Rohingya repatriation begins Jan 23

The repatriation of Rohingyas will begin on January 23 and a list of over 1,200 people have already been provided to Bangladesh, Myanmar information ministry said yesterday quoting its Permanent Secretary of the foreign ministry Myint Thu, who led his country in the first meeting of the joint working group (JWG) talks between the two countries in Naypyidaw on Monday and Tuesday.  

“A bilateral discussion on the physical arrangements for the repatriation process, which will begin on January 23, 2018, was held yesterday,” he was quoted as saying by the website of the information ministry.

“The format of the verification form that will be used during the repatriation was also exchanged at the meeting, with the other side presenting their suggested format while we presented them with our suggested format,” he added.

“The (repatriation) process can be said to have started today, as the high-level officials signed the agreement this morning,” said the secretary.

“At the meeting, we also provided them with a list of 508 Hindus from Myanmar who were displaced to Bangladesh, as well as a list of more than 700 persons who are known to be residing in the northern Rakhine State,” he said.

“We provided these lists so that their side can make the necessary preparations to start the repatriation as soon as possible,” he added.

Myint Thu claimed that the Myanmar side has already arranged to have two repatriation camps ready to accept the returnees.

“The repatriation process will start on January 23, 2018. When this begins, the immigration and population department will assess the verification form sent by the other side. Once it is assessed, it will be returned, and the assessed persons will return via a transit camp,” he said.

Saying that the United Nations, as well as other international organisations, has been exerting pressure on Myanmar over the people who fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar, the secretary noted, “Under the framework agreement, we will conduct the repatriation in three months. We have also signed ToRs to conduct the physical repatriation,” he said.

“This morning too, we signed an agreement on the physical arrangements for the repatriation. These are the positive things our country has done. We are providing proof that we are not slow in cooperating internationally. The successful conclusion of today’s meeting is the result of bilateral cooperation,” said the secretary.

He also said, “We have not set a deadline for the repatriation. The repatriation camps will be open five days a week. Each camp will repatriate 150 persons per day.”

According to the press release issued by the foreign ministry of Bangladesh on the meeting, the repatriation should be completed within two years.

 

 

Rohingya repatriation begins Jan 23

The repatriation of Rohingyas will begin on January 23 and a list of over 1,200 people have already been provided to Bangladesh, Myanmar information ministry said yesterday quoting its Permanent Secretary of the foreign ministry Myint Thu, who led his country in the first meeting of the joint working group (JWG) talks between the two countries in Naypyidaw on Monday and Tuesday. A bilateral discussion on the physical arrangements for the repatriation process, which will begin on January 23, 2018, was held yesterday, he was quoted as saying by the website of the information ministry. The format of the verification form that will be used during the repatriation was also exchanged at the meeting, with the other side presenting their suggested format while we presented them with our suggested format, he added. The (repatriation) process can be said to have started today, as the high-level officials signed the agreement this morning, said the secretary. At the meeting, we also provided them with a list of 508 Hindus from Myanmar who were displaced to Bangladesh, as well as a list of more than 700 persons who are known to be residing in the northern Rakhine State, he said. We provided these lists so that their side can make the necessary preparations to start the repatriation as soon as possible, he added. Myint Thu claimed that the Myanmar side has already arranged to have two repatriation camps ready to accept the returnees. The repatriation process will start on January 23, 2018. When this begins, the immigration and population department will assess the verification form sent by the other side. Once it is assessed, it will be returned, and the assessed persons will return via a transit camp, he said. Saying that the United Nations, as well as other international organisations, has been exerting pressure on Myanmar over the people who fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar, the secretary noted, Under the framework agreement, we will conduct the repatriation in three months. We have also signed ToRs to conduct the physical repatriation, he said. This morning too, we signed an agreement on the physical arrangements for the repatriation. These are the positive things our country has done. We are providing proof that we are not slow in cooperating internationally. The successful conclusion of todays meeting is the result of bilateral cooperation, said the secretary. He also said, We have not set a deadline for the repatriation. The repatriation camps will be open five days a week. Each camp will repatriate 150 persons per day. According to the press release issued by the foreign ministry of Bangladesh on the meeting, the repatriation should be completed within two years.