Myanmar 'ready to take back' Rohingya refugees
More than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims were forced to flee their homes in mainly Buddhist Myanmar amid a brutal military crackdown.
Thursday 23 November 2017 15:24, UK
Myanmar and Bangladesh have signed a deal to allow hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees to return home.
Myanmar's ministry of labour, immigration and population said: "We are ready to take them back as soon as possible after Bangladesh sends the forms back to us."
Before returning to Myanmar, also known as Burma, the refugees must write down their personal details on forms that will be given to the authorities.
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![A Rohingya refugee boy looks on at Balukhali refugee camp]()
Image: Around 618,000 Muslim Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh -
![Rohingya refugees at Balukhali camp in Bangladesh, where around 618,000 Muslim Rohingya have fled]()
Image: The exodus came amid a military crackdown -
![Rohingya refugee children wait for food in the Thankhali refugee camp]()
Image: Many ended up in refugee camps in Bangladesh -
![A Rohingya refugee takes a bath in Thankhali refugee camp]()
Image: Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has faced international criticism for the violence -
![A Rohingya refugee shop keeper waits for customers]()
Image: The persecution of the stateless minority has not yet officially been classed as a genocide -
![TOPSHOT - A Rohingya refugee boy flies a kite at Balukhali refugee camp in the Bangladeshi district of Ukhia on November 22, 2017. An estimated 618,000 Muslim Rohingya have fled mainly Buddhist Myanmar since a military crackdown was launched in Rakhine in August triggered an exodus, straining resources in the impoverished country. / AFP PHOTO / Munir UZ ZAMAN (Photo credit should read MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images)]()
Image: Many in Buddhist majority Myanmar are opposed to the Rohingyas' presence, believing them to be illegal migrants in their country -
![A Rohingya refugee with her children in her lap washing a cooking pot]()
Image: Myanmar now says it is 'ready to take them back as soon as possible' -
![A Rohingya refugee cooks in a restaurant at the Thankhali refugee camp]()
Image: A Rohingya refugee cooks in a restaurant at the Thankhali refugee camp -
![Rohingya refugee children collect firewood at Balukhali refugee camp]()
Image: Rohingya refugee children collect firewood at Balukhali refugee camp
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More than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims were forced to flee their homes in mainly Buddhist Myanmar amid a military crackdown.
The UN described the mass exodus as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing", and there were reports of widespread murder, brutal violence and systematic rape.
Myanmar insisted the crackdown was aimed at rooting out Rohingya "terrorists" behind an attack on 30 police posts in late August in Rakhine State which left 12 members of the security forces dead.
The persecution of the stateless minority has not yet officially been classed as a genocide or crime against humanity.
Earlier this month, Sky News footage showing emaciated women and newborn babies who had been dumped on beaches and left to die prompted discussion over Myanmar's treatment of the Muslim minority.
Leading charities warned of exploitation, trafficking and prostitution taking place against vulnerable Rohingya women and children in Bangladeshi camps.
Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has faced international criticism for failing to directly condemn the violence by the country's security forces.
US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said on Wednesday that those responsible for the atrocities "must be held accountable".
His comment came a week after he travelled to Myanmar to meet with Ms Suu Kyi and powerful military chief Min Aung Hlaing.
After the meeting the senior general said: "The situation must be acceptable for both local Rakhine ethnic people and Bengalis, and emphasis must be placed on [the wishes] of local Rakhine ethnic people who are real Myanmar citizens."
His use of the word Bengali - which implies the Rohingya are from Bangladesh rather than Myanmar - has caused concern among humanitarian workers.
The Rohingya - many of whom have lived in Myanmar for generations - were stripped of their citizenship in 1982 when they were excluded from a list of Myanmar's recognised ethnic groups.
Many in Buddhist majority Myanmar are opposed to the Rohingyas' presence, believing them to be illegal migrants in their country.