KALADAN NEWS

Dated: December 30, 2004

 


SYMBOLIC REPATRIATION OF REFUGEES STARTED AGAIN

 

Cox’s Bazar, Dec 30: Today, a group of 10 Rohingya refugees from one family were repatriated to Burma again, said the UNHCR official from Cox’s Bazar office, Bangladesh, who decline to mention his name.

 

“It is a good symbol for the repatriation refugees. We hope that the repatriation process will be continued in future. It is first time repatriation after it was stalled in last August 9, 2004 after the repatriation of 7 members from 2 families, UNHCR official further said.

 

Head of repatriated family is identified as Jafar Ahmed, from Meetike (Medai- Fanirsora) Village tract under Maungdaw Township, Arakan State. He was in Dechua Palong Camp-I in 1991-92, then he was transferred to Kutupalong camp. In 1996, he was shifted to Ghudum camp-II, later shifted to Kutupalong again only to send back to Burma. Finally he was compelled for repatriation, said a refugee leader from Kutupalong camp on condition of anonymity.

 

The repatriation of  one family with 10 persons is a result of deadly attack on Kutupalong camp on November 18 and 19, 2004. Presently, the camp officials are putting pressures on refugees to go back to there home, he further said.

 

We have no guarantee for our life and liberty in Burma, while we are neither the citizen of Burma nor Bangladesh even non of the world. We are like hunting bird, killed by Burma and also killed by Bangladesh. There is no justice for us. So, we don’t want to go back to Burma until our rights are not ensured”, said another refugee leader from the camp.

 

There is no government in Burma that can ensure our rights while the leader of NLD, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is being arrested. So, we need supports from International community to find a durable solution, sources said.

 

According to Ahmed, a refugee from Nayapara refugee camp, we are in fear of forceful reparation that has already started from Kutupalong camp after attacks in it on November 18.

 

On December 4, 2004, UNHCR’s Asia-Pacific Director, Ms. Janet Lim visited the Rohingya refugee camps and ordered to concerned officials to stop repatriation process and to find out the reasons behind the butchery attack on refugees.

 

In 1991-92, there were about 2, 50,000 Rohingya (Arakanese) refugees crossed border and took shelter in Bangladesh. Of them, the vast majority were repatriated since the first repatriation had taken place on September 22, 1992.

 

Now, there are about 20,000 Rohingya refugees are living in two official camps of Kutupalong and Nayapara, while about 6, 00,000 Rohingyas refugees are reportedly living in Bangladesh including over 10,000 in Teknaf unofficial camp of Bangladesh. # #

 

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