Officials hopeful of quick repatriation of Rohingyas

News Desk

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC) have expressed hope that the repatriation process of Rohingyas would start soon.

Rohingyas who are willing to return home voluntarily will be listed. No one will be forcibly sent back to Myanmar and the government is also considering the views of the international community, including the United Nations, on the repatriation of the Rohingya, they said.

The only solution to the Rohingya problem is sustainable and voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas, said Director General (Myanmar Wing) Mainul Kabir of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a press briefing at Rohingya Camp no 26 in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.

Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammed Mizanur Rahman was also present at the press briefing.

He said that during the discussion with the Myanmar delegation, the Rohingya community made several demands, including the return of their citizenship and land.

“During the discussion, the Rohingyas told the Myanmar delegation that they want to return to their own land and not to a camp in the Rakhine state,” he added.

The press conference was held after the Myanmar delegation returned home after negotiating with the Rohingyas for repatriation.

However, the delegation did not speak to the media.

Earlier in the day, a Myanmar delegation reached Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar to discuss with the Rohingyas about possible repatriation.

A 14-member delegation from Myanmar arrived in a cargo trawler at Teknaf-Myanmar Transit Jetty of Teknaf Municipality Jaliapara around 9am on Thursday.

During this time, Mohammad Shamsud Douza, additional refugee relief and repatriation commissioner of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC) and other government officials exchanged greetings with the delegation.

Myanmar’s delegation was led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maungdu Regional Director Aung Myew.