On Friday, a delegation of 20 Rohingya refugees will visit Myanmar for the first time since they fled to Bangladesh due to a military crackdown in 2017, with the aim of assessing conditions for possible repatriation. The visit comes as Bangladesh starts a pilot trial to repatriate the stateless minority to Myanmar, with more than 1,000 Rohingya to be resettled in two model villages built by the Myanmar military. While the repatriation agreement was signed between the two countries in 2017, progress has been slow, with the United Nations (UN) warning that conditions have not been right for the refugees’ return. The Rohingya refugees are concerned about their security and citizenship in Myanmar.
Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has dismissed the Rohingya identity as “imaginary,” and the military regime that took over earlier this year considers the Rohingya as non-citizens. The International Court of Justice is currently investigating allegations of genocide against Myanmar’s security forces for their actions against the Rohingya in 2017, including rape, murder, and arson. Despite the ongoing investigation, Bangladesh has started the repatriation trial ahead of the annual monsoon season.
The Rohingya refugees have spent almost six years living in overcrowded and squalid relief camps in Bangladesh. While the two model villages in Myanmar provide new facilities, such as a market, hospital, and reception centre, the refugees remain sceptical about returning to their homeland, demanding guarantees of security and their right to citizenship. As the repatriation trial moves forward, the UN is urging all parties involved to ensure that the refugees’ rights are protected and that the principle of non-refoulement is respected.
In conclusion, the delegation’s visit to Myanmar is a crucial step in the repatriation trial for Rohingya refugees. Still, concerns remain about their security and citizenship in Myanmar, as well as the ongoing investigation into allegations of genocide. All parties involved must ensure the rights of the refugees are protected and that they are not being forced to return against their will. The international community must remain vigilant in their support of the Rohingya refugees and hold accountable those responsible for the violence against them.
