DHAKA: Bangladesh will work with the United Nations refugee agency to determine if more than 3,000 Rohingya refugees will accept Myanmar's offer to return home, an official said on Monday (Aug 19), nearly a year after a major repatriation plan failed.More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Rakhine for camps in Bangladesh after a military-led crackdown in August 2017 the United Nations has said was perpetrated with "genocidal intent", but many refugees refuse to go back, fearing more violence."It will be a joint exercise led by UNHCR," Abul Kalam, Bangladesh's Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, told Reuters by telephone on Monday, referring to the refugee agency.Myanmar has cleared 3,450 people from a list of more than 22,000 refugees provided by Bangladesh, government spokesman Zaw Htay told a news conference in the capital Naypyitaw on Friday."We have already negotiated with Bangladesh to accept these 3,450 people on August 22," he said, adding they would be divided into seven … [Read more...] about Bangladesh, UNHCR to survey Rohingya regarding return to Myanmar
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Myanmar signs deal with UNHCR on humanitarian aid
Dr.Ko Ko Naing, a director general at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, told The Nation on Friday that the authorities recently had a “fruitful discussion” with Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, who was in the country for a five-day visit which began on Monday. “We have been actively cooperating with UN agencies over the past few years, and UNHCR is one of them. (On Thursday) we discussed with Grandi further plans for collaboration,” he said. Officials on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on collaboration in disaster management and humanitarian works with Grandi. The agreement, signing in Nay Pyi Taw, will strengthen Myanmar’s ties with the UN refugee agency, allowing UNHCR’s assistance in the event of disasters. “We will ensure to prioritise security and stability of the conflicted areas while undertaking humanitarian works in disaster-hit regions,” he said. According to … [Read more...] about Myanmar signs deal with UNHCR on humanitarian aid
Migrant death ship to be shown at Venice art fair
The remains of the worst known Mediterranean migrant shipwreck, in which up to 900 people died, will be exhibited at the prestigious Venice Biennale art fair this week. The blue and red fishing boat was carrying almost 1,000 migrants when it struck a Portuguese cargo ship that was coming to its aid off the coast of Libya during the night of April 18-19, 2015. The boat sank quickly as the cargo ship's horrified crew raced to save 28 people. Swiss artist Christoph Buchel obtained permission from Italian authorities and a group that represents the victims to transport the hull to Venice as part of a project called "Barca Nostra" (Our Boat). It will be shown in a shipyard by itself, without any explanation. Read also: Handiwirman Saputra: Third Indonesian artist to exhibit work at Venice Biennale "It is a quiet site, sheltered from noise, an invitation to silence and meditation," said Paolo Baratta, the head of the Venice Biennale which opens on Saturday. Italy spent around 10 million … [Read more...] about Migrant death ship to be shown at Venice art fair
OneSiam One Run a triple fundraiser
Backed by Boon Rawd Trading, Virgin Active and Sport Mall, the Sunday event is a fundraiser for UNHCR (the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), the Thairath Foundation and the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation. The run starts at 5.30am in front of Siam Paragon. “Health is always a major concern, so we would like to encourage people to take good care of their health and also promote running,” said Mayuree Chaipromprasith, senior executive vice president at Siam Piwat. “The theme is ‘Be Amazed with extraordinary experiences, Be Inspired with determination and good energy, and Be Revolutionary by reaching your potential’. We expect about 3,000 participants. And we’ve invited three noted fashion designers to design the race Tshirt and medals, each one supporting a different foundation.” Phupawit Kritpolnara, founder and designer at Issue, has incorporated a heart shape in his T-shirt to express … [Read more...] about OneSiam One Run a triple fundraiser
Refugees should not have to pay fee to seek asylum: UN
GENEVA: The U.N. refugee agency said on Tuesday (Apr 30) that seeking asylum was a fundamental right and that people lodging applications should not be made to pay a fee, as proposed by the Trump administration.U.S. President Donald Trump directed officials to toughen rules for asylum seekers on Monday, including by introducing a fee for their applications and barring those who entered the country illegally from working until their claims are approved.UNHCR spokesman Charlie Yaxley, asked about the U.S. move, told Reuters: "People shouldn't be charged financially to exercise that right."He told reporters in Geneva he had no specific information about Trump's move, but said: "Seeking asylum is a fundamental human right. People should be allowed to exercise those rights when seeking to seek asylum."The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) upholds compliance with a 1951 treaty, ratified by the United States, that says people fleeing conflict and persecution deserve international … [Read more...] about Refugees should not have to pay fee to seek asylum: UN