Rohingya repatriation ‘physical arrangement’ deal struck

Rohingya repatriation ‘physical arrangement’ deal struck

Dhaka, Jan 16 (Just News): Bangladesh and Myanmar have finalised a ‘physical arrangement’ agreement for repatriation of Rohingya people.

The two sides struck the deal at a joint working group meeting in Myanmar’s capital Nay Pyi Daw on Tuesday morning. This outcome followed another 13-hour meeting between foreign secretaries of the two countries on Monday, according to officials.

Bangladesh foreign secretary Md Shahidul Haque said, “We have successfully finalised a physical arrangement agreement for Rohingya repatriation.”

Myanmar’s foreign secretary led the Myanmar team at the meeting.

People informed about the joint working group meeting said Bangladesh pressed Myanmar to start the repatriation in next two months as per the 23 November 2017 agreement.

According to a press statement, the physical arrangement stipulates that the repatriation will be completed preferably within two years from the commencement of repatriation.

Verification and return will be based on considering the family as a unit.

The meeting also finalised ‘he form’ for verification.

Modalities for repatriation of orphans and children born out of unwarranted incidence have been incorporated in the arrangement.

Under the physical arrangement, Bangladesh would establish five transit camps from which returnees would be received initially in two reception centres on Myanmar side.

Myanmar would shelter the returnees in a temporary accommodation at the Hla Pho Khung and expeditiously rebuild the houses for the returnees to move in there. Myanmar would consider resettling the people staying at the zero line on a priority basis.

In the meeting, according to the press release, Myanmar reiterated its commitment to stop outflow of Myanmar residents to Bangladesh. Both countries agreed to form two technical working group -- one on verification and the other on return.

The physical arrangement has included modalities of the relevant aspects of the return.

(Justnews/ys/1200hr)