US embassy cable - 04BRUSSELS4013

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 004013 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF, PREL, BG, BM, EUN, USEU BRUSSELS 
SUBJECT: EUROPEAN COMMISSION CONCERNED ABOUT ROHINGYA 
REFUGEES 
 
1. (SBU)  Summary.  The European Commission (EC) is concerned 
about the plight of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, 
including the lack of adequate educational opportunities for 
refugee children.  Those living outside official refugee 
camps without official status are at greater risk.  The EC 
would provide significant funding if the GoB agreed to allow 
the local integratation of the Rohingyas.  End Summary. 
 
2.  (SBU) On 9/10, PRM Assistant met with EC officers -- DG 
RELEX Administrator for Southeast Asia and Uprooted Peoples 
Thomas Gnocchi and DG RELEX Bangladesh desk officer Ana 
Beatriz Martins -- to discuss the Rohingya refugees.  Martins 
spoke at length about the living conditions in both the 
official camps and the "unofficial" Teknaf camp.  According 
to Martins, conditions in the official camps are relatively 
good.  However, he noted that the exceedingly low levels of 
education in the camps have become a focus of concern. 
Gnocchi said that the Bangladeshi government requires lessons 
to be taught in Burmese so as to keep the ties alive and 
encourage future return.  Since there are few teachers who 
speak the required language, many refugee children are not 
receiving satisfactory schooling and their future is in 
jeopardy. 
 
3.  (SBU) The "unofficial" camp in Teknaf, on the other hand, 
is facing more immediate difficulties and hardships. "The 
living conditions in Teknaf," stated Martins, "are abysmal." 
Unfortunately, the peculiarities surrounding their situation 
merely serve to complicate their eligibility for aid.  Many 
of its residents have unknowingly lost their status as 
refugees, often as a result of failed attempts to repatriate 
to Rakhine State.  Martins added that as a result the 
Bangladeshi government recognizes them not as refugees, or 
even as former refugees, but as illegal immigrants. 
 
4.  (SBU) With the help of the UNHCR, the EC is pushing for 
the implementation of a self-sufficiency program that aims to 
increase accessibility to educational and vocational 
training.  Thus far, the Bangladeshi government has neither 
endorsed nor denounced this program.  This is significant 
considering the continued hard-line approach by the 
government to the plight of these refugees.  Gnocchi noted 
that the Rohingyas, numbering 19,500 persons, comprise a 
small fraction of the overall migration problem.  He added 
that Bangladesh has the capacity to absorb this rather small 
group, but refuses to for fear of igniting a mass movement of 
refugees.  Martins acknowledged the legitimacy of such fears, 
but stated that they could be avoided if a low profile was 
maintained. Gnocchi added that the EC is willing to offer 
significant development projects in the region if local 
integration were accepted as an option by Bangladesh. 
 
5. (SBU) In response to the current stagnation surrounding 
the plight of these refugees, the EC is in the process of 
redefining its vision for Bangladesh, according to Martins. 
They plan to pursue deeper discussion on the issue with 
Member States under the Dutch Presidency.  Martins added that 
the current turmoil plaguing the region both heightens this 
need and frustrates any possibility of resolving the issue. 
Martins and Gnocchi inquired about future coordination with 
the U.S. on this issue. 
 
SCHNABEL