The Stateless Rohingya Blog

President U Thein Sein meets former British PM, Speaker of House of Common (photo President Website) By Maung Zarni  Asia Times  July 19, 2013 LONDON - Britain, the largest donor country and former colonizer of Myanmar, is effectively aiding and abetting the unfolding "ethnic cleansing" of Muslim Rohingya by helping to finance the country's controversial 2014 national census.  Ex-general and head of Myanmar's quasi-civilian government Thein Sein made an official visit to Britain this week, during which his hosts announced a new 30 million-pound (US$45.6 million) development assistance package and resumption of arms sales. One third of that amount is earmarked to bankroll the former colony's census, "which is essential to make sure support is getting to those who need it more", according to an official British government statement. Because Thein Sein's government is forcing the Rohingya people to register as "Bengali"

A Rohingya Muslim illegal immigrant puts his hand on the railing inside the Immigration Detention Centre during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kanchanaburi province July 10, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha By Amy Sawitta Lefevre July 19, 2013 BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's navy denied on Friday a Reuters report that its personnel were involved in a lucrative smuggling and trafficking network that exploits minority Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution and dire living conditions in Myanmar. The Reuters investigation, citing people smugglers and Rohingyas who made the journey, found that Thai naval security forces were involved in the smuggling of Rohingya Muslims. They have fled Myanmar in sharply growing numbers over the last year following outbreaks of religious violence at home. The smuggling network, centered on the west coast of southern Thailand, transports thousands of Rohingya mainly into neighboring Malaysia, a Muslim-majority c

On a recent visit to London Myanmar's leader Thein Sein announced he would release all prisoners of conscience.© 2013 Getty Images Amnesty International : July 17, 2013 Amnesty International has called into question President Thein Sein’s recent commitment to clear Myanmar’s jails of prisoners of conscience by the end of the year.  On the same day he made this promise to delegates at a conference in London, police in Myanmar’s Rakhine state arbitrarily detained a 74-year-old Rohingya human rights defender.  “The government continues to rely on repressive laws to silence dissent and jail peaceful protesters in Myanmar,” said Amy Smith, Amnesty International’s Myanmar researcher.  “For there to be lasting change in the country, these practices need to be stopped and the laws need to be brought in line with international standards.”  During a speech at the independent policy institute Chatham House in London on 15 July 2013, President Thein Sein said, “I guar