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Myanmar Rohingya crisis: Deal to allow return of Rohingya Muslims Myanmar Rohingya crisis: Deal to allow return of Rohingya Muslims
(35 minutes later)
Bangladesh has signed a deal with Myanmar to return hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who fled a recent army crackdown.Bangladesh has signed a deal with Myanmar to return hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who fled a recent army crackdown.
No details have been released of the deal, which was signed by officials in the Myanmar capital, Nay Pyi Taw. A statement from the Bangladesh foreign ministry said displaced people could begin to return within two months.
Bangladesh said it was a "first step". Myanmar said it was ready to receive the Rohingya "as soon as possible". The two sides say they are working on the details of the deal, which was signed in Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw
Aid agencies have raised concerns about the forcible return of the Rohingya unless their safety can be guaranteed.Aid agencies have raised concerns about the forcible return of the Rohingya unless their safety can be guaranteed.
The Rohingya are a stateless minority who have long experienced persecution in Myanmar, also known as Burma.The Rohingya are a stateless minority who have long experienced persecution in Myanmar, also known as Burma.
More than 600,000 have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh since violence erupted in Rakhine state late in August.More than 600,000 have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh since violence erupted in Rakhine state late in August.
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Myanmar's military action against the minority Rohingya population constituted ethnic cleansing.On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Myanmar's military action against the minority Rohingya population constituted ethnic cleansing.
Last week the Burmese army exonerated itself of blame regarding the Rohingya crisis. "The 'Arrangement' stipulates that the return shall commence within two months," a press release from the Bangladeshi government said.
It denied killing any Rohingya people, burning their villages, raping women and girls, and stealing possessions. Few other details were released following the signing of the memorandum.
The assertions contradict evidence seen by BBC correspondents of a crisis the United Nations has also called ethnic cleansing. Bangladesh Mahmood Ali said it was a "first step". A senior Myanmar official Myint Kyaing said it was ready to receive the Rohingya "as soon as possible".
Amnesty International dismissed the Burmese military's denials as an attempted "whitewash". Myanmar's conditions of return remain unclear, and many Rohingya are terrified of being sent back.
How soon any repatriation process from Bangladesh might begin, or Myanmar's conditions of return, remain unclear.
Both countries are under pressure on the issue, for different reasons.Both countries are under pressure on the issue, for different reasons.
Bangladesh wants to show its population that the Rohingya will not be permanent residents - it was already hosting about 400,000 before the latest influx.Bangladesh wants to show its population that the Rohingya will not be permanent residents - it was already hosting about 400,000 before the latest influx.
The Burmese authorities - and particularly de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi - are responding to international calls to do more to resolve the crisis.The Burmese authorities - and particularly de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi - are responding to international calls to do more to resolve the crisis.
Last week the Burmese army exonerated itself of blame regarding the Rohingya crisis.
It denied killing any Rohingya people, burning their villages, raping women and girls, and stealing possessions.
The assertions contradict evidence seen by BBC correspondents of a crisis the United Nations has also called ethnic cleansing.
Pope Francis is due to arrive in Myanmar on 26 November. His visit will include meetings with army chief Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Aung San Suu Kyi, the Vatican has said.Pope Francis is due to arrive in Myanmar on 26 November. His visit will include meetings with army chief Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Aung San Suu Kyi, the Vatican has said.
The pontiff will later travel to the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, where he will meet Rohingya refugees.The pontiff will later travel to the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, where he will meet Rohingya refugees.