Britain's aviation regulator said on Monday that refunds of bookings by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/most-thomas-cook-holidaymakers-back-in-uk-252603">Thomas Cook</a> customers could take longer than expected as the regulator does not have all information needed from the collapsed travel firm.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that it was launching a new, online payment system next week for bookings made by payments methods other than direct debit and would enable customers to get refunds within 60 days of receiving refund forms.

A total of 100,000 bookings made by direct debit would be refunded within the next 14 days.

53 flights are scheduled to operate on September 30, returning 8,000 people following the collapse of collapsed British travel firm Thomas Cook, the regulator said.

CAA said more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-repatriate-16000-people-on-fourth-day-of-thomas-cook-collapse-252153">two-thirds of the total number of customers have been repatriated</a>.

Britain's aviation regulator said on Monday that refunds of bookings by Thomas Cook customers could take longer than expected as the regulator does not have all information needed from the collapsed travel firm.

Britain's aviation regulator said on Monday that refunds of bookings by Thomas Cook customers could take longer than expected as the regulator does not have all information needed from the collapsed travel firm. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that it was launching a new, online payment system next week for bookings made by payments methods other than direct debit and would enable customers to get refunds within 60 days of receiving refund forms. A total of 100,000 bookings made by direct debit would be refunded within the next 14 days. 53 flights are scheduled to operate on September 30, returning 8,000 people following the collapse of collapsed British travel firm Thomas Cook, the regulator said. CAA said more than two-thirds of the total number of customers have been repatriated.

Thomas Cook customers may face two-month delay for refunds

Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that over 70 flights are scheduled to bring back 16,000 people to the country on Thursday following the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/travellers-stranded-abroad-other-cases-before-thomas-cook-251538">collapse of Thomas Cook</a>.

The authority also said that over 150 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/thomas-cook-collapses-why-and-what-happens-now-251531">Thomas Cook</a> crew members and 30 per cent of the total number of passengers had been flown back in the first three days of post-collapse operations.

CAA said that its flying programme would continue until October 6, with more than 1,000 flights planned in total. The Aviation Regulator launched the largest peacetime repatriation on Monday.

"Due to the significant scale of the situation, some disruption is inevitable, but the Civil Aviation Authority will endeavour to get people home as close as possible to their planned dates," it said.

A fleet of aircraft will be used to repatriate British citizens. In a small number of destinations, alternative commercial flights will be used.

About 50,000 tourists are stranded in Greece, mainly on islands, a Greek tourism ministry official told Reuters on Monday.

The CAA has launched a special website,&nbsp;thomascook.caa.co.uk, where affected customers can find details and information on repatriation flights.

For those customers not flying from Britain, alternative arrangements will have to be found. In Germany, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thomas-cook-shuts-down-abruptly-leaves-thousands-of-passengers-stranded-251760">a popular customer market for Thomas Cook</a>, insurance companies will coordinate the response.

Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that over 70 flights are scheduled to bring back 16,000 people to the country on Thursday following the collapse of Thomas Cook.

Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that over 70 flights are scheduled to bring back 16,000 people to the country on Thursday following the collapse of Thomas Cook. The authority also said that over 150 Thomas Cook crew members and 30 per cent of the total number of passengers had been flown back in the first three days of post-collapse operations. CAA said that its flying programme would continue until October 6, with more than 1,000 flights planned in total. The Aviation Regulator launched the largest peacetime repatriation on Monday. "Due to the significant scale of the situation, some disruption is inevitable, but the Civil Aviation Authority will endeavour to get people home as close as possible to their planned dates," it said. A fleet of aircraft will be used to repatriate British citizens. In a small number of destinations, alternative commercial flights will be used. About 50,000 tourists are stranded in Greece, mainly on islands, a Greek tourism ministry official told Reuters on Monday. The CAA has launched a special website, thomascook.caa.co.uk, where affected customers can find details and information on repatriation flights. For those customers not flying from Britain, alternative arrangements will have to be found. In Germany, a popular customer market for Thomas Cook, insurance companies will coordinate the response.

