Rohingyas want to see security, rights ensured before return Myanmar: UNHCR

Rohingyas who fled from the persecution of Myanmar security forces want to see a positive development including citizenship, security, and scope for enjoying their basic rights before they return to their country from Bangladesh, the UNHCR said recently.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which has been collecting information on Rohingya refugees’ views on return, in its weekly operational update from December 27, 2017 to January 7, 2017, on the refugee crisis said that “some refugees have also asked for reassurances about UNHCR’s involvement in the process.”

Around 655,000 Rohingya refugees, of whom children make up approximately 58 percent (379,900), according to Unicef, have sought safety in various camps in Bangladesh since August 25 when violence began in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, a total of USD 71.2 million was received which is 85% of the request (USD 83.7 million) from donor international bodies and countries as an initial emergency response, the UNHCR said.

On 23 November 2017, the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a bilateral ‘arrangement’ on the return of refugees to Myanmar. A Joint Working Group (JWG) consisting of government representatives from Myanmar and Bangladesh was subsequently formed on 19 December 2018. 

The JWG is tasked to develop a specific instrument on the physical arrangement for the repatriation of returnees.

Source: thedailystar