The Myanmar government sent a 10-member delegation to Bangladesh to investigate the plight of Rohingya refugees earlier this week. However, several refugees say they envoys dismissed their claims of murder, rape, and torture at the hands of the Tatmadaw.
The delegation was led by USDP member U Zaw Myint Pe.
On Sunday and Monday, the Myanmar government delegation met refugees from the Kutupalong, Balukhali, and Leda refugee camps to ask them why they had fled to Bangladesh.
When the refugees unanimously explained that they had fled the Tatmadaw operations in Rakhine State, the Myanmar envoys reportedly dismissed the claims.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, one Rohingya refugee named Anwar Kamal alleged a Myanmar envoy responded to his description of atrocities in Rakhine State by calling him a liar.
“Whenever a refugee would speak, they would interrupt and say they were lying,” Kamal said. “I heard a delegation member say ‘These Rohingyas are making things up after fleeing to Bangladesh,’ which makes it clear that they’re just for show.”
Another Rohingya refugee named Hafez Ahmed said the refugees’ requests to return to Rakhine State when it is safe were met with silence from the envoys.
The 10-member delegation was accompanied by officials from the International Organisation for Migration and other aid agencies, none of whom have offered any statements to the media about the visit.
Over 70,000 Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh to escape violence perpetrated by the Tatmadaw.
A UN resolution expected later this week will call for a fact-finding mission into accusations of ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya in Rakhine state.
