A delegation of Western diplomats led by US Ambassador to Bangladesh James F. Moriarty visited Burmese refugee camps here on April 29. The UNHCR in Bangladesh arranged the visit, said a refugee committee member on condition of anonymity.
Eight ambassadors to Bangladesh were in the delegation that visited the refugee camps, including ambassadors from Canada, France, the UK, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, Thailand and USA. The delegation comprised 10 members.
The delegation visited the Kutupalong official and unofficial refugee camps in Ukhia under Cox's Bazaar district and asked the refugees whether they wanted to return to Burma. The refugees said that they would not return to Burma, if citizenship rights and human rights are not guaranteed. The diplomats also talked to other refugees and visited schools with computers for children, different training centers and also took photographs of the camp and left, said another refugee from the camp.
Earlier on April 28, the envoys went to Cox’s Bazaar before visiting the Kutupalong camps and held a meeting in Deputy Commissioner Gias Uddin’s office with officials working in the camps, including police officers, government officials, NGOs and donor agencies, said our correspondent from Cox’s Bazaar.
At the meeting, the US ambassador said human rights of Rohingyas should be respected and the right to education, food and treatment should be ensured.
They also met separately the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), RRRC (Refugee Relief and Repatriation Committee) and NGO members in Cox’s Bazaar.
In Cox's Bazaar, the diplomats also held a press conference after meeting government and non-government officials.
The US Ambassador to Bangladesh James F. Moriarty said there is no obstacle to the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Burma, adding that, "If the Myanmar government was sincere the repatriation process could start right now." About 28,000 registered Rohingya refugees are living in the two camps at Kutupalong of Ukhia and Nayapara in Teknaf. Repatriation of the refugees has remained stalled for about four and-a-half years due to non-cooperation by Burma and the unwillingness of the refugees to return to their homeland, according to a local reporter from Cox’s Bazaar.
The ambassadors are Dugal, Inar Hepugurd Gensen, Sarli Cosarot, Hulgar Mycle, Dr. Arts Heren, Thasan Dyadi, Myanseron, Mikovan Gul, and Ms Sayan Prais, Nuru Islam and Koliar Af Gram.
