Myanmar-Bangladesh: Governments agree to solution to Rohingya crisis /update 9

Event

On Monday, November 20, the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh reportedly agreed to a solution proposed by China to resolve the Rohingya refugee crisis. According to Chinese officials, the proposed three-stage solution will include establishing a ceasefire, negotiating an agreement on the repatriation of refugees, and further discussions on the finding of a long-term solution. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has reportedly offered to provide Myanmar with assistance in repatriating Rohingya refugees currently in Bangladesh.

Context

Over 600,000 Rohingya have fled into neighboring Bangladesh from Myanmar's Rakhine state amid a Burmese army crackdown on the Rohingya community that began following an attack on Burmese security forces on August 25. The UN has established a fact-finding mission to investigate crimes against humanity allegedly committed by the military during the counteroffensive. The persecution of the Rohingya people in Myanmar has drawn international criticism for alleged human rights violations; the UN has called the military operations a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.”

The current clashes and ensuing government crackdown come after months of simmering violence and ethnic tensions between the Buddhist majority and Rohingya Muslim in Myanmar.

Advice

Individuals present in Myanmar are advised to keep abreast of the situation and avoid the Bangladeshi border. Due to poor security conditions, some Western governments and Myanmar authorities advise their citizens against nonessential travel to Rakhine state - with the exception of the southern townships of Kyaukpyu, Ramree, Munaung, Toungup, Thandwe (including the tourist resort of Ngapali), and Gwa - and the Bangladeshi border.