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Myanmar signs pact with Bangladesh over Rohingya repatriation Myanmar signs pact with Bangladesh over Rohingya repatriation
(35 minutes later)
Myanmar and Bangladesh have signed a deal paving the way for the possible repatriation of Rohingya Muslims who have fled violence in Rakhine state.Myanmar and Bangladesh have signed a deal paving the way for the possible repatriation of Rohingya Muslims who have fled violence in Rakhine state.
More than 620,000 Rohingya have poured into Bangladesh since August, running from a military crackdown that Washington said this week clearly constituted ethnic cleansing. More than 620,000 Rohingya have crossed the border into Bangladesh since August, running from a military crackdown that Washington said this week clearly constituted ethnic cleansing.
“Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding today,” said Myint Kyaing, the permanent secretary of Myanmar’s ministry of labour, immigration and population. He said he was unauthorised to provide more details.“Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding today,” said Myint Kyaing, the permanent secretary of Myanmar’s ministry of labour, immigration and population. He said he was unauthorised to provide more details.
A Myanmar government spokesman, Zaw Htay, tweeted that an “agreement on repatriation” had been signed. He could not be reached for further comment.A Myanmar government spokesman, Zaw Htay, tweeted that an “agreement on repatriation” had been signed. He could not be reached for further comment.
In brief remarks to the press, Bangladesh’s foreign minister, AH Mahmood Ali, said: “This is a primary step. [They] will take back [Rohingya]. Now we have to start working.”In brief remarks to the press, Bangladesh’s foreign minister, AH Mahmood Ali, said: “This is a primary step. [They] will take back [Rohingya]. Now we have to start working.”
The scope of the repatriation – how many Rohingya will be allowed back – and the timeline remain unclear.The scope of the repatriation – how many Rohingya will be allowed back – and the timeline remain unclear.
Rights groups have raised concerns about the process, including where the minority group will be resettled after hundreds of their villages were razed, and how their safety will be ensured in a country where anti-Muslim sentiment is surging.Rights groups have raised concerns about the process, including where the minority group will be resettled after hundreds of their villages were razed, and how their safety will be ensured in a country where anti-Muslim sentiment is surging.
Pope Francis, who has been outspoken about his sympathy for the plight of the Rohingya, is due to visit both nations next week. Pope Francis, who has spoken about his sympathy for the plight of the Rohingya, is due to visit both nations next week.
The Rohingya are Muslims who live in majority-Buddhist Myanmar. They are often described as "the world's most persecuted minority". 
Nearly all of Myanmar's 1.1 million Rohingya live in the western coastal state of Rakhine. The government does not recognise them as citizens, effectively rendering them stateless.
In 2012, deadly clashes with Buddhists in Rakhine caused 140,000 Rohingya to flee their homes. Many have since paid people smugglers to take them on dangerous sea voyages to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, where they are often exploited.Extremist nationalist movements insist the group are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, although the Rohingya say they are native to Rakhine state.Rights groups accuse Myanmar authorities of ethnic cleansing, systematically forcing Rohingya from the country through violence and persecution, a charge the government has denied.
The stateless Rohingya have been the target of violence in mainly Buddhist Myanmar for years. They have been systematically oppressed by the government, which stripped them of citizenship and severely restricts their movement and access to basic services.The stateless Rohingya have been the target of violence in mainly Buddhist Myanmar for years. They have been systematically oppressed by the government, which stripped them of citizenship and severely restricts their movement and access to basic services.
The latest unrest erupted after Rohingya rebels attacked police posts on 25 August. The army backlash inflicted violence across northern Rakhine, with refugees recounting scenes of soldiers and Buddhist mobs slaughtering villagers and burning down entire communities.The latest unrest erupted after Rohingya rebels attacked police posts on 25 August. The army backlash inflicted violence across northern Rakhine, with refugees recounting scenes of soldiers and Buddhist mobs slaughtering villagers and burning down entire communities.
The military denies all allegations but has restricted access to the conflict zone. The Myanmar government has blocked visas for a UN-fact finding mission tasked with investigating allegations of military abuse.The military denies all allegations but has restricted access to the conflict zone. The Myanmar government has blocked visas for a UN-fact finding mission tasked with investigating allegations of military abuse.