UK to repatriate 16,000 people on fourth day of Thomas Cook collapse

Pakistan on Monday halted repatriation of two Indian civilian prisoners, just hours after the Indian government announced that it will be removing the special status for the Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370.

When the Indian officials reached the take custody of the prisoners, the Pakistan authorities refused. India later sent a note verbale regarding the issue.

Pakistan is mulling several actions against India in the backdrop of abrogation of Article 370 including cutting diplomatic ties, closure of Wagah border.

Former Pakistani Envoy to India Abdul Basit in a tweet said work on Kartarpur corridor that will allow Indian pilgrims to visit holy Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib without a visa in November 2019 to celebrate 550 birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

He tweeted, "We would welcome Sikhs to come to Pakistan in November on the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak but work on Kartarpur Corridor should stop for now."

The situation of Indian and Pakistani prisoners languishing in each other's jail has been one of the biggest humanitarian issues between the two countries.

India in July released six Pakistani prisoners and returned them to Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border. In April, Pakistan released 360 Indian prisoners after New Delhi in 4 batches.&nbsp;

In its first term, the Modi government was able to secure the release of 1749 Indian prisoners, including 1725 fishermen along with 57 boats.

In December 2018, Pakistan releasing Indian Citizen Hamid Nehal Ansari after 6 years in jail. Hamid was arrested by Pakistani authorities in 2012 after he was found with a fake passport. He had gone to Pakistan via Afghanistan on a fake passport to meet a girl he befriended on Facebook.&nbsp;It was followed by the release of 2 Pakistani nationals by India—Imran Warsi and Abdullah Shah.

Pakistan on Monday halted repatriation of two Indian civilian prisoners, just hours after the Indian government announced that it will be removing the special status for the Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370.

Pakistan on Monday halted repatriation of two Indian civilian prisoners, just hours after the Indian government announced that it will be removing the special status for the Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370. When the Indian officials reached the take custody of the prisoners, the Pakistan authorities refused. India later sent a note verbale regarding the issue. Pakistan is mulling several actions against India in the backdrop of abrogation of Article 370 including cutting diplomatic ties, closure of Wagah border. Former Pakistani Envoy to India Abdul Basit in a tweet said work on Kartarpur corridor that will allow Indian pilgrims to visit holy Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib without a visa in November 2019 to celebrate 550 birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He tweeted, "We would welcome Sikhs to come to Pakistan in November on the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak but work on Kartarpur Corridor should stop for now." The situation of Indian and Pakistani prisoners languishing in each other's jail has been one of the biggest humanitarian issues between the two countries. India in July released six Pakistani prisoners and returned them to Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border. In April, Pakistan released 360 Indian prisoners after New Delhi in 4 batches. In its first term, the Modi government was able to secure the release of 1749 Indian prisoners, including 1725 fishermen along with 57 boats. In December 2018, Pakistan releasing Indian Citizen Hamid Nehal Ansari after 6 years in jail. Hamid was arrested by Pakistani authorities in 2012 after he was found with a fake passport. He had gone to Pakistan via Afghanistan on a fake passport to meet a girl he befriended on Facebook. It was followed by the release of 2 Pakistani nationals by India—Imran Warsi and Abdullah Shah.

Abrogation of Article 370: Pakistan halts repatriation of two Indian prisoners

Hundreds of Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh protested on Thursday against any attempt to send them back to Myanmar after sources in Bangladesh said the launch of a repatriation plan had been postponed.

Bangladesh had begun preparations to repatriate an initial batch of Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar on Thursday, in line with a plan agreed with Myanmar in October.

But there have been extensive doubts about the plan and it has been opposed by the UN refugee agency and aid groups, who fear for the safety of the Rohingya in Myanmar, and by many Rohingya in camps in Bangladesh.

"No, no, we won't go," hundreds of Rohingya protesters chanted in the Unchiprang camp in southeast Bangladesh, near the Myanmar border.

