The Stateless Rohingya Blog

AP Photo/Khin Maung Win Al Jazeera October 03, 2013 We ask if the government can protect its Muslim population from persecution. There is renewed violence in western Myanmar, where Buddhist rioters stand accused of attacking Muslims in Rakhine state. The recent violence left at least four men and a 94-year-old woman dead, according to a police official. This time there is a new target in the violence - the Kamans - another Muslim minority group. They too are victims of widespread ethnic tensions with the country's Buddhists. Since June last year at least 240 people have been killed in the fighting between Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims, and around 140,000 people have been displaced from their homes. Rohingya Muslims have been described by the United Nations as 'virtually friendless'. And attacks against Muslims are now overshadowing the widely praised political reforms that led to the end of the military rule in 2011. Myanmar's gover

By   U.S. Embassy Rangoon October 2, 2013 Yangon  – The United States is deeply concerned about recent reports of violence against Muslim-majority communities around Thandwe, Rakhine State. We are saddened to hear reports that at least one person was killed, several injured, and hundreds of civilians displaced in violence that included arson attacks destroying dozens of homes and several mosques. The United States strongly condemns such acts of violence. The U.S. Embassy continues to monitor the situation in Rakhine State closely. We strongly urge the authorities to respond quickly and decisively to the violence to help protect all the region’s residents and their property. We further urge the authorities to thoroughly investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the violence, and provide all necessary protection and assistance to the victims and other vulnerable populations. The Union government and local authorities must also do more to ensure progress in se