The United Nations on Wednesday called on Burma to give aid agencies unhindered access to camps it has built for tens of thousands of Muslim Rohingya refugees before they can return after fleeing Burmese military operations last year.

The UN refugee agency and other groups have urged a rethink of the plan to send Rohingya refugees back to Burma amid fears of forced repatriations and the inability of aid agencies to ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands who fled bloodshed at home.

Officials from Burma and Bangladesh meet on Monday to discuss how to implement a deal signed in November on the repatriation of more than 650,000 Rohingya who have fled Burma since late August. But many say fear returning.

Rohingya Muslim insurgents say they have no option but to fight what they call Burma state-sponsored terrorism to defend the Rohingya community, and they demand that the Rohingya be consulted on all decisions affecting their future.

In his Independence Day speech, Htin Kyaw called for reform of a military-drafted constitution and for justice for all recognised minorities under a federal system, but made no mention of the Rohingya.

Pope Francis described migrants and refugees as the world’s “weakest and most needy” on Monday, using his traditional New Year’s address to “give voice” to people he has urged leaders to do more to help.