Tom AndrewsThe United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, stressed that the current conditions there “anything but favorable” for the return of Rohingya refugees.
death trap
He emphasized that the same generals who launched the “genocide” attacks against the Rohingya people, causing hundreds of thousands of people to flee the country, are now in power and “attack civilians while denying Rohingya citizenship and other fundamental rights”.
According to Mr. Andrews’ statement, Bangladeshi officials were planning to send back to Myanmar, possibly very soon, a the original group consisted of 1,140 Rohingya refugees, using a combination of threats and financial rewards.
Limited to ‘specified area’
The returnees are expected to pass through “transit” centers in Rakhine state before being resettled in a “designated area of 15 newly built villages” which they will “not allowed to leave freely“.
“The repatriation of Rohingya refugees under these conditions would likely violate Bangladesh’s obligations under international law and affect the Rohingya. serious human rights violations and, potentially, future atrocities” Mr. Andrew said.
In March, Bangladeshi authorities facilitated two visits by Myanmar’s military junta to camps in Bangladesh, the United Nations human rights office said. OHCHR.
According to reports, at least some of the refugees were forced to participate in so-called ‘verification’ interviews with government officials. Bangladesh and military regime officials also coordinated a ‘go see’ visit to Rakhine State for a number of Rohingya refugees.
Bangladeshi officials said the refugees had expressed “general satisfaction” with arrangements made for their return, but these assurances contradicted reports that the trip participants had categorically rejected repatriation plans, OHCHR said.
“I appeal to Bangladesh immediately suspend repatriation pilot program,” said Mr. Andrews.
Stand with the Rohingya
“I also urge the international community to stand with the Rohingya refugees in both word and deed,” he added.
“This must include reversing a failure to provide humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, who are unable to pursue a livelihood, continue to face hunger and malnutrition, and whose children have very limited educational opportunities.”
Tom Andrews and other UN-appointed independent human rights experts Dong Nhan Quyen Associationin Geneva, under its administration special procedure.
They are tasked with monitoring and reporting on specific thematic issues or national situations. They are not employees of the UN and do not receive a salary for their work.
