Delay In Repatriation : Suu Kyi's comments draw flak
Aung San Suu Kyi's remark that the pace of Rohingya return depends on Bangladesh is grossly wrong and reflects Myanmar's lack of sincerity in finding a sustainable solution to the crisis, says international relations analysts.
In a public lecture in Singapore on Tuesday, Myanmar State Counsellor Suu Kyi said her country had been "ready" to receive Rohingya returnees since January 23.
"It's very difficult for us to put a time frame on it by ourselves unilaterally because we have to work with Bangladesh in order to do that," she said, reports AFP.
"Bangladesh would also have to decide how quickly they want the process to be completed," she added.
Analysts, however, say safe and voluntary return of Rohingyas largely depends on how Myanmar creates conditions for it.
"The first and foremost issue is guaranteeing citizenship to Rohingyas; recognising them as Rohingya and then ensuring security in Rakhine," said Asif Munier, an independent researcher on refugees and migration.
According to him, Myanmar made a little progress on these aspects.
Over 720,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh since August 25 last year escaping a brutal military campaign in Rakhine which has been described by the UN and the USA as ethnic cleansing having hallmarks of genocide.
'TORTURED, JAILED ON RETURN'
Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a report on August 21 said the Myanmar authorities tortured and imprisoned Rohingya refugees who returned to Rakhine from Bangladesh.
Six Rohingyas who fled to Bangladesh last year told HRW that Myanmar's Border Guard Police apprehended them when they returned to Rakhine and tortured them during pretrial detention. Each was summarily tried and sentenced to four years in prison, apparently for illegally crossing the border.
The Myanmar government later pardoned them along with several dozen others. On June 1 this year, the authorities presented them to visiting journalists in an attempt to show that they were treating Rohingya well and that it was safe to return. Following the visit, the six fled to Bangladesh again.
"The torture of Rohingya returnees puts the lie to Myanmar government promises that refugees who return will be safe and protected," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of HRW.
"Despite Myanmar's rhetoric guaranteeing a safe and dignified return, the reality is that Rohingya who go back still face the persecution and abuses they were forced to flee."
In her speech in Singapore, Suu Kyi said, "The danger of terrorist activities which was the initial cause of events leading to the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine remains real and present today."
"Unless these security challenges are addressed, the risk of communal violence would remain."
Analysts say Rohingyas lived in Rakhine for generations, and it was Myanmar authorities' responsibility to address any challenges, not of Bangladesh.
Asif Munier said Myanmar has always denied Rohingya ethnicity, and now want removal of the words "Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals" from their identity cards. This proves lack of Myanmar's sincerity in taking back Rohingyas, he said.
Early this year when Bangladesh handed over a list of some 8,000 Rohingyas to Myanmar for verification, they objected that there were no proofs of voluntariness or signatures etc.
Asif Munier said there must be a third party like UN and Rohingya representatives who can say that the situation in Rakhine is secure for their return. "Only then the Rohingyas can voluntarily agree to return home."
Rohingyas demanded UN-led security arrangement for them in Rakhine, but no initiative was taken in this regard, he added.
Prof Mizanur Rahman, an expert on refugee law, of Dhaka University said the crux of the Rohingya issue was statelessness. The problem would not be resolved unless it was solved, he added.
He said Myanmar has been trying to shrug off its responsibility about the repatriation as the UN Security Council takes no concrete action against it due to China and Russia's opposition.