Chaos, Confusion as Rohingya Refugee Repatriations Set To Begin

Local Editor

Confusion and uncertainty remained on Thursday over whether Bangladesh would begin the scheduled repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar despite overwhelming evidence that none are willing to return voluntarily.

Thousands of the Rohingya refugees who had been put on a list “approved” for return to Myanmar- due to start today- have gone into hiding out of fear that, despite assurance by the Bangladesh authorities that repatriation will be “totally voluntary”, the security forces would forcibly send them across the border.

By mid-morning on Thursday, the presence of the military and the police remained heavy in the camps but no attempts to repatriate refugees had begun.

The few who are reportedly willing to return are 450 Hindu families who are on the list of 2,260 refugees who have been vetted and approved by Myanmar to come back.

The UNHCR, who have actively opposed the repatriation plans out of concern that the current conditions in Myanmar do not guarantee the rights and safety of the Rohingya, began a process of interviewing every refugee on the list to determine whether they wanted to return but struggled to find most of them.

But by Wednesday night, hours before repatriation was due to begin, the UNHCR had spoken to just 48 families who all said they did not want to return to Myanmar in the current conditions.

Rohingya refugees told the Guardian of the multiple ways that the Bangladesh authorities were trying to “persuade” refugees to go back, including telling them that it was the only way they would get the Myanmar government to give them rights and citizenship.

They also made direct threats. Saifullah, who lives in Balukhali camp, said that the CIC had warned of “stern actions” if the Rohingya who are in the repatriation list do not return to Myanmar.

The UN has called on both governments to halt the “rushed” repatriation plans but the pleas appear to have fallen on deaf ears. Bangladesh, however, tried to quell the panic by instructing NGOs it maintained its commitment to voluntary returns and that all NGOs should continue their work as usual on Thursday.

Source: The Guardian, Edited by website team