Myanmar to take back Rohingya refugees if they return voluntarily

National Security Adviser of Myanmar Thaung Tun on Saturday said that his country is willing to take back all 7,00,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees who have fled to Bangladesh if they volunteer to return.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue regional security conference in Singapore, Thaung Tun said "If you can send back 7,00,000 on a voluntary basis, we are willing to receive them".

Myanmar does not deny that what is unfolding in northern Rakhine is a humanitarian crisis, the adviser said. "While the military had the right to defend the country, if investigations showed they had acted illegally, action would be taken" he added.

It may be mentioned here that around 7,00,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled a military crackdown in the country since August, 2017.

Myanmar on Thursday signed an agreement with the United Nations aimed at eventually allowing the Rohingya Muslims taking refuge in Bangladesh to return safely by choice.

(Inputs from AIR)