Myanmar, Bangladesh agree to repatriate refugees within two years

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Bangladesh has agreed to complete the process of returning Rohingya Muslim refugees to Myanmar within two years after repatriation begins. 

The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry made the statement on January 16 following a working-level meeting with Myanmar in the Myanmar capital city of Nay Pyi Taw on implementing the pact signed last year. 

The ministry did not say when the process would begin, but the country would set up five transit camps which would send Rohingyas to two reception centres on the Myanmar side of the border.

Myanmar also reiterated its commitment to stop the outflow of Myanmar residents to Bangladesh. 

The meeting in Nay Pyi Taw was the first of the two countries’ joint working group, which was set up to discuss the details of the November repatriation agreement.

Violence erupted in Myanmar’s Rakhine state on August 25, 2017 when Rohingya Muslims attacked 24 police stations and a military base. Counter military campaigns of Myanmar government troops followed, forcing many Rohingyas, mostly women and children, to flee to Bangladesh.-VNA