UNB, Dhaka :
The UN Refugee Agency on Friday said Rohingyas living in Bangladesh will need accurate information about the conditions in the areas of their origin and ultimately, their decision about their future must be their own well-informed choice.
“Many of their homes and villages have been torched and destroyed. Deep divisions between communities remain unaddressed and humanitarian access is inadequate. It is critical that the returns are not rushed or premature,” said UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards at a press briefing in Geneva.
At present Rohingyas are still arriving in Bangladesh and restoring peace and stability, ensuring full humanitarian access as well as addressing of the root causes of displacement are important pre-conditions to ensuring that returns are aligned with international standards, said the UNHCR. The Spokesperson said they will continue their discussions on the details of the arrangement with both governments in the coming weeks and months. “These discussions should also bring clarity on UNHCR’s role in the voluntary returns process and address the most pressing challenges to the arrangement, including its scope, timeframe, and eligibility criteria,” Edwards said. The Spokesperson said UNHCR is prepared to help both governments work towards a solution for the Rohingyas currently in Bangladesh that meets international refugee and human rights standards, and, crucially,
ensures that the voices of refugees are represented throughout this process.
On November 23, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an instrument on the voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas.
Initial discussions between UNHCR and the Bangladeshi authorities over anticipated arrangements have yet to happen, but currently they are working towards this. “As we have stated previously, all refugees have the right to return, but this should happen voluntarily and only when people feel the time and circumstances are right,” said the Spokesperson. The UNHCR was not a party to the agreement but it is referenced in the document text.
The arrangement refers to the establishing of a Joint Working Group within three weeks of the signing or by 14 December.
The UN Refugee Agency on Friday said Rohingyas living in Bangladesh will need accurate information about the conditions in the areas of their origin and ultimately, their decision about their future must be their own well-informed choice.
“Many of their homes and villages have been torched and destroyed. Deep divisions between communities remain unaddressed and humanitarian access is inadequate. It is critical that the returns are not rushed or premature,” said UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards at a press briefing in Geneva.
At present Rohingyas are still arriving in Bangladesh and restoring peace and stability, ensuring full humanitarian access as well as addressing of the root causes of displacement are important pre-conditions to ensuring that returns are aligned with international standards, said the UNHCR. The Spokesperson said they will continue their discussions on the details of the arrangement with both governments in the coming weeks and months. “These discussions should also bring clarity on UNHCR’s role in the voluntary returns process and address the most pressing challenges to the arrangement, including its scope, timeframe, and eligibility criteria,” Edwards said. The Spokesperson said UNHCR is prepared to help both governments work towards a solution for the Rohingyas currently in Bangladesh that meets international refugee and human rights standards, and, crucially,
ensures that the voices of refugees are represented throughout this process.
On November 23, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an instrument on the voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas.
Initial discussions between UNHCR and the Bangladeshi authorities over anticipated arrangements have yet to happen, but currently they are working towards this. “As we have stated previously, all refugees have the right to return, but this should happen voluntarily and only when people feel the time and circumstances are right,” said the Spokesperson. The UNHCR was not a party to the agreement but it is referenced in the document text.
The arrangement refers to the establishing of a Joint Working Group within three weeks of the signing or by 14 December.
