As Bangladesh and Myanmar governments have reached an agreement to repatriate Rohingya refugees, it must be ensured that the entire process meets the international standards, and the Rohingyas' return home is safe and sustainable, said the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
Referring to the first meeting of the Joint Working Group of Bangladesh and Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation, which took place on Monday, the UNHCR said it was willing to be a part of the repatriation discussions in order to ensure that the refugees are heard and their protection guaranteed in Bangladesh and on return in Myanmar, according to a press release issued on Tuesday.
“Before considering return to Myanmar, some Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh have informed UNHCR staff that they would need to see positive developments in relation to their legal status and citizenship, the security situation in Rakhine state, and their ability to enjoy basic rights back home,” UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic said at a press briefing in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday.
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“A comprehensive implementation of the Rakhine Advisory Commission recommendations is essential to ensure sustainable return. These stress the importance of ensuring peace and security for all communities in Rakhine state, reducing communal divisions, and achieving solutions for the legal and citizenship status of Muslim communities. We look to Myanmar to urgently implement these recommendations,” he added.
The UNHCR also demanded urgent unhindered access in Rakhine state in order to assess the situation and provide support to those in need in Rakhine and to help with rebuilding efforts.
At least 655,000 Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh so far to escape military persecution in Rakhine since late August in 2017.
Monday, March 24, 2025
