The Latest: Bangladesh says Rohingya repatriation postponed

By Abbey Westbury
January 21 2018 11:27 PM

CP461763124 — In this Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, photo, Rohingya refugees with their belongings arrive at the Balukhali refugee camp 50 kilometers (31 miles) from, Cox\'s Bazar, Bangladesh. With the first repatriations of Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar just days away, and more than 1 million living in refugee camps in Bangladesh, international aid workers, local officials and the refugees say preparations have barely begun and most refugees would rather contend with the squalor of the camps than the dangers they could face if they return home. It\'s unclear if more than a handful of Rohingya will even be willing to go home. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

DHAKA, Bangladesh – The Latest on the preparations for repatriating Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar (all times local):

noon

A Bangladesh official says the repatriation of Rohingya Muslim refugees back to Myanmar, which was scheduled to begin Tuesday, has been postponed.

Abul Kalam, commissioner of the Refugees, Relief and Repatriation Commission in the coastal area of Cox’s Bazar, gave no details beyond saying that officials “are working on this.”

More than 650,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar into Bangladesh beginning in August, escaping attacks by security forces and Buddhist mobs. An agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar said their return home was to begin Tuesday. However, many Rohingya have expressed worries with the agreement, saying they do not feel safe returning home and would prefer to stay in Bangladesh refugee camps.

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