asked about the content, he said that
all the aspects concerning Rohingyas, especially verifiable safety and security
in the short term, and citizenship in the long run has been mentioned in the
letter.
“Let’s see what they come up with,” said the
diplomat.
When contacted, Ambassador to Myanmar
Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury said: “We are always intent on engaging with
Myanmar, the international community and the Rohingyas.”
A senior Foreign Ministry official said: “We
have just informed what needs to be done on the other side of the border to
begin the repatriation without any problem,”
Dhaka is waiting for the reply, they said,
stressing that living up to the pledges has never been Myanmar’s strong point.
In accordance with a decision taken by the
Bangladesh-Myanmar joint working group on repatriation on October 30 in Dhaka,
the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas, who had to cross into
Cox’s Bazar to escape the unprecedented atrocities orchestrated by the Myanmar
security forces, local Buddhist mobs and people from other ethnic groups in
Rakhine, was supposed to begin on November 15 with the persecuted people
earlier cleared by the authorities in Naypyitaw.
But, the repatriation could not go ahead due
to the reluctance of the Rohingyas, who believe that the condition in Rakhine
was unfavourable for their return.
Source: Dhaka Tribune