Rohingyas sheltering in squalid refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar say that China’s plan for Rohingya repatriation to Myanmar may not be fair before the Rohingyas are guaranteed their civil rights and relocation to their own villages. In the name of repatriation, there is even heavy fear of incarcerating them (refugee returnees) in camps set up in Maungdaw.
Some have expressed they are wary after Bangladesh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Seheli Sabrin said, “We are working to start the repatriation of Rohingya refugees with the mediation of China and the Bangladesh-Myanmar-China trilateral cooperation. We are still negotiating to set a date that is convenient for all concerned to start the repatriation.”
The international community is calling for the suspension of this pilot repatriation project because the situation in Rakhine State is not suitable for Rohingya refugees to return to their homeland, but Bangladesh has made this comment.
Bangladesh and China are trying to send 1,176 Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar who have been screened in this pilot repatriation, which is being carried out with the mediation of China. Among them, some Rohingya representatives had the opportunity to visit in Rakhine State. They said that they will not return to Myanmar without the civil rights and security guarantees they deserve. Also they demanded to be relocated in their own and origin villages.
“We feel that China’s intervention in the Rohingya repatriation issue is done out of China’s self-interest rather than concern for the refugees here.” “If China really wants to help, it must ensure that we can return home safely and with dignity,” Ko Aung Myain, a Rohingya refugee, told VOA.
Regarding the repatriation of the Rohingya refugees, China’s Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun visited Bangladesh a few days ago and met with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abdul Momen. They had a secret meeting with Masud bin Momen. There is no official press release from either side regarding this meeting.
When asked about this at a press conference, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “During the meeting, all aspects of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China were discussed, as well as issues related to voluntary safe and long-term repatriation of Rohingya refugees.” She said.
