UNB, Dhaka :
Rohingyas, forced to flee to Bangladesh from their homeland, are still struggling for their rights, security and dignity.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, local, national and international non-government organisations (NGOs) expressed their concerns over the possibility of worsening crisis in Myanmar.
The 61 NGOs also called on Bangladesh and Myanmar for the refugees’ engagement on safe, voluntary returns.
The call was made following the news of repatriating 3,450 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar this week.
A brutal military offensive by Myanmar forced more than 740,000 Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh. They are yet to receive justice, the joint statement said.
The refugees said they are fearful and anxious following recent reports about possible expedited repatriation to Myanmar in the current conditions which do not guarantee their safety and rights.
Current levels of engagement do not afford them their right to make informed decisions about their future, including voluntary return, said the humanitarian organisations.
The statement said the conditions in Myanmar are not conducive to the Rohingya refugees’ return at this time.
There is no meaningful development in practicing human rights and ensure free movement of Rohingya people in Rakhine state, it noted. The scope for discussion with the displaced community is also very limited.
The Human Rights Watch has also urged the two governments to suspend the repatriation, saying the conditions in Rakhine State are not
conducive for voluntary, safe, or dignified repatriation of Rohingya.
The NGOs noted that a recent report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute found that not only have preparations for return been minimal but authorities continue to raze Rohingya villages to make room for military bases and potential repatriation camps. The recent upsurge in violence has worsened the already precarious humanitarian situation in central and northern Rakhine State.
Discriminatory policies in Myanmar mean that Rohingya communities in Rakhine State continue to face severe movement restrictions, as well as limited access to education, healthcare, and livelihoods opportunities.
Rohingyas, forced to flee to Bangladesh from their homeland, are still struggling for their rights, security and dignity.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, local, national and international non-government organisations (NGOs) expressed their concerns over the possibility of worsening crisis in Myanmar.
The 61 NGOs also called on Bangladesh and Myanmar for the refugees’ engagement on safe, voluntary returns.
The call was made following the news of repatriating 3,450 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar this week.
A brutal military offensive by Myanmar forced more than 740,000 Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh. They are yet to receive justice, the joint statement said.
The refugees said they are fearful and anxious following recent reports about possible expedited repatriation to Myanmar in the current conditions which do not guarantee their safety and rights.
Current levels of engagement do not afford them their right to make informed decisions about their future, including voluntary return, said the humanitarian organisations.
The statement said the conditions in Myanmar are not conducive to the Rohingya refugees’ return at this time.
There is no meaningful development in practicing human rights and ensure free movement of Rohingya people in Rakhine state, it noted. The scope for discussion with the displaced community is also very limited.
The Human Rights Watch has also urged the two governments to suspend the repatriation, saying the conditions in Rakhine State are not
conducive for voluntary, safe, or dignified repatriation of Rohingya.
The NGOs noted that a recent report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute found that not only have preparations for return been minimal but authorities continue to raze Rohingya villages to make room for military bases and potential repatriation camps. The recent upsurge in violence has worsened the already precarious humanitarian situation in central and northern Rakhine State.
Discriminatory policies in Myanmar mean that Rohingya communities in Rakhine State continue to face severe movement restrictions, as well as limited access to education, healthcare, and livelihoods opportunities.
