Myanmar to take its refugees back from Bangladesh

NAYPYIDAW, Dec 20 (AFP): Myanmar will take back some of its refugees from neighbouring Bang­ladesh, an official said Tuesday, adding that hundreds of thousands of ethnic Rohingyas will not be covered by the deal. The agreement to repatriate Myanmar refugees was reached at a meeting earlier this month between President Thein Sein and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a senior immigration ministry official told AFP. "Those refugees from Bangladesh who meet four key criteria will be allowed to come back," the official said, adding that Myanmar expected around 2,500 refugees would meet the conditions, which include legally proving citizenship. Ethnic Rohingyas will not be included in the repatriation as they are not Myanmar citizens but Bangalis who migrated around the time of the Second World War when both countries were under British rule, he added. Described by the United Nations as one of the most persecuted minorities on earth, the Rohingyas have no legal right to own land in Myanmar and are banned from marrying or travelling without permission.