WRITTEN QUESTION P-2155/03 by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Position of the Rohingya in Bangladesh.
Date: 2003-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Bangladesh, EU relations, European Commission, UNHCR, aid policy, aid to refugees, interinstitutional relations

C 88 E/68

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

(2004/C 88 E/0074)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2155/03

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

Subject: Position of the Rohingya in Bangladesh

(24 June 2003)

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.
in the
the Government will
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.

request assistance given that,

is unlikely that

It