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The UNHCR, international community and local government must recognize the right of refugees from Burma to community ownership of planning and decision making processes regarding repatriation and other solutions. The international community must acknowledge the existing capacity, skills and experiences of refugee communities and engage in meaningful and open cooperation. To prepare for repatriation, refugee communities require adequate support and funding to identify the needs of their communities and develop strategies to address them. Until conditions for safe return are guaranteed, sufficient support and funding for refugees outside Burma must continue to enable them to make meaningful and informed choices about their futures.

PARTICIPATION OF REFUGEES IN REPATRIATION PLANNING

REPATRIATION OF REFUGEES FROM BURMA

Voices of refugee communities

About the Centre for Refugee Research

The Centre for Refugee Research (CRR) has been working with Karen refugee communities on the Thailand-Burma border and Chin refugee communities in India for many years. The CRR is supporting the communities to develop
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comprehensive repatriation plans and participate in emerging plans developed by other stakeholders. For further information, please contact: Centre for Refugee Research The University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia Phone Number: +61 (02) 9385 1961 Fax Number: +61 (02) 9662 8991 Email address: crr@unsw.edu.au Website: www.crr.unsw.edu.au

If we go back to Burma, what will happen? How can we guarantee that we will be safe there? How will we start a livelihood?
Refugee from Burma, India, June 2012

Although there have been someBURMA of political and economic reform, CURRENT SITUATION IN indications the situation remains fragile and reforms have not been institutionalized. Serious concerns continue to exist regarding the situation for ethnic groups from Burma, including: Fighting continues between the Burmese military and ethnic resistance groups, despite the existence of ceasefires. In Karen state, Karen people were killed as recently as 13 June 2012. High troop numbers remain in other areas. Serious human rights violations by Burmese authorities are still being reported by ethnic communities, including the Karen and Chin. Communal violence has recently occurred in Arakine state and the Rohingya population continues to be denied citizenship by the Burmese Government. The existence of landmines in ethnic areas around villages poses a serious threat to safety. As a result of these issues, refugee communities have voiced concerns about the prospect of repatriation. They have identified several key concerns to be addressed by the UNHCR and the international community before repatriation occurs.

KEY CONCERNS OF REFUGEES ABOUT REPATRIATION

Women must be actively involved in the peace process and repatriation. Ensure access to justice and legal protections to prevent further rights abuses and to address past injustice. Protection mechanisms are needed for vulnerable groups including women, children, elderly people and people with disability. A legal registration process for all refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) is important especially for those not living in camps. Adequate food, healthcare and shelter must be available. Livelihoods options must be ensured in places of return, including vocational training and skills development prior to return, and awareness about labour rights. The importance of education as a protection tool should be recognized by ensuring access to education before and after repatriation. Measures to recognize prior education undertaken in camps and IDP areas, and the right to education in ones own culture, history and language are also imperative. Measures should be put in place to facilitate access to land, restitution of land and land rights.

Refugee communities from Burma have identified the following issues as key KEY CONCERNS OF REFUGEES ABOUT REPATRIATION concerns to be considered by all stakeholders in the process of planning for possible repatriation: A lasting, nationwide ceasefire agreement and international monitoring of the peace process is essential to restoring security. The withdrawal of government troops is essential to preventing ongoing human rights abuses. The removal of landmines must be a priority. The return and integration of IDPs should be prioritized before the return of refugees.

Existing community structures and leaders must be maintained and supported throughout repatriation. Freedom of association and legal and official recognition inside Burma should be guaranteed. Information and awareness-raising should be provided to communities about repatriation and their options. Training and support should be provided to community based organisations and individuals to develop skills and support the needs of communities during the repatriation process. Establish measures for independent monitoring the repatriation process including access to media. A range of durable solutions, including resettlement, are needed to ensure protection for refugees who cannot return to Burma, including refugees with political profiles, survivors of torture, and women and children at risk.