Canada is raising concerns over reports that Rohingya refugees will soon return to Myanmar.
Such a move would see the refugees returned to the country in which they have been targets of what has been officially declared a genocide.
READ MORE: Rohingya at ‘serious risk’ if forced to return to Myanmar, UN warns
Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau say they are “deeply concerned” about a proposed repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar this month.
United Nations officials and international organizations have said such a return is unsafe due to ongoing violence and conditions that continue to force refugees to flee the country.
WATCH BELOW: House of Commons votes unanimously to label Myanmar Rohingya killings a genocide
Freeland and Bibeau say repatriation must not be rushed and they’re urging Myanmar’s government to ensure refugees that do return are protected and their human rights are upheld.
READ MORE: Canada offered to take in Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh, but the country didn’t accept
Canada is also calling on Myanmar to grant full access to UN and international observers to monitor any repatriation efforts.
More than 900,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar into neighbouring Bangladesh since August 2017.
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