Dhaka, Aug 20 – Around 100 Rohingya people of 21 families were interviewed at the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar yesterday to encourage them to return to Myanmar before their repatriation on the ‘said date’ on August 22.The interview was taken in presence of representatives of the United Nations Refugee Agency UNHCR and Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) to know whether these Rohingya people want to return.
Sources said the representatives would also resume interview on Wednesday as part of the repatriation process of the persecuted Rohingya people who have taken shelter in Bangladesh after being displaced from Rakhine state by the Myanmar Army.
The representatives said they are taking full preparation for the repatriation of the displaced people but the repatriation will take place only on the voluntary basis, sources said.
However, sources said that the Rohingya people who have been interviewed are unwilling to return until their certain demands especially their citizenship rights are being fulfilled.
Despite the facts, the RRRC said they are taking the preparation for the repatriation of the Rohingya people.
Commissioner of the RRRC Abul Kalam told The Independent : “Today around 100 Rohingya people of 21 families were interviewed. It will resume tomorrow. If the Rohingyas want to go back voluntarily, they will be sent back.”
“We are continuing our preparation for the repatriation on August 22,” he added.
Meanwhile, foreign minister AK Abdul Momen yesterday told the journalists at his office said, “Myanmar has told us that they are fully prepared for the repatriation. We are also fully prepared. They have sent us a list of 3450 Rohingya for repatriation. We have given them a list of 50,000.”
“We want let the repatriation process begin. We want them to return as soon as possible. If they don’t go their future will not be pleasant. The peace in this region will be hampered. Without peace, we will fail to implement many future plans in the region,” he added.
“We have heard many Rohingya wants to return. But some Rohingya along with some international and local NGOs are instigating them not to return,” Momen said.
“The Rohingyas have raised demands that they would not go until they get their citizenship rights. But Myanmar said getting the citizenship rights is a process. If they return they will get cards to begin the process,” he noted.
He, however, said Bangladesh wants safe, secured and free mobility of the Rohingya people in Rakhine and Myanmar is agreed with it.
About the repatriation, the foreign minister said, “China has very much involved in the repatriation process. They have made Myanmar agreed for the repatriation.”
It has been learnt that preparation is going on for the repatriation of 3,850 Rohingya people of 1,037 families.
Over 1.1 million Rohingyas, who were persecuted by the Myanmar Army, are currently staying in different camps at Cox’s Bazar. – Staff Reporter
