Suu Kyi: Return of Rohingya refugees up to Bangladesh

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Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi said it was difficult to set a time frame for the return of people who fled to Bangladesh, without mentioning the Rohingya Muslims by name.

She remarked in a speech entitled "Myanmar's Democratic Transition: Challenges and Way Forward" during a lecture organized by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

Suu Kyi said spaces have been mapped out for the resettlement of people who fled to Bangladesh, where they live in refugee camps, but she said it was up to Bangladesh to decide how quickly Rohingya refugees would return to Myanmar.

During the lecture, she also said terrorism remains a threat in Rakhine State, adding the danger of terrorist activities is the initial cause of events leading to the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar state counselor, speaks during the Singapore Lecture in Singapore, August 21, 2018. /VCG Photo

The Rohingya crisis is billed as "the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world.” So how did this crisis unfold?

Last August, 12 soldiers were killed in Rohingya militant attacks in Myanmar's Rakhine State, sparking an army crackdown. More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled violence to Bangladesh since then.

Earlier this year, Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed to repatriate Rohingya refugees within two years.

The repatriation process was set to begin in January. But, only those with identity documents, which a lot of Rohingya refugees lack.

Young Rohingya refugee Mohammad Ayaz with his family photo in Jamtoli refugee camp in Ukhia, in the Bangladesh border area near Myanmar, July 20, 2018. /VCG Photo

The repatriation process was later delayed over fears the refugees would be forced to return against their will.

Despite that, the Myanmar government started the construction of a temporary camp in Rakhine's Maungdaw district.

In June, Myanmar and the United Nations reached a framework agreement to allow the safe and voluntary return of about 700,000 Rohingya Muslims seeking refuge in Bangladesh. But last month, the Red Cross said conditions in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine State are not ready yet for the repatriation.

(Cover: Rohingya refugees queue at an aid relief distribution center at the Balukhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, August 12, 2018. /VCG Photo)