Bangladesh wants ‘verifiable concrete’ information on Rohingyas from Myanmar

Bangladesh has sought “verifiable concrete information” from Myanmar so that those could be shared with the Rohingya refugees in camps to get them the ‘confidence’ for a return to the Rakhine State.

Both countries agreed in the second meeting of the Joint Working Group held in Dhaka on Thursday to start repatriation soon.

They expressed their resolve to work together for removing obstacles to implement the bilateral instruments on repatriation, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The group was formed to repatriate the Rohingyas who fled an army operation launched in August last year.

Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and his Myanmar counterpart U Myint Thu led their sides in the meeting.

The foreign secretary later told journalists Myanmar also wanted to take the Rohingyas back.

They discussed issues related to safe, dignified and sustainable return of those forcibly displaced Myanmar residents.

The foreign ministry said the Bangladesh emphasised creating “conducive” environment in the Rakhine State including safety and security of the returnees, rebuilding villages, access to livelihood, and freedom of movement.

Both sides shared information on preparations for beginning the repatriation and implementation of the bilateral agreements.

The secretaries discussed details about the involvement of UN agencies, particularly UNHCR and UNDP, in the repatriation process.

Myanmar is in the process of reaching an agreement with the UNHCR, the foreign ministry said.

The meeting also discussed in detail the issue of National Verification Card (NVC) and Bangladesh sought clarification on the NVC process.

Myanmar said with the NVC card, which will be issued immediately upon return, the Rohingya people will be able to pursue job in Rakhine State.