Voluntary Repatriation or Refoulement in Bangladesh?

By Andrew Day

RB News 

August 21, 2013

Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh: "Very bad news from our Foreign Minister." He spoke. "She said we will be sent to repatriate to Myanmar. Did you read? What shall we do?" This is the sentiment and words from a refugee living within a registered camp in Bangladesh. This, in reaction to the result of a recent visit to Cox's Bazaar from Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni.

Her excellency, Dr. Moni visited just one of the camps. RB News posted a letter addressed to the Foreign Minister. It was prepared by the refugee CMC Chairman of the unvisited camp. Written with such high hopes and care. They weren't given the opportunity to present the letter to her. 

Dr. Moni who has stated "The government is keeping strict vigilance as the Rohingyas would get their right to citizenship in Myanmar." The FM office says that any move would be completely voluntary repatriation. She adds "We have finalized to send them back to their homeland through discussion with Myanmar authority but could not do so due to riot there."

Voluntary Repatriation, supposedly requires cooperation from the refugees country of origin. 

Myanmar, a country who's government let's anti Muslim propaganda get distributed and are either unable or unwilling to stop mobs and racist groups who want to wipe out the Rohingya people. 

Thousands of people held within Arakan state in unregistered camps, in flooded paddy fields in absolute squaller. All aid blocked for "security reasons." 

Voluntary Repatriation to a country who's government are currently trafficking hundreds of Rohingyas from Southern Maungdaw to Malaysia. 

Cooperation between countries. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mohammad Shahidul Haque recently stated he approves "in principle, the proposal to construct a barbed wire [fence] along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, set up searchlights, build watchtowers and 21 new outposts to improve border surveillance." 

Bangladesh has a population crisis. The Foreign ministry just wants the Rohingyas out of the country. 

Back in the refugee camps. Despite the terrible living conditions, the idea of Rohingyas volunteering to go to Myanmar at this point in time, seems far fetched. 

One Rohingya told RB News, "Bangladesh is like a small hell for Rohingyas. Myanmar, that's a big hell for them"