Disclose MoU with Myanmar, TIB urges UN

Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) has criticised the United Nations (UN) for not disclosing the text of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) it signed with the Myanmar government on repatriation of Rohingya refugees.

It also urged the UN to make the MoU public to ensure transparency.

"According to international media reports, the conditions set in the MoU was conflicting with the just demand of Rohingyas including creating right condition in Rakhine state, ensuring their freedom of movement and their rights as free citizens," TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said in a statement issued on Monday.

He said the MoU is nothing, but part of a deep-rooted conspiracy to impose the burden of such a huge population on Bangladesh through eliminating the possibility of repatriation of Rohingyas.

"Keeping the content of the MoU secret is illogical and this move raises questions of the role of UN in covering up the atrocities carried out against Rohingyas by Myanmar security forces. UN Special Rapporteur Professor Yanghee Lee also raised the same question," the statement said.

TIB noted that the move to keep the MoU secret was also contradictory to the statement of the UN secretary general who recently demanded creation of right condition in Rakhine state to ensure safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees.

"Such a contradictory and unethical move by the UN exposes its failure as an organisation as it has raised questions about its sincerity in protecting international human rights," the statement added.

TIB also alleged that despite having reports on ethnic cleansing by Myanmar forces against Rohingyas, the UN had failed to make any move to stop it.

"Such role by the UN has raised question as to whether the main objective of the organisation was to raise fund in the name of humanitarian response by keeping the Rohingya crisis unresolved," the statement added.

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