DHAKA: Bangladesh’s government and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have jointly launched an identity verification process for Rohingya refugees living in camps in Cox’s Bazar.
The process is expected to last six months and use biometric data, including iris scans and fingerprints, to confirm people’s identities, said the UNHCR.
“This exercise is a major step forward to establish the legal identity of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar,” said Kevin Allen, head of operations for the UNHCR in Cox’s Bazar.
“It makes clear that the Rohingya exist, that their rights must be respected, and that we are committed to laying the foundations for solutions.”
All refugees older than 12 years will get ID cards after their identities are verified, said Bangladeshi officials.
Some 150 UN and Bangladeshi government field workers are engaged in the verification process.
“We’ll use this database for better planning of aid management, and it’ll help aid agencies and Bangladesh’s government,” Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mohammad Abul Kalam told Arab News.
“It’ll help in avoiding service duplication, and ensure that every registered family and all verified people receive necessary aid.”
In November 2017, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a deal to start repatriating Rohingya refugees by Jan. 22, but Myanmar officials made identity verification a precondition.
“After this UN database, Myanmar’s government won’t get the chance to delay repatriation in the name of verification,” said Rashid Khan, a refugee in Balukhali camp.
More than 1.1 million Rohingya refugees live in makeshift camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
“Verification is an important milestone in contributing to securing the identity of persons who have fled from Myanmar and are now being generously hosted in Bangladesh,” the UNHCR said.
Abul Kalam said: “The repatriation process will continue as agreed. Joint verification will go on. The UNHCR will manage the database and correct any mistakes.”
UN, Bangladesh start joint ID verification of Rohingya refugees
UN, Bangladesh start joint ID verification of Rohingya refugees
- The process is expected to last six months and use biometric data, including iris scans and fingerprints, to confirm people’s identities
- In November 2017, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a deal to start repatriating Rohingya refugees by Jan. 22, but Myanmar officials made identity verification a precondition
Six killed in Mississippi, suspect charged with murder
- The victims — family members related to the suspect — were shot at three separate locations
- One of the victims was a child
MISSISSIPPI: Authorities have charged a 24-year-old man with murder after six people were killed in a series of shootings in northeast Mississippi.
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said the victims — family members related to the suspect — were shot at three separate locations late Friday. One of the victims was a child.
“I don’t know what kind of motive you could have to kill a 7-year-old,” he said at a press conference Saturday.
Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Woodruff identified Daricka M. Moore as the suspect. He faces a first-degree murder charge that could be upgraded to capital murder, Scott said. He may also face additional murder charges.
The shootings took place in the rural community of Cedarbluff, which is west of the county seat of West Point.
