Description:
"A DELEGATION of Heads of
Missions and senior diplomats
from the embassies of the nine
ASEAN member states; China,
India and Bangladesh as well as
the representatives from UNDP
and UNHCR, visited Rakhine
State from 10 to 11 September
2019. On 10 September, they met
with men and women returnees
of the Hindu community; and
on 11 September they met with
10 members representing the
Muslim families who had also returned
of their own volition. The
delegation was accompanied by U
Khin Maung Tin, Deputy Minister
of the Ministry of the Office of the
State Counsellor.
The delegation met with
the 11 returnees from the Hindu
community and was able to engage
in a discussion in an open,
free and frank atmosphere. The
returnees responded to the queries
raised by the members of
the delegation. They recounted
on the loss of lives and property
and how they were forced to flee
to Bangladesh due to the attacks
by ARSA in August 2017 and how
they were repatriated back to Rakhine
with the help of a Hindu
religious leader from Rakhine
State and the Indian government.
Following their return to Rakhine,
they continued to be threatened
by ARSA and therefore lived under
the protection of the security
personnel. They had felt safe and
secure under their protection, but
now wish to return to Maungdaw
to lead normal lives and be able
to earn their own living. They also
mentioned about the NVC cards.
The government officials
accompanying the delegation
also told the returnees about the
readiness of the purpose-built
houses for their resettlement
and livelihood. They were also
informed that they would be able
to move back to Maungdaw to
pursue a normal life soon. The
government is also coordinating
with the international entities to
create sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The delegation also met with
ten members from the Muslim
community who returned of their
own volition and was told of the
hardships and intimidation during
their short stay in the camps. Because
of these atrocities, threats,
killings, food shortages, schooling
and healthcare difficulties
for their families they decided to
return on their own accord and
arrangements. On arrival back
in Rakhine, the Myanmar immigration
authorities ascertained
that they were former residents
and that they have no links with
any terrorist groups. They also
related how those remaining
in the camps continue living in
fear and threat from ARSA, that
there have been threats via the
internet and social media. And
even though they want to return
to their place of origin they are
afraid of the threat from ARSA.
And even though their relatives
and friends wanted to return, they
dared not, because the situation
in the camps was fraught with
danger including constant threats
from ARSA. The NVC cards and
the creation of livelihood opportunities
were further discussed.
The Rakhine State Minister
for Security and Border Affairs
said that 6 more people out of
20,000 who have listed to return
under the agreement between
the two countries, arrived back at
the Taung Pyo Let Wei reception
centre on the morning of 11 September.
Temporary relief, welfare
and accommodation assistance,
and arrangements for them to be
resettled in their original places or
nearest to it are being organized.
Deputy Minister U Khin
Maung Tin thanked the members
of the delegation for their participation
and requested continued
assistance, support and cooperation
from ASEAN member states,
the neighbouring countries and
relevant UN agencies in the
implementation of the bilateral
agreement on the repatriation of
displaced persons.
Myanmar is also appreciative
of the assistance from Japan.
Mr Ichiro Maruyama, Japanese
Ambassador to Myanmar visited
Maungdaw, Buthitaung in Rakhine
State late last month, to find
out, first hand, the situation on
the ground for the returnees. The
Japanese Ambassador was able
to conduct a face to face interview
with 12 Hindu returnees.
Following his visit, the ambassador
said the embassy will
identify types and nature of assistance
required in order to
determine the needs and also to
provide advice to the Myanmar
government and coordinate efforts
with related UN agencies.
According to a first hand observation
made by a member of
the delegation, people in Maungdaw
and Buthitaung were going
about their daily business freely..."
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Ministry of Information via "The Global New Light of Myanmar"
Date of Publication:
2019-09-12
Date of entry:
2019-09-12
Grouping:
- Individual Documents
Category:
Countries:
Myanmar
Administrative areas of Burma/Myanmar:
Rakhine State
Language:
English
Local URL:
Format:
pdf
Size:
813.06 KB
Resource Type:
text
Text quality:
- Good