Suu Kyi offers help on Rohingya issue

Sujit: Kolkata, Dec 26 (bdnews24.com) - Myanmar's democracy icon Aung Sang Suu Kyi has told a British minister that she is willing to facilitate the process of reconciliation between Buddhist Rakhines and Muslim Rohingyas in the troubled Rakhine state (former Arakans), the 'Guardian' reports.

The Guardian quotes Hugo Swire, a minister of state in the British Foreign office as saying that Suu Kyi, if invited by the Myanmar government, is willing to help.This after Swire met Suu Kyi briefly during his recent visit to Myanmar.

"Suu Kyi has been very clear about this-she is extremely busy. She can't do everything in this country," Swire told the 'Guardian'. "If she is formally invited to get involved, she has indicated to me that she would be very willing to do that."

Swire, who traveled to Myanmar leading a trade delegation, also visited several displaced persons camps in the Rakhine state, accompanied by the British ambassador Andrew Heyn. The 'Guardian' journalist Kate Hodal also joined them.

The 'Guardian' quotes Swire as saying that the 'conditions in the Rakhine state remains extremely worrying' and that unless urgent action is taken, 'the tragedy will continue to deepen for all concerned'.

The 'Guardian' says that until now, 'Aung Sang Suu Kyi' who is considered internationally as Burma's most unifying politicial figure and who has previously stressed the significance of ethnic rights - has been largely absent from debates on this issue (Rohingyas) and it is unclear why she has not played a greater role.

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

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