Myanmar has urged Bangladesh to start the repatriation of 1101 verified Rohingyas out of 8,032 persons received from Bangladesh amidst a slow verification process of Rohingyas, diplomatic sources said.
Myanmar also wants to take earlier verified as many as 778 Muslims and 444 Hindus.
Bangladesh, however, emphasized on ‘verifiable concrete information’on security situation in the ground from Myanmar so that it could be shared with the Rohingyas in Bangladesh for building their confidence to go back to Northern Rakhine in Myanmar.
Bangladesh wants Myanmar to create a ‘conducive environment’ in Rakhine state, including safety and security of the returnees, government steps for rebuilding of villages, access to livelihood, freedom of movement and so on, said an official.
Bangladesh and Myanmar signed the repatriation
agreement on November 23, 2017. On January 16, Bangladesh and Myanmar also signed a document on ‘Physical Arrangement’ which will facilitate the return of Rohingyas to their homeland from Bangladesh.
The ‘Physical Arrangement’ stipulates that the repatriation will be completed preferably within two years from the start of repatriation.
After the second joint working group meeting in Dhaka on Thursday, the Myanmar side claimed that they were ready to receive the verified Rohingyas from Bangladesh, according to Myanmar media reports.
The third joint working group meeting will be held in Nay Pyi Taw and the dates and venue will be communicated through the diplomatic channel.
During the second working group meeting, both sides exchanged views on the repatriation process, including conducive environment, safety and security for the prospective returnees. They also talked on current situation of the Rohingyas Bangladesh, dissemination of information among the returnees and confidence building, and involvement of the United Nations agencies in the process of repatriation and resettlement.
The Myanmar side urged the Bangladeshi side to provide information on its readiness to start the repatriation process, including completion of transit camps on the Bangladeshi side. It also laid emphasis on promotion of awareness among the prospective returnees on the bilateral agreements between the two countries and the agreed verification forms to be shared with them.
The JWG discussed all the issues related to safe, dignified and sustainable return of the forcibly displaced Myanmar residents.
Both sides exchanged information on the preparation for starting the repatriation and implementation of bilateral agreements signed between the two countries.
The JWG discussed relevant details as to the involvement of UN agencies, particularly UNHCR and UNDP, by both countries in the repatriation process. Myanmar is in the process of reaching an agreement with the UNHCR.
The meeting elaborately discussed the issue of National Verification Card.
Bangladesh sought clarification on the NVC process.
Myanmar assured that with the NVC card, which will be issued immediately upon return, the returnees will be able to pursue jobs in Rakhine, according to the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka.
Both sides agreed to start the repatriation soon and expressed their resolve to work together for removing obstacles to implement the bilateral instruments on repatriation. But the action of the Myanmar government shows it is blocking the return of Rohingyas by restricting verification of the refugees in a way that deny a meaningful repatriation.
