Envoys concerned as Myanmar fails to create safe environment for Rohingya repatriation

Ambassador of Denmark Winnie Petersen, Ambassador of Norwey Sidsel Bleken, Ambassador of Sweden Charlotta Schlyter and ambassador of Switzerland René Holenstein visits Cox’s Bazar on 25 and 26 September. Photo: Courtesy
Ambassador of Denmark Winnie Petersen, Ambassador of Norwey Sidsel Bleken, Ambassador of Sweden Charlotta Schlyter and ambassador of Switzerland René Holenstein visits Cox’s Bazar on 25 and 26 September. Photo: Courtesy

Ambassadors of four European countries have expressed their concern as the conditions for return of the Rohingya refugees to Rakhine State in Myanmar in a voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable manner are not yet met.

The international community must work jointly to urge and support steps by Myanmar towards a situation where this will be possible, the heads of mission of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland said that at a joint press statement following their visit in Cox’s Bazar.

Ambassador of Denmark Winnie Petersen, Ambassador of Norway Sidsel Bleken, Ambassador of Sweden Charlotta Schlyter and Ambassador of Switzerland René Holenstein visited Cox’s Bazar on 25 and 26 September.

The envoys praised Bangladesh government and the local community for hosting Rohingyas.
“We reiterate our high appreciation of the continued humanitarian and other assistance provided to the Rohingya refugee population by the government and the people of Bangladesh, including by the local communities around Cox’s Bazar,” the statement reads.

Commending work done by the humanitarian agencies in facing this crisis, the envoys said, “The strong collaboration between the Bangladeshi government, local actors and the international community through the UN, INGOs and NGOs has been key to this response.”

They said that the UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs involved in the humanitarian response are playing instrumental roles in Cox’s Bazar, not only to alleviate the suffering of the refugee population but also to support the host communities.

“We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to continue its close collaboration with the humanitarian organisations, to preserve humanitarian operational space, and to enable them to function in a free and unimpeded manner and in a safe and secure environment,” the joint statement added.