Myanmar and Bangladesh have signed a deal to allow hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees to return home.

Myanmar's ministry of labour, immigration and population said: "We are ready to take them back as soon as possible after Bangladesh sends the forms back to us."

Before returning to Myanmar, also known as Burma, the refugees must write down their personal details on forms that will be given to the authorities.

Image: Around 618,000 Muslim Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh Image: The exodus came amid a military crackdown Image: Many ended up in refugee camps in Bangladesh Image: Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has faced international criticism for the violence Image: The persecution of the stateless minority has not yet officially been classed as a genocide Image: Many in Buddhist majority Myanmar are opposed to the Rohingyas' presence, believing them to be illegal migrants in their country Image: Myanmar now says it is 'ready to take them back as soon as possible' Image: A Rohingya refugee cooks in a restaurant at the Thankhali refugee camp Image: Rohingya refugee children collect firewood at Balukhali refugee camp /

:: The Rohingya Crisis - All you need to know

More than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims were forced to flee their homes in mainly Buddhist Myanmar amid a military crackdown.


The UN described the mass exodus as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing", and there were reports of widespread murder, brutal violence and systematic rape.

Starvation and death on the beaches

Myanmar insisted the crackdown was aimed at rooting out Rohingya "terrorists" behind an attack on 30 police posts in late August in Rakhine State which left 12 members of the security forces dead.

The persecution of the stateless minority has not yet officially been classed as a genocide or crime against humanity.

Earlier this month, Sky News footage showing emaciated women and newborn babies who had been dumped on beaches and left to die prompted discussion over Myanmar's treatment of the Muslim minority.

Rohingya sex trafficker: 'Five pounds for each girl'

Leading charities warned of exploitation, trafficking and prostitution taking place against vulnerable Rohingya women and children in Bangladeshi camps.

Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has faced international criticism for failing to directly condemn the violence by the country's security forces.

US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said on Wednesday that those responsible for the atrocities "must be held accountable".

Image: Myanmar has signed a Rohingya return deal with neighbouring Bangladesh

His comment came a week after he travelled to Myanmar to meet with Ms Suu Kyi and powerful military chief Min Aung Hlaing.

After the meeting the senior general said: "The situation must be acceptable for both local Rakhine ethnic people and Bengalis, and emphasis must be placed on [the wishes] of local Rakhine ethnic people who are real Myanmar citizens."

His use of the word Bengali - which implies the Rohingya are from Bangladesh rather than Myanmar - has caused concern among humanitarian workers.

Why Rohingya crisis is not called genocide

The Rohingya - many of whom have lived in Myanmar for generations - were stripped of their citizenship in 1982 when they were excluded from a list of Myanmar's recognised ethnic groups.

Many in Buddhist majority Myanmar are opposed to the Rohingyas' presence, believing them to be illegal migrants in their country.