Repatriation Plan: Dhaka conveys concerns of Rohingyas to Myanmar

Bangladesh has conveyed to Myanmar the concerns the Rohingyas have over their repatriation plan to the Rakhine State, said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin.

"Myanmar authorities have been communicated over the concerns of Rohingyas regarding the repatriation plan," she told journalists at a media briefing at the foreign ministry yesterday.

After the first-ever "go and see" visit to Maungdaw of Rakhine by a team of 20 Rohingyas on May 5, some of them told the media that they have doubts about Myanmar authorities' intentions.

They said they were unclear about how they will be granted citizenship.  They have also doubts about getting back their properties, which they left in Rakhine facing a military campaign in 2017.

"We don't want to live in a camp in our country," said a Rohingya man after returning from the Rakhine visit.

He said Rohingyas would have to fill up a national verification card (NVC) if they return. Rejecting the NVCs, Rohingyas say this requirement amounts to declaring them as foreigners. Instead, they have asked for a guarantee of citizenship.

A foreign ministry official said the concerns of Rohingyas were communicated to the Myanmar embassy in Dhaka ahead of a planned visit by a Myanmar delegation.

The delegation is scheduled to visit and talk to the Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar camps, where nearly a million of them live.

"The delegation was supposed to visit Bangladesh shortly after the Rohingya's visit, but it got delayed because of cyclone Mocha," he said.

Seheli Sabrin said the visit may take place in May or June.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch yesterday criticised the Rohingya repatriation plan, saying it poses "grave risks" to their lives and liberty.

The two countries are looking to return around 1,100 people in a pilot project in the coming weeks.

"Bangladesh authorities shouldn't forget the reasons why Rohingya(s) became refugees in the first place, and recognise that none of those factors have changed," HRW said.

"Bangladesh is frustrated with its burden as host, but sending refugees back to the control of a ruthless Myanmar junta will just be setting the stage for the next devastating exodus," the group said in a statement.

Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh's refugee commissioner, rejected any claims of coercing the Rohingyas to return or not consulting them.

"The repatriation is voluntary," Rahman told AFP.