Repatriation deal bad for refugees: HRW

Human Rights Watch has disapproved of the Rohingya repatriation deal inked between Bangladesh and Myanmar, and said it will "be bad" for the refugees.

In a report published today, the global rights watchdog has called for redrafting the agreement under the involvement and supervision of the United States.

"Burma has yet to end its military abuses against the Rohingyas, let alone create conditions that would allow them to return home safely," said Bill Frelick, refugee rights director at Human Rights Watch.

READ MORE: Rohingya repatriation, a pipe dream?

"This agreement looks more like a public relations effort by Burma to quickly close this ugly chapter than a serious effort to restore the rights of Rohingya and allow them to voluntarily return in safety and dignity," he said.

"After the widespread atrocities, safe and voluntary return of Rohingya will require international monitors on the ground in Burma," Frelick said. "This means a central role for the UNHCR, the only UN agency with a statutory mandate to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of refugees."

Given the critical flaws in the agreement, Burma and Bangladesh should invite UNHCR to join in the drafting of a new tripartite agreement, Human Rights Watch said.