Rohingya repatriation to begin in ‘2 months’

Joint working group in 3 weeks as Bangladesh, Myanmar ink deal

Amidst suspicion over the intent of Myanmar, Dhaka and Naypyidaw yesterday struck an ‘instrument’ on the repatriation of the Rohingyas, who had to take shelter in Bangladesh to escape from the appalling atrocities committed by their security forces, local Buddhist mobs and people belonging to other ethnic groups, will begin within two months. Under the deal, a joint working group will be constituted within 21 days from yesterday. While welcoming the signing of the deal cautiously, senior officials of the government and a former foreign minister said that given the past record of Myanmar, they cannot be sure whether Myanmar will stick to it.

It will be very good for everybody if the deal is implemented to facilitate the Rohingyas in returning to their homes with safety and dignity, they said.

“Of course, we applaud the development,” immediate-past foreign minister and chair of the parliamentary standing committee on the foreign ministry Dr Dipu Moni told The Independent yesterday.

At the same time, she placed great emphasis on the implementation of the deal.        

More than 6.22 lakh Rohingyas, who are described as the world’s most persecuted community, crossed into Bangladesh since August 25 to join 4.5 lakh already living in the country for a long time.

“Bangladesh and Myanmar signed ‘Arrangement’ on return of displaced Myanmar persons sheltered in Bangladesh on November 23, 2017 in Naypyidaw,” said a press release issued by the foreign ministry.

Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali signed the bilateral instrument for Bangladesh while Myanmar minister Kyaw Tint Swe signed it on behalf of his government at office of Myanmar’s state counsellor, Aung San

Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Bangladesh’s second neighbour.

“The bilateral instrument was being negotiated by officials of the two countries for the last couple of months. On the morning of November 22, 2017 in Naypyidaw, the senior officials of both countries negotiated the draft at their level,” said the release.

Later in the afternoon, it said that foreign minister Ali and Myanmar minister attached with the state counsellor’s office Kyaw Tint Swe resolved the remaining issues and finalised the draft after discussion, it said.

“The ‘Arrangement’ stipulates that the return shall commence within two months. A Joint Working Group will be established within three weeks of signing the ‘Arrangement’. A specific bilateral instrument (physical arrangement) for repatriation will be concluded in a speedy manner,” said the release.

The foreign minister called on the state counsellor in the morning and discussed issues of mutual cooperation e.g. trade, energy and connectivity under BCIM.

During the visit, foreign minister Ali and Myanmar minister Swe also exchanged the long awaited “Instrument of Ratification” of the agreement on demarcation of the land section of the boundary north of the Naaf River concluded in 1998.

The two countries also signed “Supplementary Protocol on the demarcation of a fixed boundary in the Naaf River” earlier agreed in 2007. Minister Ali also handed over three ambulances for Rakhine State as gift from Bangladesh.

About the signing of the ‘arrangement’, senior officials hoped that this is not going be any kind of ‘trick’ played by Myanmar against the backdrop of huge international pressure.

“Look, this Rohingya problem was not created overnight. We’ve been dealing with this issue for nearly 40 years,” a top government official said.

“Myanmar is a very difficult country to deal with because they change their positions quite frequently,” he said, referring to repeated assurance by the Myanmar hierarchies including its presidents at different times. “But, nothing has happened yet,” he added.

Referring to a decision taken at the foreign office consultations in Dhaka in 2014, a senior official said, “The repatriation was supposed to begin within two months of that meeting and the process will begin with 2,415 Rohingyas who were earlier cleared by the Myanmar authorities.” “But, as we all know there is no development so far,” he said.

Another senior official clearly said, “I’ll believe on the day I’ll see the first Rohingya has gone to his or her home in Rakhine.”

Rohingya repatriation to begin in 2 months

Joint working group in 3 weeks as Bangladesh, Myanmar ink deal

Amidst suspicion over the intent of Myanmar, Dhaka and Naypyidaw yesterday struck an instrument on the repatriation of the Rohingyas, who had to take shelter in Bangladesh to escape from the appalling atrocities committed by their security forces, local Buddhist mobs and people belonging to other ethnic groups, will begin within two months. Under the deal, a joint working group will be constituted within 21 days from yesterday. While welcoming the signing of the deal cautiously, senior officials of the government and a former foreign minister said that given the past record of Myanmar, they cannot be sure whether Myanmar will stick to it. It will be very good for everybody if the deal is implemented to facilitate the Rohingyas in returning to their homes with safety and dignity, they said. Of course, we applaud the development, immediate-past foreign minister and chair of the parliamentary standing committee on the foreign ministry Dr Dipu Moni told The Independent yesterday. At the same time, she placed great emphasis on the implementation of the deal. More than 6.22 lakh Rohingyas, who are described as the worlds most persecuted community, crossed into Bangladesh since August 25 to join 4.5 lakh already living in the country for a long time. Bangladesh and Myanmar signed Arrangement on return of displaced Myanmar persons sheltered in Bangladesh on November 23, 2017 in Naypyidaw, said a press release issued by the foreign ministry. Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali signed the bilateral instrument for Bangladesh while Myanmar minister Kyaw Tint Swe signed it on behalf of his government at office of Myanmars state counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Bangladeshs second neighbour. The bilateral instrument was being negotiated by officials of the two countries for the last couple of months. On the morning of November 22, 2017 in Naypyidaw, the senior officials of both countries negotiated the draft at their level, said the release. Later in the afternoon, it said that foreign minister Ali and Myanmar minister attached with the state counsellors office Kyaw Tint Swe resolved the remaining issues and finalised the draft after discussion, it said. The Arrangement stipulates that the return shall commence within two months. A Joint Working Group will be established within three weeks of signing the Arrangement. A specific bilateral instrument (physical arrangement) for repatriation will be concluded in a speedy manner, said the release. The foreign minister called on the state counsellor in the morning and discussed issues of mutual cooperation e.g. trade, energy and connectivity under BCIM. During the visit, foreign minister Ali and Myanmar minister Swe also exchanged the long awaited Instrument of Ratification of the agreement on demarcation of the land section of the boundary north of the Naaf River concluded in 1998. The two countries also signed Supplementary Protocol on the demarcation of a fixed boundary in the Naaf River earlier agreed in 2007. Minister Ali also handed over three ambulances for Rakhine State as gift from Bangladesh. About the signing of the arrangement, senior officials hoped that this is not going be any kind of trick played by Myanmar against the backdrop of huge international pressure. Look, this Rohingya problem was not created overnight. Weve been dealing with this issue for nearly 40 years, a top government official said. Myanmar is a very difficult country to deal with because they change their positions quite frequently, he said, referring to repeated assurance by the Myanmar hierarchies including its presidents at different times. But, nothing has happened yet, he added. Referring to a decision taken at the foreign office consultations in Dhaka in 2014, a senior official said, The repatriation was supposed to begin within two months of that meeting and the process will begin with 2,415 Rohingyas who were earlier cleared by the Myanmar authorities. But, as we all know there is no development so far, he said. Another senior official clearly said, Ill believe on the day Ill see the first Rohingya has gone to his or her home in Rakhine.