Some protesters also waved placards that said "We want justice," and "We will never return to Myanmar without our citizenship".

More than 700,000 Rohingya fled a sweeping army crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine state last year, according to UN agencies, launched in response to Rohingya insurgent attacks on the security forces.

The Rohingya refugees say soldiers and Buddhist civilians massacred families, burned hundreds of villages and carried out gang rapes. UN-mandated investigators have accused the Myanmar army of "genocidal intent" and ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar denies almost all of the accusations, saying its security forces have been engaged in a counter-insurgency operation against "terrorists".

Earlier, three sources directly briefed on the issue, said repatriation would not begin on Thursday as none of those selected to go back had agreed to.

"Nobody wants to go back," said one of the sources.

The repatriation of a first group of 2,200 refugees was to begin on Thursday, and officials in Myanmar had said they were ready to receive the returnees.

But Bangladesh has vowed not to force anyone to return and it has asked the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to make sure those short-listed to return really want to go back.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Bangladeshi officials were due to meet Myanmar counterparts at a border crossing to inform them that no one had agreed to return.

The Bangladesh government declined to comment.

Unverified images on social media showed officials on the Myanmar side of the border waiting at a reception centre.

UN rights boss Michelle Bachelet called on Bangladesh on Tuesday to halt the repatriation plan, warning that lives would be put at "serious risk".

The UN human rights office continued to receive reports of ongoing violations committed against Rohingya in Myanmar - including alleged killings, disappearances and arbitrary arrests, Bachelet said.

Myanmar does not consider the Rohingya a native ethnic group and most are stateless. Many in the Buddhist-majority country call the Rohingya "Bengalis", suggesting they belong in Bangladesh.

Hundreds of Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh protested on Thursday against any attempt to send them back to Myanmar after sources in Bangladesh said the launch of a repatriation plan had been postponed.

Hundreds of Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh protested on Thursday against any attempt to send them back to Myanmar after sources in Bangladesh said the launch of a repatriation plan had been postponed. Bangladesh had begun preparations to repatriate an initial batch of Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar on Thursday, in line with a plan agreed with Myanmar in October. But there have been extensive doubts about the plan and it has been opposed by the UN refugee agency and aid groups, who fear for the safety of the Rohingya in Myanmar, and by many Rohingya in camps in Bangladesh. "No, no, we won't go," hundreds of Rohingya protesters chanted in the Unchiprang camp in southeast Bangladesh, near the Myanmar border. Some protesters also waved placards that said "We want justice," and "We will never return to Myanmar without our citizenship". More than 700,000 Rohingya fled a sweeping army crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine state last year, according to UN agencies, launched in response to Rohingya insurgent attacks on the security forces. The Rohingya refugees say soldiers and Buddhist civilians massacred families, burned hundreds of villages and carried out gang rapes. UN-mandated investigators have accused the Myanmar army of "genocidal intent" and ethnic cleansing. Myanmar denies almost all of the accusations, saying its security forces have been engaged in a counter-insurgency operation against "terrorists". Earlier, three sources directly briefed on the issue, said repatriation would not begin on Thursday as none of those selected to go back had agreed to. "Nobody wants to go back," said one of the sources. The repatriation of a first group of 2,200 refugees was to begin on Thursday, and officials in Myanmar had said they were ready to receive the returnees. But Bangladesh has vowed not to force anyone to return and it has asked the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to make sure those short-listed to return really want to go back. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Bangladeshi officials were due to meet Myanmar counterparts at a border crossing to inform them that no one had agreed to return. The Bangladesh government declined to comment. Unverified images on social media showed officials on the Myanmar side of the border waiting at a reception centre. UN rights boss Michelle Bachelet called on Bangladesh on Tuesday to halt the repatriation plan, warning that lives would be put at "serious risk". The UN human rights office continued to receive reports of ongoing violations committed against Rohingya in Myanmar - including alleged killings, disappearances and arbitrary arrests, Bachelet said. Myanmar does not consider the Rohingya a native ethnic group and most are stateless. Many in the Buddhist-majority country call the Rohingya "Bengalis", suggesting they belong in Bangladesh.

