Bangladesh continues efforts to repatriate Rohingyas to Myanmar

Bangladesh on Friday continued its efforts to repatriate Rohingya refugees to Myanmar after a failed attempt the day before because none were willing to return.

Bangladesh officials on Thursday travelled to several camps in the western part of the country but did not find any refugee willing to return to Myanmar.

"The process was not suspended. If anyone comes to us and wants to be repatriated, we will take the person to the border and send him back," Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Abul Kalam told Efe news.

The first phase of the Rohingyas' voluntary repatriation to Myanmar was due to begin on Thursday, as per an agreement signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar on November 23, 2017.

Some 723,000 Rohingya refugees, who escaped a violent military crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine state in 2017, are living in camps in Cox's Bazar.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has urged Bangladesh to halt the repatriation plan, warning that it would violate international law and put the lives of the Rohingyas at serious risk.

--IANS

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