Where do we go from here?

Abstract

Over 100,000 refugees from Myanmar remain in nine camps on the Thailand-­‐Myanmar border, and yet despite the escalation of armed conflict, militarization, and investment-­‐driven tensions on the ground in ethnic areas, the narrative of repatriation is becoming more prominent. Reduced rations and access to basic services in refugee camps, in addition to widespread armed conflict inside the country – including in Karen State just a few kilometres away from some of the refugee camps – are fuelling anxiety and worry in refugee communities about return to their homeland. A high-­‐profile pilot program, which organized the return of 71 refugees in November 2016, backed by the Myanmar and Thailand Governments as well as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is furthering this narrative of return. Yet the relatively small numbers of returnees overall reflects the concerns that refugees have over repatriation, including security, livelihood, land, health, and education. The lack of clear and accessible information being provided on their rights as refugees, and the lack of consultation in the repatriation planning and preparation process is further fuelling anxiety among refugee communities.