Why Bangladesh wants return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar

Now, Bangladesh wants the return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. Since August 25, when violence broke out in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, at least 600,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh.

Dhaka, Oct 25: Since August 25, when violence broke out in Myanmar's Rakhine State, at least 600,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh. The refugees in Bangladesh have been given shelter in overcrowded camps in Cox's Bazar, which are not only unhygienic, but lack enough space, food and drinking water facilities.

Amid all these difficulties, aid workers warn that the camps are facing the risk of outbreak of killer diseases and in such a scenario several of the refugees might die.

Now, Bangladesh authorities, faced with such an unprecedented situation, described by the United Nations (UN) as the biggest refugee crisis of our times, want Myanmar to take back the Rohingyas.

However, it is not that Bangladesh just wants the return of Rohingyas to their "homeland", but insists that Myanmar should ensure safety of refugees once they reach their "homes".

"This is an untenable situation," Shameem Ahsan, Bangladesh's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, told at a conference, on Monday.

"Despite claims to the contrary, violence in Rakhine State has not stopped. Thousands still enter on a daily basis."

Ahsan stated that Myanmar must ensure "safe, dignified and voluntary return" of its nationals.

"It is of paramount importance that Myanmar delivers on its recent promises and works towards safe, dignified, voluntary return of its nationals back to their homes in Myanmar," Ahsan said.

Bangladesh's interior minister was in Yangon on Monday for talks to find a "durable solution", he added.

Recently, a senior official of Myanmar, during his visit to Bangladesh, agreed to take back the Rohingyas.

However, Myanmar is continuing with its "propaganda projecting Rohingyas as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh", Ahsan said, adding: "This blatant denial of the ethnic identity of Rohingyas remains a stumbling block."

Myanmar considers the Rohingyas to be stateless.

Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said that both Myanmar and Bangladesh had begun talks on "repatriation".

Conducive conditions have to be "recreated" in Rakhine, he said. "This must include a solution to the question of citizenship, or rather lack thereof for the Rohingya community," Grandi added.

Recently, Myanmar hosted a protest against the return of Rohingyas, where several Buddhist monks also took part.

OneIndia News