Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the agreement between the Governments of Bangladesh and Burma on the ability of Rohingya refugees to return safely to Burma.

The agreement between the governments of Burma and Bangladesh is a positive step. But the Burmese authorities need to take urgent measures to improve conditions in northern Rakhine state before starting any returns process, as well as allowing appropriate international oversight. At present, conditions are not suitable for Rohingya refugees to return to their homes safely, voluntarily and in dignity, in line with UN principles.

The UN Security Council Presidential Statement of 6 November, agreed at UK instigation, called for the voluntary return of refugees in conditions of safety and dignity. I underlined this point when I met the Burmese Defence Minister and the Minister for the Office of State Counsellor, as well as the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister, in late November in Naypyidaw. We welcomed the commitment of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, in a speech on 19 September and reiterated on 12 October, on the right of return for those who have fled, but urgently seek progress on this pledge.