By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

DHAKE, Rohingya  – The Burmese government has recently conceded to the repatriation of 9,000 of an estimated 28,000 Rohingya Muslims.  The Muslims who have just been granted access into Burma are among an alienated group of peoples who have been fleeing from religious persecution perpetrated by the Burmese junta.  Since the 1970’s, Bangladesh has experienced an increasing influx of Rohingya Muslims escaping mistreatment and discrimination by the state and civilians of Burma.  Escape into Bangladesh has proved the most effective means for Rohingya Muslims desperate to evade maltreatment and unequal consideration in social aspects such as employment and trade. 

The respective Foreign Secretaries of Bangladesh and Burma met recently to discuss the terms and scope of the repatriation agreement.  During the discussion, the two figures seemed to conclude that repatriation should begin as soon as possible so as to give at least some of the over 30,000 Rohingya Muslims an official residence nation.   

Apart from the approximately 30,000 living under derisory conditions in Bangladeshi refugee camps, over 300,000 Rohingya Muslims originating from Burma reside illegally in other nations throughout Asia.  The Rohingya repatriation plan appears also to extend a welcome to Rohingya Muslims who have ventured beyond Burma to find peace in life. 

The repatriation of Burma by Rohingya Muslims has been a point of contention between the Burmese and Bangladeshi governments since the beginning of the 1990’s.  Although Bangladesh has established numerous camps to house the Rohingya refugees, human rights groups have often voiced concern over the inadequate living conditions of the refugee camps.  Essentials such as food, clothes, and shelter are apparently scarce in the camps, which are not readily supplied so as to tend to the needs of the refugee dwellers.  

However, despite the unfavorable situation of staying in refugee camps, a majority of the Rohingya Muslim refugees seem to prefer Bangladeshi shelters than returning their homes in Burma.  Although no reports discuss whether the issue of significant discrimination against the Rohingya Muslim group was considered in repatriation talks, refugees themselves have stated their desire to remain in Bangladesh where they are at least safe from state mistreatment. 

While these issues continue to be raised by human rights groups, it remains to be seen how many Burmese Rohingya Muslims will actually grasp the opportunity to return, supposedly without prejudice, to their native state.

 

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Bangladesh to send home thousands of Burmese refugees – 29 December 2009

Irrawaddy – Bangladesh, Burma Agree on Repatriation of Some Rohingya -30 December 2009

Silobreaker – Burmese Muslims to be repatriated – 29 December 2009