Bangladesh to Return Rohingya Refugees to Myanmar

Cox’s Bazar, MINA – Bangladesh’s Government said, the return of Rohingya refugee toMyanmar will begin according to the set schedule on Thursday.

Refugee Commissioner Abul Kalam told to the Associated Press, he and other officials would go to Unchiprang, one of the refugee camps near the city of Cox’s Bazar, to ask more than 700 thousand Rohingya to return to Myanmar voluntarily.

Kalam refused to say what Bangladeshi authorities would do if the refugees refused to go home. But according to agreements brokered by Bangladesh and Myanmar, the Rohingya cannot be forced to be repatriated.

“If they agree, we will take them to a transit camp and give them food for three days before surrendering to Myanmar authorities,” he said.

The massive Rohingya exodus began last August, after Myanmar security forces launched a brutal attack following an attack by rebel groups at the checkpoint.

The United Nations and the international community have accused Myanmar of genocide.

Although, they are guaranted by Myanmar’s government, human rights activists said that current conditions are still not safe for Rohingya refugees to return.

The group said 150 people from 30 families had been taken to the transit camp in preparation for return.

Bangladeshi authorities say they have worked with the UN refugee agency to gather a list of people who are willing to return to Myanmar. (T/Sj/RS5)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)