Myanmar’s misleading hyperbole at UNGA
These statements are in complete contrast to the recent report released by a UN fact-finding mission that said the repatriation of Rohingya refugees who were forced to flee the country by its military remains "impossible", and the remaining Rohingyas in the country face a "serious risk of genocide". Moreover, the second attempt to repatriate the Rohingya refugees has also proved futile due to the failure of Myanmar to meet the demands of the refugees.
On the one hand, Myanmar is claiming at the international platform that it is working with Bangladesh to take back the 740,000 Rohingyas, while on the other, it is continually razing properties in the Rakhine state, as reported by news agencies in July this year based on satellite images of the state.
Myanmar must substantiate its claims by allowing international observers to visit the sites it is supposed to have developed for the accommodation of the Rohingya refugees, and accepting all of their demands immediately, including the prosecution of the perpetrators of crimes against the Rohingya and acknowledging their citizenship by issuing citizenship cards—in order to facilitate their return to their homeland. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been right in urging Myanmar to "manifest clear political will supported by concrete actions for sustainable return and reintegration of Rohingyas to Myanmar."
While the Myanmar minister claimed that it is working with Bangladesh and the UN to find "long-term and practical solutions" to take back the Rohingyas, due to the reluctance of Myanmar to take tangible actions in this regard, Bangladesh had to seek the international community's help to resolve this looming issue. The world must believe in facts and tangible action—both of which show Myanmar's tendency to procrastinate over this issue—and not fall for the false claims made by the country. Unless international pressure is created on Myanmar to ensure a conducive environment for the safe return of its people, the country will keep up its dillydallying attitude towards resolving the crisis.
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