Outgoing United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi held separate meetings with several senior ministers of Myanmar’s military government in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday (September 09) to discuss the stalled repatriation of displaced persons from Bangladesh to Rakhine State.

According to junta-run media reports, Grandi met with Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt. Gen. Yar Pyae, Foreign Minister U Than Swe, Immigration and Population Minister U Myint Kyaing, and Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Minister Dr. Soe Win.

Filippo Grandi's Cox Bazar Rohingya Camps visit 

The discussions centered on the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Myanmar’s Ministry of Immigration and Population, UNDP, and UNHCR. The talks also touched on coordination with Bangladesh to advance the repatriation process, which has faced long delays due to ongoing armed conflict in Rakhine State.

Reports said the officials and the UNHCR chief exchanged views on the relocation of UNHCR staff from Buthidaung and Maungdaw to Sittwe and Yangon for security reasons. Authorities suggested the staff could return to their field offices if conditions stabilize.

In his meeting with Lt. Gen. Yar Pyae, discussions reportedly focused on cooperation with UNHCR to facilitate the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of displaced persons once peace and stability are restored in Rakhine.

Despite repeated agreements between Myanmar and Bangladesh since 2017, large-scale repatriation of Rohingya refugees has yet to begin, with both security concerns and lack of guarantees on rights and safety cited as key obstacles.

BOB Post