A team from Myanmar is coming to Dhaka to investigate the alleged torture of Rohingyas and an international news agency has reported that repatriation may start from Aug 22.
Work is underway at the Kerantali jetty near the Naf River in Teknaf to facilitate their return. There are unconfirmed reports that repatriation may start soon.
However, Rohingyas still do not know under which conditions they will go back to Myanmar. The government has not issued any official statement as yet on the matter.
Rohingya repatriation commissioner, Mohammad Abul Kalam, observes: “The government is carrying out efforts to repatriate the Rohingyas but we are not aware of the exact date.”
The UNHCR is working on the matter but none of its officials is willing to comment on the issue.
On Saturday (Aug 17), work was seen to be underway at the repatriation jetty but workers avoided the media.
One on-duty Ansar member said: “Work is going on here for some days and we are assisting and have heard that the repatriation may start within a few days.”
Some small huts have also been constructed hastily. Chairman of the Jadimura camp, Abdur Rahman, says: “We want the repatriation to start, but we will go back once WE are assured of trials for previous persecution and citizenship.”
After an attack on Burmese military outpost in August 2017, the army in Myanmar cracked down on the Rohingyas which saw around 700,000 people come to Bangladesh for safety. Currently, around 1.1 million Rohingyas are staying in different camps in Teknaf.
A repatriation deal was signed in 2018 with Nov 15, 2018, set as the date but fear of further violence and the possibility of being incarcerated in camps, compelled Rohingyas to remain in Bangladesh.