Bangladesh going slow on Rohingya repatriation to ensure their safety

The state minister for foreign affairs has said the government is going slow on the repatriation of the Rohingya refugees because it wants to ensure their safety and dignified rehabilitation in Myanmar.

Md Shahriar Alam spoke to the media about the government position after accompanying a European Union delegation during their visit to a refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar on Monday.

Bangladesh has sheltered over a million Rohingyas, who fled persecution in Myanmar.

In an agreement signed on Nov 23 last year, the two countries set a target of two months to start the process of repatriating the around 700,000 refugees who fled Myanmar since Aug 25 last year.        

But, Bangladesh has delayed the start of the process responding to the concerns over their safety and security.

Refugee Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Abul Kalam said, "There had been many things like the list of people to be sent back, their verification and setting up of transit camps are yet to be done”.

Many international groups have criticised the plan to send back the Rohingyas to Myanmar where they face persecution.

Bangladesh, however, said it will ensure voluntary return of the Rohingyas and later included the UN refugee agency UNHCR in the process.

Shahriar said, “The repatriation has been delayed as the process to ensure the Rohingyas’ safety and dignified stay in Myanmar is under way."

“That’s why Bangladesh has included the UNHCR to the repatriation process,” he added.    

The state minister said the government was working to ensure that the Rohingya repatriation process faces no stumble after it starts.

“If the Rohingyas flee into Bangladesh again once the repatriation process begins, the work to send them back will be difficult,” he said.

“The government emphasises finishing the process properly even if it is delayed,” he added.

The state minister, however, would not say how long it may take for the repatriation to start.