Abstract

• The UNHCR is mandated to provide international protection and humanitarian assistance for refugees and to seek durable solutions for refugee problem by assisting governments, in cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) with the aim to facilitate voluntary repatriation of refugees. In case of refugee repatriation, an approach has to be implemented in close cooperation among countries of origin, host countries, UNHCR and its humanitarian and development partners as well as refugees. Before signing the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) between the government of Myanmar and UNHCR, and between the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh in 1993, the UNHCR took part in refugee repatriation in the Rakhine State. The objective of this research is to identify issues and constraints in refugee repatriation between Myanmar and UNHCR operating in the Rakhaine State. It also analyzes how far the UNHCR carried out its task in managing repatriation and rehabilitation through international community whose major emphasis is the basic humanitarian assistance to refugees while the government of Myanmar and its state government are facing with barriers in scrutinizing the documented immigration records of refugee repatriation and resettlement. The research question that attempted to answer in this paper is whether or not UNHCR and its genuine mandate is based on independence, impartiality and equality in carrying out its humanitarian actions in the Rakhine State in Myanmar.