ROHINGYA repatriation to myanmar

A long history of breaking pledges

2,415 Rohingyas verified by Myanmar as their nationals in 2011 are yet to be repatriated

Amidst talks of Myanmar’s apparent intention to take back its people, known as Rohingyas, diplomatic sources concerned have warned that Bangladesh’s second neighbour has a long history of breaking promises. With regard to taking back Rohingyas, Myanmar can only be believed when the first Rohingya will return to his or her home in a secure environment with dignity, they said while talking to The Independent.

Since August 25, over six lakh Rohingyas have crossed into Bangladesh to escape from the brutalities of the Myanmar security forces and local Buddhist mobs. This figure is in addition to about 4.5 lakh refugees already living in the country for years. “The last repatriation of Rohingyas took place in 2005 leaving roughly 30,000 registered refugees in two camps in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar. Since then, I simply stopped counting how many times Myanmar has pledged to take their nationals back,” a senior diplomat said.

“I will only believe when I will be able to see the return of first Rohingya to Rakhine,” he said.

Several of his colleges have been in full agreement in this regard.

The sources pointed out that a sort of ‘hype’ has been created in last few days in the country following the visit of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to Myanmar on the prospect of Rohingya repatriation.

But, they added that the country experienced similar ‘excitement’ before without any result.

Myanmar’s expression of apparent intention can be quite logically questioned by the fact that they are talking about taking their people back, but at the same time their security forces are continuing atrocities against the Rohingya Muslims.

“This is not what we are saying. The United Nations is saying that serious violations are still on in Rakhine and the Myanmar government is not granting access to UN agencies and others to the affected areas,” said another senior diplomat.

“Is it possible that a country will express intention to take its people back and simultaneously will carry out activities to cleanse a community?” he posed a question.

To a question, the sources said that despite Myanmar’s repeated broken promises, Bangladesh has no choice but to remain engaged with them bilaterally and internationally so that this time round Naypyidaw lives up to its pledge.

On October 9, when Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali was asked about Myanmar’s commitment to take Rohingyas back and the ongoing atrocities on the ground, he appeared a ‘bit lost for words’ to provide an answer. When asked if he trusts Myanmar, he avoided a direct answer, saying, “The job will have to be done.”  

On Wednesday evening, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque, after meeting with the Chinese envoy, told reporters, “We will see when it(repatriation) will happen.” However, he added, “We see some positive signs.”

According to the diplomatic sources, since 2005, in every bilateral meeting the Myanmar side assured of taking their people back, but nothing has happened yet. Even, they did not take back 2,415 Rohingya refugees, who were verified by the Myanmar authorities as their nationals. The sources mentioned some of the recent pledges made by Myanmar hierarchies including their president and de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi that were not kept.

In 2011, during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit, the then Myanmar president Thein Sein assured of taking back Rohingyas after verification in accordance with the agreed modalities between the two countries.       

In the subsequent meetings including foreign office consultations, the Myanmar side said the same thing. On August 31, 2014, during the foreign office consultations, Myanmar agreed to put in place a process within two months to repatriate 2,415 refugees, who were verified as Myanmar nationals by the authorities of that country in 2011.

It was also agreed that a joint working group involving different agencies of the two governments would be constituted within this period to deal with the process.

And, Bangladesh completed the formation of its part of the joint working group at the end of November, 2014. But, nothing was done on the part of Myanmar.

Given the long history of broken promises by Myanmar, no one can be blamed to be doubtful about its intention, said the sources. “To remove the doubt, Myanmar can at least do three certain things – immediate repatriation of 2,415 Rohingya refugees verified by them, ending violence in Rakhine and granting unfettered access to UN agencies and others to the affected areas,” said another senior diplomat.

ROHINGYA repatriation to myanmar

A long history of breaking pledges

2,415 Rohingyas verified by Myanmar as their nationals in 2011 are yet to be repatriated

Amidst talks of Myanmars apparent intention to take back its people, known as Rohingyas, diplomatic sources concerned have warned that Bangladeshs second neighbour has a long history of breaking promises. With regard to taking back Rohingyas, Myanmar can only be believed when the first Rohingya will return to his or her home in a secure environment with dignity, they said while talking to The Independent. Since August 25, over six lakh Rohingyas have crossed into Bangladesh to escape from the brutalities of the Myanmar security forces and local Buddhist mobs. This figure is in addition to about 4.5 lakh refugees already living in the country for years. The last repatriation of Rohingyas took place in 2005 leaving roughly 30,000 registered refugees in two camps in Ukhiya upazila of Coxs Bazar. Since then, I simply stopped counting how many times Myanmar has pledged to take their nationals back, a senior diplomat said. I will only believe when I will be able to see the return of first Rohingya to Rakhine, he said. Several of his colleges have been in full agreement in this regard. The sources pointed out that a sort of hype has been created in last few days in the country following the visit of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to Myanmar on the prospect of Rohingya repatriation. But, they added that the country experienced similar excitement before without any result. Myanmars expression of apparent intention can be quite logically questioned by the fact that they are talking about taking their people back, but at the same time their security forces are continuing atrocities against the Rohingya Muslims. This is not what we are saying. The United Nations is saying that serious violations are still on in Rakhine and the Myanmar government is not granting access to UN agencies and others to the affected areas, said another senior diplomat. Is it possible that a country will express intention to take its people back and simultaneously will carry out activities to cleanse a community? he posed a question. To a question, the sources said that despite Myanmars repeated broken promises, Bangladesh has no choice but to remain engaged with them bilaterally and internationally so that this time round Naypyidaw lives up to its pledge. On October 9, when Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali was asked about Myanmars commitment to take Rohingyas back and the ongoing atrocities on the ground, he appeared a bit lost for words to provide an answer. When asked if he trusts Myanmar, he avoided a direct answer, saying, The job will have to be done. On Wednesday evening, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque, after meeting with the Chinese envoy, told reporters, We will see when it(repatriation) will happen. However, he added, We see some positive signs. According to the diplomatic sources, since 2005, in every bilateral meeting the Myanmar side assured of taking their people back, but nothing has happened yet. Even, they did not take back 2,415 Rohingya refugees, who were verified by the Myanmar authorities as their nationals. The sources mentioned some of the recent pledges made by Myanmar hierarchies including their president and de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi that were not kept. In 2011, during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas visit, the then Myanmar president Thein Sein assured of taking back Rohingyas after verification in accordance with the agreed modalities between the two countries. In the subsequent meetings including foreign office consultations, the Myanmar side said the same thing. On August 31, 2014, during the foreign office consultations, Myanmar agreed to put in place a process within two months to repatriate 2,415 refugees, who were verified as Myanmar nationals by the authorities of that country in 2011. It was also agreed that a joint working group involving different agencies of the two governments would be constituted within this period to deal with the process. And, Bangladesh completed the formation of its part of the joint working group at the end of November, 2014. But, nothing was done on the part of Myanmar. Given the long history of broken promises by Myanmar, no one can be blamed to be doubtful about its intention, said the sources. To remove the doubt, Myanmar can at least do three certain things immediate repatriation of 2,415 Rohingya refugees verified by them, ending violence in Rakhine and granting unfettered access to UN agencies and others to the affected areas, said another senior diplomat.