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Implement Rohingya repatriation deal soon

5 || risingbd.com

Published: 13:32, 28 November 2017   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
Implement Rohingya repatriation deal soon

Bangladesh and Myanmar finally signed a deal on Rohingya repatriation on November 23 with no ending deadline amid high hopes that the forcibly displaced Rohingyas will start returning to their homeland within the next two months. Despite a number of questions regarding the deal, Myanmar has formally proceeded towards the way to take back its citizens through the signing of the deal. Now we should keep it in mind that Myanmar cannot delay the repatriation process.

The two sides also exchanged the long-awaited "Instrument of Ratification" of the agreement on demarcation of the land section of the boundary north of the Naaf River concluded in 1998. As a result, Myanmar will only take back its citizens after proper scrutiny. But this process will take a long time which can be conjectured from past experience. The important point is that the current problem and the problem erupted in 1992 are not the same. There is a major difference between these two periods. In this sense, it will have to make sure that Myanmar is repatriating its nationals not harming the bilateral instrument.

There is a doubt whether it will be possible at all to start the Rohingya repatriation within two months. Myanmar can take the advantage of delaying the Rohingya repatriation in name of repairing or building the houses which were burnt to ashes and vandalized during the crackdown carried out by its army forces. Before the signing of the instrument, both Bangladesh and Myanmar informed their two neighbouring countries China and India about the issue and the two neighbouring countries have agreed to build pre-fabricated houses in Bangladesh and Rakhine temporarily for the persecuted Rohingyas. This is very imperative.

Now the repatriation process will have to start as soon as possible. Side by side, we will have to pay a special attention to the fact that China and India continue their pressure on Myanmar alongside the world community until the repatriation process ends. Bangladesh has no alternative except the utilization of international pressure and the influence of neighbouring countries in expediting the repatriation process. It is being evident from the statement of foreign minister of Bangladesh and the entire situation.

Bangladesh and the world community will also have to oversee whether Myanmar is making proper environment for the safe habitat of the persecuted Rohingyas. The Rohingyas will refuse to return to Myanmar or even they will return to Bangladesh after their repatriation if strong faith is not created in them. The Rohingyas fear whether they will be safe in their own country or they will be kept in temporary camp instead of permanent houses. To end the fear, an emphasis will have to put on the recommendations of the Kofi Annan Commission for durable solutions.

It will have to keep in mind so that Mynamar cannot delay the repatriation process in name of scrutiny of the displaced Rohingyas. We expect Myanmar will play its sincere role in the early start of the repatriation process according to the deal. Side by side, international community will continue to exert pressure on Myanmar so that the country can accelerate the efforts to take back its nationals in a quick manner.  We want lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis upholding the existing good relations between the two countries. We expect Myanmar will ensure respectable repatriation soon and work on the issue with sincerity.

risingbd/Dhaka/Nov 28, 2017/Ali Nowsher/AI

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