Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DHAKA822
2009-08-20 10:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
UNHCR REPORTS INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, ENGAGEMENT
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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
-------
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
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