Bangladesh challenges Myanmar claim that only 540,000 Rohingya fled in 2017

Bangladesh is set to challenge Myanmar over sharply conflicting figures on how many Rohingya refugees fled Rakhine State and are now living in Bangladesh.

Myanmar said about 540,000 people crossed into Bangladesh after violence erupted in 2017, rejecting claims that more than 1 million Rohingya were displaced.

United Council of Rohingya (UCR) disputed that figure, saying more than 700,000 Rohingya fled within weeks in 2017, joining more than 200,000 who had escaped earlier persecution.

Myanmar also said Bangladesh submitted 828,824 names for verification. Of 426,545 names processed by July 31, Myanmar said 308,797 showed evidence of previous residence in Rakhine.

Bangladesh considers Myanmar’s statement factually incorrect. Myanmar’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Kyaw Soe Moe, is expected to meet a director general at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.