A high-level meeting between Bangladesh and Myanmar on forming a Joint Working Group for repatriation of the Rohingyas in progress in Dhaka on Tuesday. — FE Photo Bangladesh and Myanmar formed a joint working group on Tuesday to start next step of work for repatriation of Rohingyas living in Bangladesh and signed the terms of reference (TOR), reports UNB.
The agreed TOR mandates the JWG to undertake all necessary measures to start the safe and voluntary return, resettlement and reintegration process of displaced Myanmar residents as envisaged in the "Arrangement on Return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State."
There will be 15 members from each country in the JWG with Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque leading Bangladesh side in the group.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali conveyed the update to the media after nearly three-hour secretary-level meeting and negotiations held in the city.
He said the next step of repatriation process will start soon and expressed satisfaction over the progress made so far.
Following a negotiation held on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and his counterpart Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar Myint Thu signed the TOR of JWG on behalf of the respective governments at the State Guest House Padma in presence of the Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali.
A nine member Myanmar delegation led by its Permanent Secretary discussed with Bangladesh delegation and finalised the TOR.
Representatives from relevant Ministries and agencies of both countries participated in the meeting.
Earlier, a bilateral document on return of Rohingyas was signed by Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali and Union Minister Kyaw Tint Swe at the State Counsellor's Office on November 23 in Nay Pyi Taw.
According to the TOR, the JWG will develop physical arrangement for return, which would include mechanism of verification, time schedule, transport and logistics arrangements, reception procedures, communication etc. to commence the repatriation process within the stipulated time frame mentioned in the "Arrangement".
The JWG will assess the process and report to the respective governments quarterly.
The JWG shall involve assistance of the UNHCR and other mandated UN agencies and interested international partners in various stages of repatriation.
The JWG will ensure commencement of repatriation within two months of the signing of the "Arrangement".
A delegation, led by Myanmar's Permanent Secretary Myint Thu arrived in the city on Monday evening to attend the meeting.
The meeting started at 8:45 am at State guesthouse Meghna and ended at around 12:10 pm. Representatives from relevant ministries, including Home and Disaster Management, attended the meeting.
The joint working group was supposed to be in place within three weeks of signing the 'Arrangement' on return of Rohingyas.
Experts, however, said the process to repatriate Rohingyas living in Bangladesh is destined to face 'serious challenges' as these displaced Muslims are unwilling to return to their home immediately in absence of any future safeguard for them.
A number of Rohingyas who arrived in Bangladesh since 25 August claimed that they are living comfortably in Bangladesh without any fear and willing to stay here.
The United Nations has laid emphasis on the safe repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their homeland without any force.
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