Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she has made representations to the Bangladeshi Government on its proposed transfer of Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char island.

My officials and I have made clear to the Government of Bangladesh that any relocation of refugees must be safe, dignified and in accordance with international humanitarian principles, standards and laws. We have concerns and questions about the island’s fitness for this purpose and have raised those with the Government of Bangladesh. The UK Government has not been involved in plans for the proposed relocation of refugees to the island. We continue to work with our humanitarian partners to further understand this proposal and its suitability.