Bangladesh must stop plans to return Rohingya refugees to Myanmar: rights expert
Tom Andrews, UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, stressed that the current conditions are “anything but conducive“for the return of Rohingya refugees.
Death trap
He stressed that the general managers who have launched “murderous” attacks against the Rohingya, causing hundreds of thousands to flee the country, are now in power and “attacks the civilian population while denying Rohingya citizenship and other fundamental rights. “
According to Mr. Andrews, Bangladesh officials have planned to send back to Myanmar, possibly soon, the tribe the first group of 1,140 Rohingya refugees, using a combination of threats and financial rewards.
Add to ‘designated area’
The returnees will pass through “transit” centers in Rakhine state before being resettled in a “designated area of 15 newly built villages” in which they will “you are not allowed to go freely“.
“The return of Rohingya refugees under these conditions would likely violate Bangladesh’s obligations under international law and expose the Rohingya to heinous human rights violations and, possibly, brutal crimes in the future” said Mr. Andrews.
In March, Bangladeshi authorities facilitated two visits by Myanmar officials to Bangladeshi camps, the UN rights office OHCHR said.
According to reports, there are at least some refugees forced to participate in so-called interviews with junta officials. Bangladeshi and military officials also coordinated a ‘go-see’ visit to Rakhine State for some Rohingya refugees.
Bangladeshi officials said the refugees had expressed “general satisfaction” with the arrangements made for their return, but these assurances were contradicted by reports that those who took part in the trip had unequivocally rejected plans to return. , OHCHR said.
“I appeal to Bangladesh immediately suspended return pilot program,” Mr. Andrews said.
Stay with the Rohingya
“I also ask the international community to stand with the Rohingya refugees in both words and actions”, he added.
“This must include reversing the failure to provide a level of human support for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh who cannot pursue livelihoods, continue to face hunger and poverty, and their children have very limited educational opportunities”.
Tom Andrews and other independent human rights experts were appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, under its Special Procedures.
They are mandated to monitor and report on specific issues or national situations. They are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work.
