The Stateless Rohingya Blog

Members of a Muslim family react to the loss of a relative who died in the recent spate of violence in Thapyu Kyain village, outside of Thandwe. (Photo: Reuters / Soe Zeya Tun) By Fayas  KPN News  October 10, 2013 In the background of recent violence (0n October 1, 2) in Sandoway Town, Arakan (Rakhine) State, the continuous persecution of Kamans has made news again. Unfortunately, it is becoming all-to-familiar a tale. This time, majority Buddhist community showed their wrath over a news item that a Muslim shopkeeper had verbally abused a Buddhist taxi driver as he was trying to park outside his shop. People point out, how deeply rooted communal tensions are and the increasing likelihood small brawls turning into bloody riots. In recent violence in Sandoway Township, even as the President Thein  Sein came to western Burma’ to urge and end to sectarian violence, security forces---police and military--- could not prevent  Buddhist mobs from torching the homes of Kaman

A.F.M. Khairul Basher  The Daily Star October 9, 2013 IN the backdrop of recent violence in Rakhine province, the incessant persecution of Rohingyas has made news again. Unfortunately, it is becoming all-to-familiar a tale. This time, majority Buddhist community showed their rage over a news item that a Muslim shopkeeper had verbally abused a Buddhist taxi driver as he was trying to park outside his shop. This, political analysts say, indicates how deeply-rooted communal tensions are and the increasing likelihood of small scuffles turning into bloody riots. Bangladesh, having sea and land border with Myanmar, needs to draw due attention of the international community to this issue through diplomatic channels. The Bangladesh government must have means to identify Rohingyas for security reasons, and deal with the issue considering national interest and the human rights charter. On the diplomatic front, the UN and OIC along with leading countries like China and USA ha