UNHCR Says Conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State Not Conducive for Sustainable Return of Rohingya Refugees

The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has released a statement saying that the conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State are currently not suitable for the sustainable return of Rohingya refugees. The agency reiterated that every refugee has the right to return to their home country based on an informed choice, but no refugee should be forced to do so.

The statement comes after a Myanmar delegation’s visit to Bangladesh to meet with a group of refugees on a bilateral pilot project between the two countries on possible returns. UNHCR clarified that it is not involved in these discussions.

Bangladesh has consistently affirmed its commitment to voluntary and sustainable repatriation since the start of the crisis. UNHCR supports efforts to preserve the right to return and considers consultation of and dialogue with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh by all parties as essential to enable refugees to make an informed choice about return and build confidence amongst the community.

UNHCR has also consistently encouraged Myanmar to verify the previous residence of refugees in Bangladesh to lift any administrative obstacles to return when the refugees decide to do so. The agency supports efforts that could lead to the verification of all refugees and pave the way for eventual return.

UNHCR will continue to work with Bangladesh and Myanmar to ensure that Rohingya refugees maintain the right to return when they choose to do so, based on a fully informed and voluntary decision. The agency will also support efforts to create conditions that would be conducive to the sustainable return of Rohingya refugees in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

In Bangladesh, UNHCR will continue to support building the skills and capacities of refugees to facilitate their eventual return and sustainable reintegration in Myanmar. The 2023 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis in Bangladesh has recently been launched, and UNHCR calls for the international community’s continued robust support for this appeal, which is currently 10 per cent funded.