The Stateless Rohingya Blog

Press release A coalition of 58 civil society groups - led by Refugees International, the Arakan Project, and the Equal Rights Trust - condemns the wave of abuse launched by state authorities in Myanmar against the Rohingya community, following a disturbing period of inter-communal violence. It also charges Bangladesh with flouting international law in its attempts to prevent fleeing Rohingya from reaching safety. The coalition has issued a series of recommendations for both Myanmar and Bangladesh, which were delivered today to the two governments and their embassies in 28 countries. The coalition's full statement is as follows:

Kimberly Curtis Ed note. I am pleased to welcome Kimberly Curtis to UN Dispatch. Kimberly is a lawyer and freelance writer based in Washington, DC. Her primary focus on human rights, transitional justice and international affairs. — Mark  Since the historic democratic parliamentary elections in April, Myanmar has seen the world’s opinion of them shift for the first time in decades. No longer an international pariah, the moderate reforms enacted since 2010 have been enough to see sanctions eased, diplomatic ties reestablished and Western businesses reentering the country.

Refugee rights activists say Bangladesh is acting against international humanitarian law in turning back Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. However, Dhaka says it is doing nothing wrong and must put its own people first. Ignoring appeals from international community, Bangladesh is sticking to its stand not to allow any Rohingya refugee inside its territory as every week boatloads of Rohingyas are seeking to flee Myanmar.

New Delhi: Some Muslim and Buddhist organizations on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention to stop killings of Muslims in Myanmar. The central government was also urged to protect the rights of Burmese refugees who are living in pathetic conditions in New Delhi.

Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San  Suu Kyi in Rangoon, Burma,   April   2, 2012. A U.S.-based advocacy group has invited Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to New York to accept an award for global citizenship.  The Atlantic Council says it will honor Aung San Suu Kyi on September 21 with its Global Citizen Award. The group cited her "unwavering devotion to democracy and human rights," calling her "an international symbol of freedom and human dignity." Aung San Suu Kyi, who did not confirm she will attend the event, has not visited the U.S. since she worked at the United Nations in the 1980s, prior to her involvement in Burmese politics.