US urges Dhaka to allow refugees

In this June 13 file photo, BGB members on high alert at Shah Parir Dwip to prevent intrusion of Myanmar citizens.

The United States has expressed concern over pushing back the Rohingyas seeking refuge after fleeing the ethnic and religious violence in Myanmar and urgedBangladesh to allow the refugees.

“We are concerned that Bangladeshi authorities appear to have intercepted and turned back persons fleeing the ethnic and religious violence in Burma,” said U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Victoria Nuland.

Replying to a question at a daily press briefing in Washington, DC on June 13, the spokesperson said, “So we have been urging the Government of Bangladesh to respect its international obligations under the relevant refugee conventions and tocontinue its longstanding policy of non-refoulement of refugees.

“We are continuing to make the point to all sides in Burma that it is important to settle these issues not through violence but through dialogue, and to put down their arms and start talking to each other.”

Asked whether this issue has come up now upstairs with the Indian foreign minister as far as situation in Myanmar is concerned, the spokesperson said they did talk about Myanmar and they did talk about the ethnic issues and the Rohingya issues when U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton had her brief meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna before starting the broader Security Dialogue.

Source

Comments

Amnesty International's T. Kumar to Speak at the Islamic Society of North America's Convention

Amnesty International's T. Kumar to Speak at the Islamic Society of North America's Convention Advocacy Director T. Kumar to Speak on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar (Burma) Contact: Carolyn Lang, clang@aiusa.org, 202-675-8759 /EINPresswire.com/ (Washington, D.C.) -- Amnesty International Advocacy Director T. Kumar will address the Islamic Society of North America's 49th Annual Convention "One Nation Under God: Striving for the Common Good," in regards to the minority community of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar (Burma) on Saturday, September 1, at 11:30 am at the Washington DC Convention Center.

American Buddhists Promote 969 Movement With Website

Irrawaddy News: July 9, 2013 A group of American Buddhists has launched an English-language website promoting the 969 movement, in response to negative media surrounding the ultra-nationalist Buddhist campaign in Burma. The website aims to dispel “myths” about the movement, with a letter from nationalist monk Wirathu to a Time magazine reporter whose article about 969 was banned in Burma. “We’re not officially endorsed by Ven Wirathu at this time but will send a delegation to his monastery soon,” a spokesperson for the site said via email, adding that the group would create a nonprofit to coordinate “969 activities worldwide in response to religious oppression.”

Rohingya Activist Nominated for Human Rights Award

PHR congratulates Zaw Min Htut, a Burmese Rohingya activist, on his nomination for the 2011 US State Department Human Rights Defenders Award . Zaw Min Htut has been working for Rohingyas’ rights through the Burmese Rohingya Association of Japan since he fled Burma in 1998. Prior to that he was a student activist in Burma, and was detained for his participation in protests in 1996. In Japan, Zaw Min Htut has organized protests at the Burmese embassy and has written books on the history of Rohingya.

The Stateless Rohingya Blog

Search This Blog