The Stateless Rohingya Blog

PressTV:  March 26, 2013   A political analyst tells Press TV that we must raise our voice to the UN, to the US, to every free conscious around the world to stop this madness and this genocide against the Muslim people in Myanmar. The comments came after extremist Buddhists attacked dozens of houses and mosques in the central town of Meiktila. At least 40 people were killed and 12,000 people were displaced during three days of violence in the town. Hundreds of Rohingyas are believed to have been killed and thousands of others displaced in attacks by Buddhist extremists. Press TV has conducted an interview with Kamel Wazne, political analyst, to further discuss the issue. What follows is an approximate transcription of the interview. Press TV: We are having this situation still ongoing even though this has been months that one of the most persecuted communities mainly the Rohingyas have been targeted inside Myanmar. Why isn’t the government reacting more a

A heavily intoxicated and drug-affected youth clenches a broken brick on Sunday as he surveys the smoldering remains of one of Meikhtila’s Muslim neighborhoods, which was razed by rioters last week. (Photo: Steve Tickner / The Irrawaddy) Irrawaddy News: March 26, 2013 RANGOON — Fear gripped Rangoon’s Muslim communities on Sunday night after reports and rumors began to emerge that groups of rioters were planning to attack their neighborhoods. Muslim residents reacted by closing shops and holding nighttime patrols, but eventually there were few incidents in Burma’s biggest city. Over the weekend the violence directed at Islamic communities spread southward through Mandalay Division from Meikhtila Township, where 8,000 Muslims were displaced and dozens people were killed after violence erupted last Wednesday. Some Islamic leaders and Burmese activists now allege that the rapidly spreading communal violence—which appears to pit Buddhists against Muslims—is in fact being

Rohingya boatpeople wait behind bars at a Phuket police station on Feb. 1. (Photo: phuketwan.com) The Sun Daily: March 26, 2013  GEORGE TOWN (March 26, 2013): A total of 117 Rohingya refugees, including 24 children, were detained near Muka Head in Teluk Bahang by maritime enforcement officers on Sunday. They were picked up after the Penang Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted an unlicensed boat seven nautical miles west of Muka Head. The enforcement unit found 117 people, including 21 women and 24 children aged 12 years and below, in the boat which was sent to the Limbungan Batu Maung jetty, the MMEA said in a statement today. Earlier this month, 126 Rohingyas were rescued from their leaking boat by local fishermen about 2.5 nautical miles from Muka Head. In mid February, 140 Rohingya refugees were found wandering around Teluk Bahang National Park after illegally entering through Teluk Kampi beach. Meanwhile, in Sydney, Australian

Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas UN News Centre  March 26, 2013 25 March 2013 – The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide today voiced deep concern at reports of increased violence between Muslim and Buddhist communities in Myanmar, and called on leaders to promote respect for diversity and peaceful coexistence. Last week President Thein Sein reportedly declared a state of emergency and imposed martial law in four central townships after several days of unrest between Buddhists and Muslims, including in Meiktila where at least 30 people were killed. “The recent episode of violence in Meiktila in central Myanmar raises concerns that sectarian violence is spreading to other parts of the country,” stated Special Adviser Adama Dieng. “In the context of last year’s violence between Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state, there is a considerable risk of further violence if measures are not p

By Mohamed Farooq Mayu Press:   March 25, 2013 A team of Buddhist extremists destroyed a Mosque, Muslim houses and shops in Oaak Tha Kone Town of Pago Division at mid-night on 24 March 2013. One day back, the racist had broken all the windows of Mosque with stones. They had also destroyed teashops, departmental shops, five houses and one Bakery, all were belong to Muslims. The Polices were unable to handle the brutal assaults but the situation was calm down by the Military personnel. In Yay Kyaw village, the Buddhist racists vandalized an Islamic religious school (Madarasa). The Buddhist terrorists attempted to burn down Mine Tauk village Mosque in Innlay lake region in Shan State. On the early morning of 24 March 2013, security forces alerted Muslims and Buddhists villagers not to interest any kind of religious unrest. In the mean time, the Buddhist terrorists torched up the ancient Mosque to the roof. It was the first   Mosque in Shan State built by Turkish Muslims 26

Burma campaign UK March 26, 2013 The European Union is currently reviewing its policy on sanctions on Burma. On 22nd April the EU Foreign Affairs Council will decide whether to continuethe suspension of EU sanctions, or to lift sanctions. We are concerned that the premature lifting of European Union sanctions will undermine the reform process in Burma, and could even encourage further serious human rights abuses. There is no doubt that there have been dramatic changes in Burma in the past two years, and that there is opportunity for further change which must be encouraged. However, we believe that European Union members have a tendency to highlight the positives while ignoring some important and harsh realities on the ground. Burma’s generals did not suddenly wake up one morning and decide they wanted Burma to be a democracy. International pressure has clearly played a motivating role in the reforms currently taking place. Therefore, to relax too much pressure too s

(M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq  Greater Kashmir: March 25, 2013   Appeals OIC, UN, AI, ICRC To Intervene Srinagar, Mar 25:The Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Monday expressed serious concern over the “systematic ethnic cleansing” of Muslims in Burma by the majority Buddhist community.  “A humanitarian crisis has erupted in Burma and its ripple effects could be felt in all Muslim nations. The Buddhist rioters are burning mosques, houses and schools of the Muslim minority community. The Burmese government’s inaction to stop the Buddhist onslaught on minority Rohignya Muslims is tantamount to a heinous crime,” said Mirwaiz said in a statement today, demanding immediate end to violence against Muslims in Burma.      “If arson and slaughtering of Muslims and looting of their property continues in Burma, the situation is expected to take a serious turn,” Mirwaiz said, regretting the silence maintained by the OIC and international community over