Rohingya in Bangladesh protest efforts to send them back to Myanmar

Bangladesh is ready for the repatriation of Rohingyas, an official told news agency Associated Press on Wednesday. According to reports, more than 2,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees will be repatriated from where more than 700,000 have fled violence since last year.

Around 30 refugee families would be transferred on Thursday at the Gundrum border point near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh's repatriation commissioner Abul Kalam said, adding that the UN refugee agency is verifying the repatriation process.&nbsp;

A UN-brokered deal with Myanmar and Bangladesh identifies all repatriations as voluntary.

A Reuters report on Monday stated that around dozens of Rohingya Muslim families, on a list of refugees set to be repatriated to Myanmar later this week, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-flee-refugee-camps-in-bangladesh-as-myanmar-prepares-for-first-returnees-176882">fled from camps</a> in Bangladesh where they were living.&nbsp;

"Most of the people on the list have fled to avoid being repatriated," said Abdus Salam, a Rohingya leader at the Jamtoli camp told Reuters, adding most have fled to other neighbouring camps to avoid being detected and forced to return against their will.

Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed in late October to begin repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar to escape an army crackdown, even though the United Nations' refugee agency and aid groups say doubts persist about their safety and conditions in Myanmar should they return.

The repatriation of the first batch of 2,000 refugees is set to officially begin on November 15 and officials in Myanmar said on Sunday they were ready to begin receiving refugees this week.

Meanwhile, Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has come under the scanner and criticised by world leaders on the sidelines of a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this week in Singapore. Suu Kyi has been facing tremendous heat for her handling of the ethnic crisis that led to the Rohingya exodus.&nbsp;

In another blow to the Myanmar leader, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/amnesty-international-strips-myanmars-suu-kyi-of-conscience-award-176943">Amnesty International withdrew its most prestigious human rights</a> prize from Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday, accusing her of perpetuating human rights abuses by not speaking out about violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Bangladesh is ready for the repatriation of Rohingyas, an official told news agency Associated Press on Wednesday. According to reports, more than 2,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees will be repatriated from where more than 700,000 have fled violence since last year.

Bangladesh is ready for the repatriation of Rohingyas, an official told news agency Associated Press on Wednesday. According to reports, more than 2,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees will be repatriated from where more than 700,000 have fled violence since last year. Around 30 refugee families would be transferred on Thursday at the Gundrum border point near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh's repatriation commissioner Abul Kalam said, adding that the UN refugee agency is verifying the repatriation process. A UN-brokered deal with Myanmar and Bangladesh identifies all repatriations as voluntary. A Reuters report on Monday stated that around dozens of Rohingya Muslim families, on a list of refugees set to be repatriated to Myanmar later this week, fled from camps in Bangladesh where they were living. "Most of the people on the list have fled to avoid being repatriated," said Abdus Salam, a Rohingya leader at the Jamtoli camp told Reuters, adding most have fled to other neighbouring camps to avoid being detected and forced to return against their will. Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed in late October to begin repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar to escape an army crackdown, even though the United Nations' refugee agency and aid groups say doubts persist about their safety and conditions in Myanmar should they return. The repatriation of the first batch of 2,000 refugees is set to officially begin on November 15 and officials in Myanmar said on Sunday they were ready to begin receiving refugees this week. Meanwhile, Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has come under the scanner and criticised by world leaders on the sidelines of a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this week in Singapore. Suu Kyi has been facing tremendous heat for her handling of the ethnic crisis that led to the Rohingya exodus. In another blow to the Myanmar leader, Amnesty International withdrew its most prestigious human rights prize from Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday, accusing her of perpetuating human rights abuses by not speaking out about violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority. (With inputs from agencies)

Repatriation of first batch of 2,000 Rohingya refugees ready to begin: Bangladesh official

&nbsp;Rohingya leaders in a Bangladesh refugee camp have drawn up a list of demands they want Myanmar to meet before authorities begin sending back hundreds of thousands in a repatriation process expected to begin next week and last for two years.

