Bangladesh has said the Rohingya
unwillingness to return to their homeland stems from the failure of Myanmar to
keep its end of the bargain.
“As per bilateral instruments on
repatriation, the responsibility of encouraging the displaced people to opt for
voluntary return lies entirely on Myanmar,” the foreign office said in a
statement.
“It is Myanmar’s responsibility to
create a conducive environment in Rakhine through decisive actions and to
reduce trust-deficit of Rohingyas through appropriate measures including
dissemination of authentic information on the ground reality.
“The non-commencement of repatriation
due to unwillingness of the people concerned could therefore be attributed to
the failure of the Government of Myanmar in fulfilling its obligations,” it
said.
The statement followed the
postponement of the latest repatriation process which was scheduled to begin on
Aug 22, three days before the anniversary of the launch of a a massive
military-led crackdown that forced over 740,000 Rohingyas to flee the Rakhine
State in 2017.
Bangladesh and Myanmar have signed
deals following which two attempts have been made to start voluntary return.
But none wanted to go back.
Myanmar has been accusing Bangladesh
of “non-cooperation”, a claim that the foreign ministry found “ill-motivated
and totally unacceptable”.
“The government of Bangladesh maintains
its principled position of not preventing anyone, regardless of one’s ethnic
and religious identity, who intends to return to Myanmar anytime.”
“In fact, the government of Myanmar
needs to take decisive actions with demonstrable political will to reasonably
address the core concerns of Rohingyas in line with the spirit and provisions
of the bilateral instruments on repatriation and the recommendations of the
“Advisory Commission on Rakhine State” in order to create a conducive
environment for return in northern Rakhine.
“The government of Myanmar must also
assume its responsibility to encourage Rohingyas to opt for voluntary return by
sharing authentic information with them in all possible ways.
“Unsubstantiated claims on the part of
the government of Myanmar are not going to contribute to repatriation,” the
foreign ministry said, describing the background of the latest failed
repatriation bid.
Bangladesh agreed to facilitate the
commencement of repatriation on Aug 22 in view of Myanmar’s repeated claim that
they are prepared to receive them, the statement said.
And it was also due to the recent
interactions of a high-level delegation from Myanmar with the representatives
of displaced people at camps in Cox’s Bazar on July 27-28 to convince the
displaced people to return, it said.
Following that, the government handed
the list of 3,450 individuals so far verified by Myanmar to UNHCR through the
United Nations resident coordinator in Dhaka on Aug 8 to ascertain whether
these people are ready to return voluntarily to northern Rakhine under the
present circumstances, according to the statement.
The government of Bangladesh ensured
all necessary arrangements in Bangladesh side including security and logistics
for voluntary return of the Rohingya to northern Rakhine, it said.
Out of the 3,450 Rohingya cleared by
Bangladesh, UNHCR interviewed 339 families comprising 1,276 individuals till
Aug 22, the foreign ministry said.
“In the interview process, all
available information and the fact-sheets provided by the government of Myanmar
were shared with the families concerned.
“Moreover, adequate measures including
security arrangements were ensured so that the people concerned could freely
express their intent.
“Unfortunately, none of the families
interviewed agreed to return in the present circumstances, as they consider the
security situation and overall environment in Rakhine not yet conducive to
their return.
“Almost all the families interviewed
expressed their deep concern over the security situation in Rakhine.
“Overwhelming majority of the families
underscored the lack of progress in addressing justice and rights related
issues including citizenship, freedom of movement, and land-use rights.
“All families interviewed have
reaffirmed their desire to return, once their concerns are reasonably addressed
by the Government of Myanmar.
“Diplomats from Chinese and Myanmar
Embassies in Dhaka were present in Cox’s Bazar on 21-22 August 2019 to monitor
the entire repatriation process, including the preparations of the Government
of Bangladesh.
“During the recent interactions with
the high-level delegation from Myanmar led by Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 27-28 July 2019, the representatives of the
displaced Myanmar Residents called for international civilian monitors’
presence in northern Rakhine to guarantee security and to monitor the
repatriation and reintegration process.
“Myanmar delegation also agreed to
continue dialogues with the displaced people at frequent intervals to find
mutually acceptable solutions, at the earliest possible, on core issues
including granting of fundamental rights and citizenship.
“Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh
expressed utter dismay that Myanmar delegation was unable to report any
progress concerning citizenship, rights, and security for their return to
northern Rakhine.”
The Bangladesh government urged
Myanmar to “fully concentrate” on implementation of its obligations and
commitments necessary for a durable solution of the problem.
“The government of Myanmar should
seriously consider a comprehensive engagement of the international community in
the creating of an environment conducive for their return as well as in the
monitoring of repatriation and reintegration process in Myanmar.”
Source: BDNEWS24