The persecuted Muslim-majority Rohingya people will return to Myanmar in three weeks’ time following Myanmar’s agreement with Bangladesh, Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said to the ASEAN leaders.
A Manila Bulletin report said the Myanmar leader promised to facilitate safe repatriation of more than 600,000 Rohingyas who fled Rakhine state to Bangladesh.
She made the assurance reportedly after “concern” for the welfare of the displaced Rohingyas was raised during the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plenary summit led by president Duterte on Monday.
According to CNN Manila, Myanmar is open to aid for and repatriation of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Monday.
“Humanitarian assistance is welcomed; and repatriation of IDPs (internally displaced persons) within three weeks after MoU (memorandum of understanding) signing with Bangladesh,” Roque was quoted to have said.
“Myanmar specifically said that they are in the process of attending to the Kofi Annan report, that they welcome humanitarian assistance, and that the process of the repatriation for IDPs (internally displaced persons) IDPs will conclude within three weeks after signing of a memorandum of agreement or understanding with Bangladesh,” Roque was quoted to have added.
The spokesperson was present at the closed-door plenary session of the summit.
