UN chief in Bangladesh for talks on return of Rohingya refugees
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrived in Bangladesh yesterday with World Bank President Jim Yong-kim to assess what is needed to deal with hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
The two-day visit will “highlight the generosity of Bangladesh in hosting the largest refugee influx of 2017 and the need of the international community to do more”, the UN said.
From August to December, more than 700,000 ethnic Rohingya, a Muslim minority, fled an offensive by Myanmar troops in Rakhine state in reprisal for attacks on border posts by Rohingya rebels.
The UN said the visit would “lay the groundwork for further dialogue” with Bangladesh on medium-term planning for the refugees and on the need for “comprehensive solutions” to their plight.
In Dhaka, Mr Guterres and the World Bank chief will hold talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other officials.
Today, they are scheduled to visit refugees and aid workers at the Cox’s Bazar encampment on the south-east coast.
The delegation includes UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Natalia Kanem, executive director of the UN Population Fund.
They will study prospects for “a safe, voluntary and dignified return” of refugees to Myanmar, the UN said.
It previously said conditions in Rakhine were not conducive for a safe repatriation, but signed an agreement with Myanmar to assess conditions to help refugees to make an informed decision.
The world body has demanded an end to Myanmar military operations, unfettered access to the western Myanmar region from which the refugees fled, and a peaceful and organised return of the Rohingya to their home region in the Buddhist country.
The Security Council visited Myanmar and Rakhine state in early May, meeting refugees who told of killings, rape and the torching of villages at the hands of the military. Myanmar has denied allegations of ethnic cleansing by the United States, the UN and others.