UNHCR REPORTS INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, ENGAGEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000822 SIPDIS PRM FOR HOA TRAN AND MARGARET BURKHARDT E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF PREL BG BM SUBJECT: UNHCR REPORTS INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, ENGAGEMENT ON ROHINGYAS IN BURMA AND BANGLADESH REF: DHAKA 637 Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) In a recent briefing to donors on Rohingya refugees, UNHCR Regional Rep Raymond Hall expressed cautious optimism, noting that Burmese and Bangladeshi officials had confirmed in recent meetings that both governments were open to continued dialogue. Hall noted improvements in conditions for Rohingyas in Burma but acknowledged that they still did not possess many basic rights. Government of Bangladesh (GOB) officials have shown new willingness to discuss with UNHCR the up to 300,000 unregistered Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. End summary. CONDITIONS IN BURMA IMPROVE -------------- ¶2. (C) In an August 9 brief to the Dhaka-based diplomatic community, Hall reported that the Burmese Government had improved conditions for Rohingyas in the Northern Rakhine State of Burma since UNHCR Antonio Guterres' March 2009 visit, which had resulted in the renewal of UNHCR's permission to operate there. Hall noted the Rohingya community had better access to water, land, and education, as well as improved infrastructure and agriculture. Despite this progress, Hall acknowledged the Burmese Government's continued disregard for Rohingyas' rights. The Rohingya community did not have freedom of movement, even within the Rakhine State; they were not able to marry and were still victims of illegal seizure of their land and property. BURMESE ON REPATRIATION IN THE LONG TERM -------------- ¶3. (C) Recognizing these constraints, UNHCR ResRep Hall nonetheless expressed broad satisfaction with the growing collaboration between the Burmese government and UNHCR, especially given the military-led government's prickly relations with the outside world. Even though the Government of Burma would not accept a return of refugees, it acknowledged the UNHCR's conviction that the only solution to the Rohingya issue would be repatriation to Burma of the refugee population from Bangladesh. Hall said the Burmese government also acknowledged the need to stabilize the remaining Rohingya population in the Rakhine State to lessen the "pull factor" creating additional refugees. GOB WILLING TO DISCUSS UNREGISTERED ROHINGYAS -------------- ¶4. (C) Hall reported that the Government of Bangladesh had indicated to him a willingness to discuss the problem of unregistered refugees and ways to improve the socio-economic disparity of the refugee population in and around Cox's Bazaar. With estimates of unregistered Rohingyas ranging from 100,000 to 300,000, the GOB's willingness to engage on the future of unregistered Rohingyas with the UNHCR was significant, Hall explained. UNHCR's formal discussion of Rohingya repatriation with the GOB had previously only covered the approximately 28,000 Rohingyas registered as refugees in Bangladesh. COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (C) UNHCR ResRep Hall's cautious "optimism" overstates incremental progress on the intractable Rohingya issue. That said, Hall's report indicates an opening for UNHCR which, with strong, coordinated donor support, can perhaps leverage these positive developments for additional progress. While continuing our engagement with the donor community and the Government of Bangladesh, we will continue to explore and exploit opportunities to move the ball forward. MORIARTY