134983 - Bangladesh: Rohingya (Answered)

Mrs Anne Main
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department has made an assessment of the effect on humanitarian access to Rohingya refugees of resettling those people on Bhasan Char island.

Alistair Burt

My officials and I have made clear to the Government of Bangladesh that any relocation of refugees must be safe, dignified, informed and voluntary, in accordance with international humanitarian principles, standards and laws. The UK Government has concerns that the island may not provide safe accommodation for Rohingya refugees and we have shared these concerns with the Government of Bangladesh. We will continue to do so, including in international meetings. The UK Government has had no involvement in developing plans for the proposed relocation of refugees to the island. We continue to work with the Government of Bangladesh and our humanitarian partners to further understand this proposal and its suitability. We have not received a request from the Government of Bangladesh to contribute to the relocation of refugees to Bhasan Char Island, or details of plans regarding the provision of food, water or other resources to people who may be accommodated on the Island.