The petition is the latest indication of the challenges ahead for Bangladesh and Myanmar as they try to engineer the return of refugees who fear continued military operations in Rakhine State and are dismayed about the prospect of a prolonged stay in &quot;temporary camps&quot; in Myanmar when they go back.

A half-dozen Rohingya elders, saying they represented 40 villages from Rakhine, showed the list of demands to a Reuters reporter at the Kutupalong refugee camp, where most of the 655,500 Rohingya refugees are staying.

The petition, handwritten in Burmese, said none of the Muslim Rohingya would return to mainly Buddhist Myanmar unless the demands were met.

The petition, which has still to be finalised, demanded the Myanmar government publicly announce it is giving Rohingya long-denied citizenship and inclusion on a list of the country&#39;s recognised ethnic groups. It asks that land once occupied by the refugees be returned to them and their homes, mosques and schools rebuilt.

It wants the military held accountable for alleged killings, looting and rape, and the release from jails of &quot;innocent Rohingya&quot; picked up in counter-insurgency operations.

It also wants Myanmar to stop listing people with their photographs as &quot;terrorists&quot; in state media and on government Facebook pages.

Myanmar state newspapers this week issued a supplement listing the names and photos of alleged members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), whose attacks on security posts on Aug. 25 triggered a sweeping counter-insurgency operation.

The United Nations has described the Myanmar military operations in the northern part of Rakhine as a classic case of ethnic cleansing.

The military says it has only conducted legitimate operations and denies there have been cases of sexual assault.

But the military said last week soldiers had killed 10 captured Muslim &ldquo;terrorists&rdquo; during insurgent attacks at the beginning of September after Buddhist villagers had forced the captured men into a grave the villagers had dug.

It was a rare acknowledgement of wrongdoing by the Myanmar military during its operations in the western state of Rakhine.

ARSA said in a statement last week the 10 Rohingya in the mass grave were &quot;innocent civilians&quot; and not members of their group.

Challenges ahead:&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Rohingya elders Reuters spoke to said they were still finalising their list of demands before showing it to Bangladesh authorities and to aid agencies administering the camps.

They said the 40 village leaders they discussed the petition with represent the interests of all Rohingya at the camp, but that could not be independently verified and aid agencies were unable to comment pending formal issuance of the petition.

Bangladesh and Myanmar this week agreed to complete the return of the refugees over the next two years, with the process due to begin on Tuesday.

But even as preparations get underway for the repatriation, Rohingya Muslims continue to pour into Bangladesh.

More than 100 Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh from Myanmar since Wednesday and scores more were waiting to cross the Naf river that forms the border, newly arrived refugees in Bangladesh told Reuters.

The new arrivals said they fled Myanmar because of military operations in their village of Sein Yin Pyin, and gave accounts of young men being rounded up and of discovering dead bodies in a pond and a forest.

They said they fled out of hunger, after hiding in their homes for days, unable to go to work in the fields and forests that provided their livelihood.

Myanmar Police Colonel Myo Thu Soe, spokesman for the military-controlled Home Affairs Ministry, told Reuters on Thursday &quot;there&#39;s no clearance operation going on in the villages&quot;.

But, he added, &quot;security forces are still trying to take control of the area&quot; in northern Rakhine. He declined to elaborate.

Rights groups and the UN say any repatriations must be voluntary.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human RightsWatch, told Reuters in an email authorities cannot deal with the Rohingya refugees &quot;as if they are an inert mass of people who will go where and when they are told&quot;.

The repatriation deal does not cover over 200,000 other Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh prior to October 2016, who had been driven out of Myanmar during previous episodes of ethnic violence and military operations.

The United Nations has described the Myanmar military operations in the northern part of Rakhine as a classic case of ethnic cleansing.

