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Written question asked by Anne Main (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 July 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 September 2019. It was answered by Heather Wheeler (Conservative) on Monday, 9 September 2019 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Burma: Rohingya

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Myanmar and (b) Bangladeshi counterpart on the safe repatriation of the Rohingya refugees in southern Bangladesh.

Answer

We are clear that any repatriation of refugees must be safe, voluntary, dignified and meet international humanitarian principles and standards. We agree with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that the conditions for such repatriation do not yet exist in Rakhine.

Following recent reports of potential repatriations, we worked closely with the UNHCR, and engaged with the Governments in Bangladesh and Myanmar to underline that returns must be safe, voluntary and dignified. We welcome Bangladesh's continued commitment to the principle of voluntariness and note Myanmar's acknowledgement that some Rohingya have a right to return. We will continue to make representations to the Governments of both Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
282246
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Refugees Repatriation Myanmar Bangladesh Rohingya
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk