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(2004/C 88 E/0074)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2155/03

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 June 2003)

Subject:   Position of the Rohingya in Bangladesh

Is the Commission aware of the subordinate position of the Rohingya people in Arakan/Burma, where they are deprived of citizenship and subjected to flagrant human rights violations, and of the deportation of some 121 000 Rohingya to Bangladesh, where 21 000 of them have been forcibly housed by the Bangladeshi authorities in two officially recognised refugee camps and at least 100 000 more live as illegal immigrants?

Is the Commission aware of the existence of a new, unofficial makeshift camp in Teknaf, established by the Bangladeshi army after Operation Clean Heart, where 4 000 illegal immigrants are forced to live in inhuman conditions and no assistance is given by the Bangladeshi authorities, and which from July will be in danger of being washed away by the monsoon, giving rise to a humanitarian disaster?

Is the Commission prepared to bring pressure to bear on the Bangladeshi authorities to allow emergency help to be brought to the Teknaf makeshift camp, thus preventing a humanitarian disaster?

Joint answer

to Written Questions P-2104/03 and P-2155/03

given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2003)

The Commission has closely followed the Rohingya refugee situation in Bangladesh ever since the beginning of the crisis. It has provided support to two official refugee camps in Cox's Bazar since their inception through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and is still currently doing so. In view of the continued unstable socio-political situation in Myanmar the Commission has requested the Government of Bangladesh and UNHCR to extend the provisions of care and maintenance to the 22 000 Rohingyas in the two official camps to 2004.

Early 2003 the Commission has been informed, by a Dutch non-governmental organisation, of the existence of an unofficial camp in Teknaf, which was created in the aftermath of the Operation Clean Heart. In view of the critical living conditions in this camp as well as in the official Rohingya refugee camps, the Commission's Delegation in Dhaka planned to assess the situation on the ground in early spring 2003. This has, however, not materialised due to travel restrictions imposed on diplomats during the Iraq war. Given the lifting of the travel restrictions, a visit to the camps is now being envisaged again.

The Commission had extensive discussions with the Government on the situation of the Rohingya refugees just recently, at the May 2003 specialised sub-group on Human Rights and Governance in Dhaka. In that context the Commission also raised its concerns regarding the conditions in the refugee camps. While the integration of refugees is an option clearly excluded by the Bangladesh Government, there was agreement on continued support of the two official refugee camps, in co-operation with UNHCR.

The Commission shares the concern of the Parliament with regard to the humanitarian situation in the unofficial camp of Teknaf. Unfortunately, the scope for support from donor organisations and notably the Commission is reduced, due to the legal situation of the camp population. As the camp inhabitants do not have a legal refugee status and are thus considered by the Government to live in the country illegally, assistance cannot be provided, unless at the request of the Government.

The EC Delegation, which is in regular and close contact with UNHCR on the Rohingya refugees, has consulted UNHCR just recently on the current conditions in the unofficial camp and the possibility to provide support. As the Government has not called on the UNHCR's support, no operations can be expected for now. It is unlikely that the Government will request assistance given that, in the Government's opinion, this would set a precedent and attract more Rohingyas to cross the border. The EC Delegation will follow the situation closely and pursue consultation with UNHCR and Humanitarian Aid Organisations while further addressing the issue with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

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