Myanmar, ASEAN commit to cooperate on repatriation issue

YANGON — Myanmar and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have vowed to cooperate in repatriating displaced persons from Bangladesh, Myanmar News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Speaking at a coordination meeting in Myanmar’s capital Nay Phi Taw on Tuesday between the Office of the ASEAN SecretaryGeneral and the Myanmar government, Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Doctor Win Myat Aye said that the cooperation would support the activities of the trilateral memorandum of understanding signed between the Myanmar government, UN Development Program and UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The undertaking would also support the implementation of the agreements between Myanmar and Bangladesh and the collaboration is important for not only countries in the region but also for the international community, the minister said.

ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi said needs assessment, based on the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team Guidelines, would be conducted in accordance with the host country’s rules and regulations, prioritized process and protocols.

Myanmar announced its readiness for the return of the first batch of 2,261 displaced people from Bangladesh on Nov 15 but the plan was called off due to a variety of reasons.

However, Myanmar pledged to work on repatriation, resettlement and reintegration processes in accordance with the bilateral agreement on physical arrangement between Myanmar and Bangladesh, urging the UNHCR to continue assisting the government’s repatriation process for those who really want to return back to Myanmar’s western Rakhine state.

Myanmar has been inviting cooperation from home and the international community to help the country rebuild and resettle the conflict-torn state.

Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed in August for early repatriation of the displaced persons fleeing Rakhine state to Bangladesh.

On June 6 this year, Myanmar also signed an MoU with the UNDP and the UNHCR on assisting the Myanmar government’s repatriation process.

The Myanmar government has assured displaced people of voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation in receiving the returnees.