Responsibility of Rohingya repatriation lies with Myanmar govt, says US official

A senior US official, who is leading a delegation in Bangladesh, has said that it is the “responsibility” of the Myanmar government to set up process and take back Rohingyas in safe and secure areas.

“Responsibility for repatriation lies with the government of Myanmar,” Acting Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Simon Henshaw said, as Myanmar accused Bangladesh of delaying the process.

“They [Myanmar] are responsible for setting up the process and making sure that they are providing the safe and secure area for people to voluntary return,” he said at a press briefing in Dhaka on Saturday.

State Department’s Spokesperson Heather Nauert and Ambassador to Marcia Bernicat also attended the briefing.

Over 600,000 Rohingyas have crossed border into Bangladesh and taken shelter in crowded settlements in Cox's Bazar since August 25, fleeing ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

Amid international pressure, the Myanmar government agreed to set up a joint working group with Bangladesh to repatriate them as Dhaka has been pressing for their return.

A US delegation led by Henshaw visited Myanmar and then came to Bangladesh and visited Cox’s Bazar camps for two days from Nov 2.

Spokesperson Nauert said the Rohingya issue is a “top priority” of the US administration. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is visiting Myanmar on Nov 15.

The US encourages talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar to continue, says Henshaw

Assistant Secretary Henshaw described the situation “appalling” and said their visit to Myanmar was “eye-opening”.

“It’s a complex crisis. Our visit to Myanmar made that clear,” he said, adding that there are issues related to transition from the military rule to civilian democracy, differences between the communities in Rakhine and issues between the state and central government.

“All these make this very difficult,” he said, adding that they told Myanmar about their “responsibilities” including returning security and stability to Rakhine State, investigate reports of atrocities and bring those responsible to account.

“People have to be allowed to return back to their land and quick efforts need to be made to restore their homes and their villages,” he said, adding that they also spoke about political reconciliation in Rakhine State between groups, during their Myanmar visit, to make any return of Rohigyas successful.

“We call on those who committed them to be held accountable. We also call on Myanmar government to allow access to the press and international organisation on the ground.

Rohingya refugee children sit at the entrance to their shelter in the Balukhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, November 4, 2017.

He said they were constantly evaluating the situation to make any sanctions decision against Myanmar.

“There are disturbing reports of atrocities in Myanmar. We call on full investigations on those reports,” he said, adding that his government in Washington is seized with the issue.

“This is the top issue in the region,” he said.

He said they would encourage talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar to continue.

“…no matter how frustrating for either side, the talks have to continue, that’s very important and we will do what we can do to encourage talks and come to a speedy conclusion and solutions.”

“The US’s role would be to encourage the governments to move forward as fast as possible in establishing a system so that Rohingyas can voluntarily return to their homes in peace and security,” he said.

“We use diplomatic and other efforts to encourage them to do so.”

He said they would apply best of their efforts to bring those responsible for the human rights abuse to account.

Rohingya refugees carry their belongings as they make their way to a refugee camp after crossing the Naf River at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Palang Khali, near Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh November 2, 2017.

Asked whether they find any solution this time to this decades-old crisis, he refused to make any prediction.

“It is without question a very difficult issue. It’s very complex. It has long history and long standing political issues inside Burma.”

He also rejected Myanmar’s claim that Bangladesh government is delaying the repatriation process for the international aid.

“This money does not go the government of Bangladesh. The money goes to the international organizations, which use it directly on the ground for supporting refugees,” he said.

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon is coming to Dhaka to co-lead the ‘US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue’ on Sunday and discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues, including the Rohingya crisis.