Rohingya leaders in a Bangladesh refugee camp have drawn up a list of demands they want Myanmar to meet before authorities begin sending back hundreds of thousands in a repatriation process expected to begin next week and last for two years. The petition is the latest indication of the challenges ahead for Bangladesh and Myanmar as they try to engineer the return of refugees who fear continued military operations in Rakhine State and are dismayed about the prospect of a prolonged stay in "temporary camps" in Myanmar when they go back. A half-dozen Rohingya elders, saying they represented 40 villages from Rakhine, showed the list of demands to a Reuters reporter at the Kutupalong refugee camp, where most of the 655,500 Rohingya refugees are staying. The petition, handwritten in Burmese, said none of the Muslim Rohingya would return to mainly Buddhist Myanmar unless the demands were met. The petition, which has still to be finalised, demanded the Myanmar government publicly announce it is giving Rohingya long-denied citizenship and inclusion on a list of the country's recognised ethnic groups. It asks that land once occupied by the refugees be returned to them and their homes, mosques and schools rebuilt. It wants the military held accountable for alleged killings, looting and rape, and the release from jails of "innocent Rohingya" picked up in counter-insurgency operations. It also wants Myanmar to stop listing people with their photographs as "terrorists" in state media and on government Facebook pages. Myanmar state newspapers this week issued a supplement listing the names and photos of alleged members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), whose attacks on security posts on Aug. 25 triggered a sweeping counter-insurgency operation. The United Nations has described the Myanmar military operations in the northern part of Rakhine as a classic case of ethnic cleansing. The military says it has only conducted legitimate operations and denies there have been cases of sexual assault. But the military said last week soldiers had killed 10 captured Muslim “terrorists” during insurgent attacks at the beginning of September after Buddhist villagers had forced the captured men into a grave the villagers had dug. It was a rare acknowledgement of wrongdoing by the Myanmar military during its operations in the western state of Rakhine. ARSA said in a statement last week the 10 Rohingya in the mass grave were "innocent civilians" and not members of their group. Challenges ahead: The Rohingya elders Reuters spoke to said they were still finalising their list of demands before showing it to Bangladesh authorities and to aid agencies administering the camps. They said the 40 village leaders they discussed the petition with represent the interests of all Rohingya at the camp, but that could not be independently verified and aid agencies were unable to comment pending formal issuance of the petition. Bangladesh and Myanmar this week agreed to complete the return of the refugees over the next two years, with the process due to begin on Tuesday. But even as preparations get underway for the repatriation, Rohingya Muslims continue to pour into Bangladesh. More than 100 Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh from Myanmar since Wednesday and scores more were waiting to cross the Naf river that forms the border, newly arrived refugees in Bangladesh told Reuters. The new arrivals said they fled Myanmar because of military operations in their village of Sein Yin Pyin, and gave accounts of young men being rounded up and of discovering dead bodies in a pond and a forest. They said they fled out of hunger, after hiding in their homes for days, unable to go to work in the fields and forests that provided their livelihood. Myanmar Police Colonel Myo Thu Soe, spokesman for the military-controlled Home Affairs Ministry, told Reuters on Thursday "there's no clearance operation going on in the villages". But, he added, "security forces are still trying to take control of the area" in northern Rakhine. He declined to elaborate. Rights groups and the UN say any repatriations must be voluntary. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human RightsWatch, told Reuters in an email authorities cannot deal with the Rohingya refugees "as if they are an inert mass of people who will go where and when they are told". The repatriation deal does not cover over 200,000 other Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh prior to October 2016, who had been driven out of Myanmar during previous episodes of ethnic violence and military operations.

Rohingya refugee leaders draw up demands ahead of repatriation

Bangladesh has counted more than a million Rohingya refugees living in camps near the border with Myanmar, higher than previous estimates, the head of its registration project said today as preparations for their return got under way.

The Bangladesh army began biometric registering of the refugees last year after the latest mass influx of Rohingya from Myanmar, where the Muslim minority have faced decades of persecution.

