High-level Myanmar delegation visits Rohingya camps
Diplomats from the two countries had a number of bilateral meetings.
A high-level delegation from Myanmar has arrived in Cox’s Bazar on a visit to Rohingya camps at Ukhia and Teknaf in the district.
According to sources, the main purpose of the Myanmar delegates’ visit is to witnessing the condition of the displaced Rohingyas in the refugee camps.
The Myanmar delegation arrived in Cox’s Bazar airport on a Bangladesh Biman aircraft on Saturday morning.
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Additional Commissioner of Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner's Office in Cox’s Bazar Shamsuddoha, Additional Deputy Commissioner of the district S M Sarwar Kamal and other administrative officials welcomed the delegates at the airport.
According to the camp sources, the team has interacted with the leaders of Rohingya refugees in order to determine the steps to repatriate the persecuted Rohingya people.
It is mentionable that, about 7.5 lakh Rohingyas fled Myanmar to Bangladesh following the latest crackdown on them, which started on August 25, 2017.
Prior to that, more 5 lakh Rohingyas had taken shelter in different areas of the country on different times.
From 2017, the scattered Rohingyas have been given shelters at 31 camps in Teknaf and Ukhia upazilas.
Diplomats from the two countries had a number of bilateral meetings to accelerate the repatriation process, however the process is yet to begin due to the non-cooperation and unwillingness from the Myanmar authorities.
Some analysts have opined that the Myanmar delegation has been sent in a bid to avoid criticism from international communities before the United Nation’s General Assembly Meeting scheduled to be held in September.
They have mentioned that a high-level delegation from Myanmar came to talk to the Rogingya refugees last year too. However, no progress was made in the repatriation process, they said, adding Bangladesh and the world community are now eager to see what message this visit brings in.
Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Officer (RRRC) in Cox’s Bazar Md Abul Kalam said the Myanmar delegation was supposed hold a meeting with them. “We are waiting to learn what they are thinking of the Rohingya repatriation at the moment,” he added.
