The process of return of Rohingyas to Myanmar remained stalled for the second time today as no Rohingya refugee turned up for repatriation at Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district.
A total of 3,450 Rohingya refugees were certified by Myanmar as eligible for repatriation. This is the second effort for the repatriation of Rohingyas since November last which had also failed to get any positive response.
Refugee Commissioner of Bangladesh Md Abul Kalam said that nobody showed up for repatriation at Ghumdhum transit point today though five buses were kept ready.
UNHCR, Bangladesh also in a statement today said that none of the Rohingya refugees interviewed jointly by it and Bangladeshi authorities over the past few days has indicated a willingness to be repatriated at this time.
A key element of the repatriation arrangement is the willingness of the refugees to return. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in New York yesterday that any return of Rohingyas should be voluntary and sustainable.
Rohingya refugees say that they will return to Myanmar only if they are assured of safety and granted citizenship status in the country.
In the meanwhile, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen said that some people are encouraging Rohingyas to stay back. He warned that action will be taken against them.
According to UNHCR, Bangladesh has more than 9 lakh Rohingya refugees out of which close to 7 lakh 50 thousand refugees arrived after August 2017 fleeing Rakhine province of Myanmar amid violence and military crackdown. Bangladesh claims to have 11 lakh Rohingya refugees in the country. (AIR NEWS)