Bangladesh has strongly protested the Myanmar allegation that the host country is not cooperating in the repatriation process.
“Accusing Bangladesh of non-cooperation in the repatriation effort by a party who is fully responsible for the protracted crisis is baseless, ill-motivated and totally unacceptable,” the foreign ministry said in a statement issued on Sunday (Aug 25).
A second attempt to start repatriating the Rohingyas living in Cox’s Bazar camps stalled on Aug 22 after the refugees refused to go back to Rakhine, almost a year after a similar effort failed amid protests.
Bangladesh has urged Myanmar to implement its obligations and commitments for a durable solution to the problem.
As per bilateral instruments on repatriation, the responsibility of encouraging the displaced people to opt for the voluntary return lies entirely on Myanmar.
It is Myanmar’s responsibility to create a conducive environment in Rakhine through decisive actions and to reduce trust-deficit of Rohingyas, the press release added.
“The non-commencement of repatriation due to the unwillingness of the people concerned could, therefore, be attributed to the failure of the Government of Myanmar in fulfilling its obligations.”
Myanmar needs to take decisive actions to reasonably address the core concerns of Rohingyas and assume its responsibility to encourage Rohingyas to opt for voluntary return by sharing authentic information with them.
“Unsubstantiated claims on the part of the Government of Myanmar are not going to contribute to repatriation.”
The statement said UNHCR interviewed 339 Rohingya families till Aug 22, and none agreed to return in the present circumstances, as they consider the security situation and overall environment in Rakhine not yet conducive for their return.
Diplomats from Chinese and Myanmar Embassies in Dhaka were present in Cox’s Bazar on Aug 21-22 to monitor the entire repatriation process, including the preparations of Bangladesh.
Myanmar should seriously consider a comprehensive engagement of the international community in the creating of an environment conducive for the return of Rohingya people who have taken shelter in Bangladesh.
The ministry is of the view that the international community should also be engaged in the monitoring of repatriation and reintegration process in Myanmar.