More Rohingyas fleeing by boats

By KPN
November 21, 2013

More people have been fleeing from Arakan state after the human rights situation affecting the Rohingya minority has worsened. At least two boats a week are leaving from southern Maungdaw to Malaysia or Thailand, confirmed an anonymous source from the area. The passengers are taking advantage of calmer waters during the winter season to make their escape.

“Many Rohingya boat people including women and children are missing on the way to Malaysia due to rough sea and storm and some of the boats sank in the Bay of Bengal while on the way to their destination,” the source said.

Anonymous sources fingered Faisal, a Kunia Para village administration officer, who stands accused of profiting off the mass exodus. The officer is allegedly collecting 50,000 Kyat (US$51) for each passenger. The money is split with the Kunia Para police commander and boat owners.

After the Burmese government severely restricted freedom of movement for the state’s Rohingyas following the last year’s June and October violence, many found it very difficult to find work.

It’s a question of survival, said a Maungdaw town schoolteacher that didn’t want their name used. The government should lift the travel restrictions and take action against both the human traffickers and local authorities involved.

With no end in sight many are left with no options but making the perilous sea journey.

Upset locals told the Kaladan Press Network that allowing them to easily flee to Malaysia is part of the government’s plan to depopulate the area of Rohingyas.

An anonymous police agent confirmed that they are not stopping villagers leaving the country.

If this keeps up there won’t be any men left in the area except for elders.

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