Interview of the Rohingyas resumes after first attempt failed

Teknaf: Interview of the listed Rohingyas has resumed here at Shalbagan repatriation camp. On Thursday 33 listed families appeared in the interview.

After the interview remained suspended for 13 days it was held from 9 Morning to 4 Afternoon at the camp no 26 on Thursday (Sept.5).

33 listed Rohingya families placed their opinions to the representatives of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) and Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) of Bangladesh.

Confirming this the RRRC representative and in-charge of Jadimora and Shalbagan camps Mohammad Khalid Hossain said that the listed Rohingyas have again expressed their opinions. Their opinions will be written in a prescribed form and will be communicated to the higher authorities. All the Rohingyas in the repatriation list will be interviewed gradually.

Earlier from last August 20 to August 22, 339 families were taken interview by the representatives of UNHCR and RRRC. 

According to previous plan 3540 families were supposed to be repatriated but the attempt failed for the second time due to the reluctance of the Rohingyas.

The list of repatriation of Shalbagan camp contained the names of 4350 Rohingyas of 933 families.

In the earlier interview the Rohingyas demanded the citizenship, security and trial of the killers of genocide. Simultaneously they demanded the rights on their left out properties in Rakhaine state and compensation for the losses.

One Momtaj Begum (26) who gave interview told barta24.com that, ‘I was asked whether I would go back to Myanmar but I replied in negative. When I was asked the reason of my negative answer I told them that I want to get back my left out properties, citizenship and justice for genocide.’

Her husband Shamshul Alam was standing beside Momtaj Begum with a little bright child of three months Rumen. Pointing to the baby Momtaj said that how I go back because the list does not contain the names of my husband and my baby.

Once I was saved luckily from being killed in Myanmar but still there is no environment to live on or go back.

One official not to be named related with the repatriation process said that beside the Shalbagan camp, the interview of the listed Rohingyas  for repatriation will also be held at camp  number 24 & 25 of Leda in the next week. Those who were interviewed so far none agree to back to Myanmar unconditionally.