Foreign Minister to lead OIC delegation on Rohingya update trip in Thailand’s South

Pattaya Mail

February 1, 2013

BANGKOK, 31 January 2013 The Foreign Minister is set to lead a special delegation from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to Thailand’s South for first-hand information on how the country has been handling the Rohingya migrants.

The Lower House Committee on laws, justice and human rights, on Wednesday, discussed the issue of illegal Rohingya migrants with representatives from the Foreign Ministry, the Royal Thai Police Bureau, the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and the National Security Council.

The committee was updated on how the Thai authorities have been assisting the migrants, if there is any plan to push them to a third country and whether such a country has been contacted.

The Foreign Ministry representative has assured that essential assistance has been extended to them, in accordance with the principles of humanitarianism while reporting that initial talks with the detained Rohingyas found that most do not want to return to Myanmar but travel to a third country.

At the same time, the Ministry informed the meeting about the Myanmar government’s readiness for the repatriation of the Rohingyas when the situation in the country is calmer. It added that no third country has been contacted just yet.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul added that the government plans to allow some 1,300 Rohingya migrants, currently under state detention, to remain in Thailand for no longer than 6 months.

The Foreign Minister also informed the Lower House Committee that he will lead a delegation of OIC and diplomats to visit those Rohingya migrants detained in the South.

He will also bring them to the southern border region to receive an update and ask for their suggestions on Thailand’s efforts to quell the years-long insurgent unrest.

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