- Home
- Miscellaneous
- UNICEF welcomes Bangladesh's assurance about not to force Rohingya Muslims to leave
UNICEF Welcomes Bangladesh's Assurance About Not To Force Rohingya Muslims To Leave
Umer Jamshaid Published November 17, 2018 | 01:57 AM
UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2018 ) ::The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF ) on Friday welcomed confirmation from the Bangladesh authorities that Rohingya refugees will not be returned to Myanmar against their will, amid reported ongoing rights violations there.
Hundreds of thousands Rohingya Muslim have fled Myanmar for Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar camps since late August 2017, amid widespread and systematic violence perpetrated against them.
An investigation, commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council maintained that the violence was principally committed by the country's security forces - particularly the military � and many violations amounted to the gravest crimes under internattional law.
"We have seen widespread reports that Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh may be forcibly repatriated to Myanmar, reports that UNICEF views with the utmost concern," UNICEF spokesperson Christophe Boulierac told reporters in Geneva.
"The camp authorities reinforced the message that while they are ready to repatriate refugees on a voluntary basis, no Rohingya refugee will be forced to return to Myanmar if they do not wish to do so," he added.
UNICEF's comments reflect the views of Rohingya refugees sheltering in Cox's Bazar, where conditions are preferable to the perceived risks of returning to Myanmar, Boulierac said.
"Unofficial polls conducted by our UNICEF colleagues in the camps have all reached the same conclusion: the overwhelming majority of refugees are unwilling to be repatriated unless their safety can be guaranteed," he explained.
In a regular Press briefing, Boulierac insisted that Rohingya communities inside Myanmar are still extremely vulnerable, before appealing for unhindered and simplified humanitarian access.
"Rohingya children and families who remain in Rakhine state continue to face particular hardship and are in need of humanitarian assistance due to ongoing restrictions on their freedom of movement and limited access to essential services, such as health and education," he said.
UNICEF's comments follow an appeal from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi, that Rohingya refugee returns should only take place at their freely expressed wish.
Echoing that message, UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic stressed on Friday that refugee repatriation anywhere in the world is based on the premise of the free and informed choice by the people who are supposed to return.
That has been our consistent line, Mahecic told journalists, also that has been a principle that is reflected in all of the documents, including the bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar that the international standards of refugee repatriation will be observed.
In addition to the incredibly worrying situation inside Myanmar, UNICEF remains seriously concerned about refugee children inside Bangladesh, warning of a lost generation.
In a bid to help youngsters in Cox's Bazar, the UN agency is continuing to roll out a series of educational initiatives for children of all ages, including providing a network of Learning Centres and Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs).
There are now more than 1,100 learning centres run by UNICEF and its partners in the camps which reach 124,000 children with education, Boulierac said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
18 hours ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
5 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
5 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
6 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
9 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
11 days ago
-
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
13 days ago -
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
13 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
13 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
13 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
15 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
15 days ago