Myanmar, Bangladesh agreed on border cooperation

By Kyaw Ye Lynn

YANGON, Myanmar (AA) - Myanmar and Bangladesh have signed two agreements on Tuesday in a bid to resolve the Rohingya refugee crisis affecting both countries.

A delegation led by Bangladeshi Home Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Khan had arrived in Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw on Monday to discuss border security and the repatriation of Rohingya Muslims who fled a violent military-led crackdown in western Maynmar’s Rakhine state.

The meeting led to the signing of two memoranda of understanding on improved border cooperation between the neighbors, including frontier liaison offices.

“The repatriation of those who fled to Bangladesh still needs further negotiation between us,” Tin Myint, Myanmar’s permanent secretary for home affairs, told Anadolu Agency.

Since Aug. 25, an estimated 603,000 Rohingya have crossed from Myanmar's western state of Rakhine into Bangladesh, according to the UN.

According to Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali, around 3,000 Rohingya were killed in the crackdown.

Myanmar does not recognize Rohingya as its citizens and considers them illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.

Last October, following attacks on border posts in Rakhine's Maungdaw district, security forces launched a five-month crackdown in which, according to Rohingya groups, around 400 people were killed.

The UN documented mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings, and disappearances committed by security personnel. In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.