A senior US official has said that it is Myanmar’s responsibility to initiate the repatriation process and bring back Rohingyas in a safe and secure area.
“Responsibility for repatriation lies with the government of Myanmar,” Acting Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Simon Henshaw said, as Myanmar accused Bangladesh of delaying the process.
Henshaw is leading a delegation in Bangladesh.
“They [Myanmar] are responsible for setting up the process and making sure that they are providing the safe and secure area for people to voluntary return,” Heanshaw said at a press briefing in Dhaka on Saturday.
State Department’s Spokesperson Heather Nauert and Ambassador to Marcia Bernicat also attended the briefing.
Over 600,000 Rohingyas have crossed border into Bangladesh and taken shelter in crowded settlements in Cox's Bazar since August 25, fleeing ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Amid international pressure, the Myanmar government agreed to set up a joint working group with Bangladesh to repatriate them as Dhaka has been pressing for their return.
A US delegation led by Henshaw visited Myanmar and then came to Bangladesh and visited Cox’s Bazar camps for two days from Nov 2.
Spokesperson Nauert said the Rohingya issue is a “top priority” of the US administration. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is visiting Myanmar on Nov 15.
He said they were constantly evaluating the situation to make any sanctions decision against Myanmar.
“There are disturbing reports of atrocities in Myanmar. We call on full investigations on those reports,” he said, adding that his government in Washington is seized with the issue.
“This is the top issue in the region,” he said.
He said they would encourage talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar to continue.
“…no matter how frustrating for either side, the talks have to continue, that’s very important and we will do what we can do to encourage talks and come to a speedy conclusion and solutions.”
“The US’s role would be to encourage the governments to move forward as fast as possible in establishing a system so that Rohingyas can voluntarily return to their homes in peace and security,” he said.
“We use diplomatic and other efforts to encourage them to do so.”
He said they would apply best of their efforts to bring those responsible for the human rights abuse to account.
Asked whether they find any solution this time to this decades-old crisis, he refused to make any prediction.
“It is without question a very difficult issue. It’s very complex. It has long history and long standing political issues inside Burma.”
He also rejected Myanmar’s claim that Bangladesh government is delaying the repatriation process for the international aid.
“This money does not go the government of Bangladesh. The money goes to the international organisations, which use it directly on the ground for supporting refugees,” he said.
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon is coming to Dhaka to co-lead the ‘US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue’ on Sunday and discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues, including the Rohingya crisis.