The registration is aimed partly at aiding repatriation of the refugees -- a controversial issue as most say they do not want to return.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/seven-rakhine-killed-as-myanmar-police-fire-on-rioters-29846" target="_blank">Seven ethnic Rakhine killed as Myanmar Police fire on rioters</a>

Bangladesh says it wants to start sending them home next week and has reached an initial agreement with Myanmar to complete the process within two years.

&quot;So far we&#39;ve registered 1,004,742 Rohingya. They are given biometric registration cards,&quot; said Saidur Rahman, a brigadier general with the Bangladesh army who heads the Rohingya registration project.

Several thousand more have yet to be registered, he said.

The figures are higher than those provided by the UN, which estimates there are 962,000 Rohingya living in southeast Bangladesh, near the Myanmar border.

That includes the 655,000 the UN estimates have entered the country since August 25, when the Myanmar military launched a violent crackdown in Rakhine state following attacks by Rohingya militants.

Doctors Without Borders has said at least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed in the first month of the crackdown.

Refugees in Bangladesh have alleged mass rape and widespread arson at the hands of soldiers and the Buddhist majority in Rakhine.

Some of the refugees have been living in Bangladesh for many years, but the repatriation agreement only covers those who have arrived since October 2016. 
The two sides said on Tuesday they have agreed to complete the repatriation within a two-year period, the first concrete timeline given for the refugees&#39; return.

Rights groups have expressed concerns about the pace of the process, particularly as Rohingya are still fleeing Rakhine.

&quot;With memories of rape, killing and torture still fresh in the minds of Rohingya refugees, plans for their return to Myanmar are alarmingly premature,&quot; James Gomez, Amnesty International&#39;s regional director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said yesterday.

&quot;The obfuscation and denials of the Myanmar authorities give no reason to hope that the rights of returning Rohingya would be protected, or that the reasons for their original flight no longer exist.&quot;

The Bangladesh army began biometric registering of the refugees last year

Bangladesh has counted more than a million Rohingya refugees living in camps near the border with Myanmar, higher than previous estimates, the head of its registration project said today as preparations for their return got under way. The Bangladesh army began biometric registering of the refugees last year after the latest mass influx of Rohingya from Myanmar, where the Muslim minority have faced decades of persecution. The registration is aimed partly at aiding repatriation of the refugees -- a controversial issue as most say they do not want to return. Also read: Seven ethnic Rakhine killed as Myanmar Police fire on rioters Bangladesh says it wants to start sending them home next week and has reached an initial agreement with Myanmar to complete the process within two years. "So far we've registered 1,004,742 Rohingya. They are given biometric registration cards," said Saidur Rahman, a brigadier general with the Bangladesh army who heads the Rohingya registration project. Several thousand more have yet to be registered, he said. The figures are higher than those provided by the UN, which estimates there are 962,000 Rohingya living in southeast Bangladesh, near the Myanmar border. That includes the 655,000 the UN estimates have entered the country since August 25, when the Myanmar military launched a violent crackdown in Rakhine state following attacks by Rohingya militants. Doctors Without Borders has said at least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed in the first month of the crackdown. Refugees in Bangladesh have alleged mass rape and widespread arson at the hands of soldiers and the Buddhist majority in Rakhine. Some of the refugees have been living in Bangladesh for many years, but the repatriation agreement only covers those who have arrived since October 2016. The two sides said on Tuesday they have agreed to complete the repatriation within a two-year period, the first concrete timeline given for the refugees' return. Rights groups have expressed concerns about the pace of the process, particularly as Rohingya are still fleeing Rakhine. "With memories of rape, killing and torture still fresh in the minds of Rohingya refugees, plans for their return to Myanmar are alarmingly premature," James Gomez, Amnesty International's regional director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said yesterday. "The obfuscation and denials of the Myanmar authorities give no reason to hope that the rights of returning Rohingya would be protected, or that the reasons for their original flight no longer exist."

Bangladesh says it is hosting over 1 million Rohingya

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