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Ensure proper rights of Rohingyas

4 || risingbd.com

Published: 09:17, 16 November 2018   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
Ensure proper rights of Rohingyas

Bangladesh and Myanmar were ready to start Rohingya repatriation process on November 15 but it failed at the last moment. Rohingyas in different camps staged demonstrations expressing their unwillingness to return to their homeland although Bangladesh and Myanmar have completed all the necessary preparations, media including risingbd report. In this circumstance, the Rohingya repatriation process looks uncertain.

According to an agreement signed in October between the two countries, there was a talk to send back more than 2,000 Rohingyas to Rakhine. Myanmar officials said they were ready to receive the first Rohingya team. But Bangladesh says, no one will be forced to return. The United Nations’ refugee agency UNHCR has been urged to confirm whether listed Rohingyas want to return to Myanmar.

According to a decision of Bangladesh-Myanmar Joint Working Group, 2261 Rohingyas will return to Myanmar in 15 days by naval way. Myanmar will receive 150 Rohingyas every day. Bangladesh completed all preparations for repatriation, according to the previous announcement. Buses were arranged for their transport in a bid send back them to Myanmar.

Officials of Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commission talked to the Rohingyas who were listed for repatriation. A concerned official said, we had a plan to use the Ghumdhum point of Naikkhongchhari for repatriation. Everything was ready including food for three days. But at noon, the Rohingyas began demonstration to press home for a five-point demand.

If their five-point demand is fulfilled, they will return to the country. They want proper security. They do not believe Myanmar officials. They request the United Nations so that Myanmar authorities give them citizenship identity cards.

As a result, the entire process of repatriation has become uncertain. It can be here mentioned that there was an objection from the international community, including the United Nations on repatriation. The United Nations and Western countries said that repatriation process should begin after taking steps to ensure proper rehabilitation and security.

Bangladesh has been informed by Myanmar that the government of India has constructed 285 houses for the Rohingya people who will return to Myanmar under the repatriation process. The Chinese government has sent materials for one thousand houses. It was expected that the repatriation of the first team would bring a speed in the total repatriation process. Now the beginning of repatriation process has again become uncertain.

It should be considered why Rohingyas do not want to return to their country. They need security and good environment. It is necessary to ensure the matter so that Rohingyas can get all kind of rights in their own country.

We believe that Myanmar will have to take effective actions so that Rohingyas can live in their country safely. This is the moral responsibility of Myanmar.

Myanmar should not take any trick about their citizenship and should take steps so that Rohingyas can gain confidence. Side-by-side, the international community should put pressure on Myanmar over the issue.



risingbd / Dhaka / Nov 16, 2018 / Ali Nowsher/Mukul

 

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