Myanmar confirms 180,000 Rohingyas eligible for repatriation from Bangladesh

Myanmar has confirmed that 180,000 Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh are eligible to return, following negotiations during the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. This confirmation marks a significant step in the long-stalled repatriation process, as Bangladesh had previously submitted a list of 800,000 Rohingya refugees for verification between 2018 and 2020. Additionally, final verification for another 70,000 refugees is pending, with Myanmar promising to expedite the review of the remaining 550,000 names on the original list. Despite this progress, many refugees remain skeptical, with concerns about their safety and rights upon return to Myanmar. The discussions also included Bangladesh's offer of humanitarian assistance in light of recent earthquakes affecting Myanmar. This announcement follows years of failed repatriation attempts, leaving many Rohingya without hope of returning home safely.