January
16, 2018
The
first meeting of the joint working group (JWG) for the repatriation of
displaced Myanmar residents from Bangladesh was held on 15 January in the
office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nay Pyi Taw. An official of the
group explained the status of the efforts undertaken for the repatriation of
displaced Myanmar residents from Bangladesh.
U
Myint Thu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Yesterday,
we discussed the repatriation of the displaced Myanmar residents from
Bangladesh with the permanent secretary of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. I want to explain this further. On 23 November, 2017, a meeting at the
level of the Minister of Foreign Affairs was held. Myanmar’s side was led by
Union Minister for the Ministry of State Counsellor’s Office U Kyaw Tint Swe,
and the Bangladesh side was led by its Minister of Foreign Affairs. During the
meeting, a framework arrangement for the return of displaced persons from the
Rakhine State was signed at the ministerial level. Based on this framework
arrangement, a high-level meeting was conducted in Dhaka. I led the Myanmar
delegation to the meeting, and the Bangladesh side was led by the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs secretary. The term of reference (TOR) for the repatriation was
signed at that meeting. The framework agreement signed on 23 November 2017,
stated that the repatriation process will start within two months of the
signing of the framework agreement.
A
bilateral discussion on the physical arrangements for the repatriation process,
which will begin on 23 January 2018, was held yesterday. The format of the
verification form that will be used during the repatriation was also exchanged
at the meeting, with the other side presenting their suggested format while we
presented them with our suggested format. The (repatriation) process can be
said to have started today, as the high-level officials signed the agreement
this morning. At the meeting, we also provided them with a list of 508 Hindus
from Myanmar who were displaced to Bangladesh, as well as a list of more than
700 persons who are known to be residing in the northern Rakhine State. We
provided these lists so that their side can make the necessary preparations to
start the repatriation as soon as possible. As we all know, the international
media has severely criticised Myanmar for going slow with the repatriation
work. We want to show them that this is not the case. We have already arranged
to have two repatriation camps ready. People returning via the land route will
be accepted at Taungpyoletwe camp, and those returning via water will be
accepted at Ngakhuya camp. After the repatriated persons are checked, they will
be temporarily held at Hla Pho Khaung camp, where they will be provided with
all the necessary accommodations and support.
This
is being arranged by the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance,
Resettlement and Development (UEHRD) and the Rakhine State government. At the
same time, buildings are being constructed by UEHRD in the villages where the
repatriated persons will finally be resettled. The construction work for the
buildings started on 7 January. The concerned officials from UEHRD also
conducted periodic field visits to the Rakhine State to inspect the preparation
efforts. On my part, I coordinate with the Bangladesh side as a responsible
person from Myanmar in the JWG, so that the repatriation process can be carried
out smoothly. The repatriation process will start on 23 January 2018. When this
begins, the immigration and population department will assess the verification
form sent by the other side. Once it is assessed, it will be returned, and the
assessed persons will return via a transit camp. Officials from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs from the other side, as well as officials from ministerial
departments, have been assigned to repatriation camps since 15 and 16 (January)
and are making the necessary preparations.
We
also discussed the matter of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) terrorists
at yesterday’s meeting. We heard that these terrorists are attempting to
disrupt the repatriation process. We also have photographic evidence of this.
At the same time, this is a matter that can be handled only through bilateral
cooperation, and we have again requested the extradition of these terrorists,
in accordance with the 1980 Myanmar-Bangladesh Border Agreement. The Bangladesh
permanent secretary has also confirmed that Bangladesh will do its bit, as part
of the bilateral cooperation with Myanmar. We will accept the voluntary return
of the displaced Myanmar residents. As this is a safe and voluntary return, the
necessary security arrangements will also be made.
We
have specified our requirements within the framework signed on 23 November.
Those applying for repatriation need to provide some sort of evidence of having
resided in Myanmar. In the past, we had issued a white card. Later, the
national verification cards (NVCs) were issued. Some family members hold these
cards. We will consider anyone who has such evidence of residence. They will
also be issued with supporting documents, such as Form 10. We will consider
family lists for repatriation as well. Thirdly, there is the matter of split
families, as well as those of children. If the Bangladesh court provides
recommendations, they will be considered for repatriation. Finally, there is
the case of orphans. If orphans meet the set criteria, and if evidence is
provided of their parents having lived in Myanmar, we will accept them.
Assessments will be made based on these categories’ criteria.
We
have formed two groups for this. At the JWG level, the Bangladesh permanent
secretary and I are the chairmen. Technical working groups, with officials from
the Rakhine State, General Administration Department, Immigration and
Population Department and the Myanmar Police Force, will be formed at the two
repatriation camps.
The
assessment and repatriation will be done by the two technical working groups.
If a meeting is required during the repatriation process, it will be done
through the Flag Meeting mechanism that already exists between the two
countries. We will also contact each other through communication channels such
as telephones, as well as by holding meetings in the camps.
The
United Nations, as well as other international organisations, has been exerting
pressure on Myanmar over the people who fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar. Under
the framework agreement, we will conduct the repatriation in three months. We
have also signed TORs to conduct the physical repatriation. This morning too,
we signed an agreement on the physical arrangements for the repatriation. These
are the positive things our country has done. We are providing proof that we
are not slow in cooperating internationally. The successful conclusion of
today’s meeting is the result of bilateral cooperation.
We
have not set a deadline for the repatriation. The repatriation camps will be
open five days a week. Each camp will repatriate 150 persons per day. Thus,
there will be 300 repatriated persons per day, totalling 1,500 per week, in the
initial stage. We will continue the process according to the verification form
sent by the other side and based on the results of the assessment conducted on
it after actually receiving the repatriated persons.
These
tasks will be done systematically by the Rakhine State government and UEHRD. We
have already implemented the plans for the villages. Further, security will be
provided by the Myanmar Police Force and Border Police Force.
Regarding
the ARSA terrorists, a bilateral Border Guard Police level central committee
meeting was held in Nay Pyi Taw. Our focal ministry, the Ministry of Home
Affairs, has provided to the other side a list of more than 1,000 terrorists,
inclusive of personal information and photographs. At today’s meeting too, I
spoke again about extraditing them and taking action according to the law. The
other side is also not accepting these terrorists.
They
will cooperate and work with us. We will conduct coordinated patrols along the
border. They will take the necessary action to ensure these terrorists cannot
stay on their land. On our part, we will take action according to the law.
The
ministry of state counsellor’s office will lead this programme. Occasionally,
the diplomats will be given a briefing. Further, our Union Minister, Dr. Win Myat
Aye, will provide information on some of the work completed by UEHRD.
Yesterday’s meeting was attended by officials from the Rakhine State
government. We will work together with the officials from the concerned
ministries, UEHRD and the Rakhine State
government.
(Unofficial
Translation)
By
News Team / MNA
Ref;
The Global New Light of Myanmar
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