The Stateless Rohingya Blog

A WFP warehouse in Sittwe was attacked by Buddhist mobs on Thursday. (Photo: Facebook/Myanmar Police Force) By AFP March 29, 2014 Sittwe : Myanmar said Saturday that Muslims would not be allowed to register as "Rohingya" in its first census in three decades despite UN assurances, on the eve of a survey that has fanned sectarian tensions. The move came as Buddhists in an unrest-hit western state vowed to boycott the census over fears it could lead to official recognition for the Rohingya, viewed by the United Nations as among the world's most persecuted minorities. "If a household wants to identify themselves as 'Rohingya', we will not register it," government spokesman Ye Htut told reporters in Yangon. He said people could call themselves "Bengali", a term used by the authorities who view most Rohingya as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh. Foreign aid workers fled the restive western state of Rakhine

By HRW  March 28, 2014 Stop Further Attacks on Aid Workers in Arakan State (New York) –  Burma ’s national government should postpone the planned nationwide census to prevent growing communal violence and attacks on the aid community, Human Rights Watch said today. At greatest risk are vulnerable Muslim communities and aid workers from international organizations. On March 26, 2014, mobs in Arakan State began attacking international aid organizations, damaging or destroying 14 properties, including offices, residences, and food storage facilities. The organizations quickly evacuated 32 international and 39 Burmese staff from the Arakan provincial capital, Sittwe, on March 28. “The mob attacks in Arakan State illustrate the risks of proceeding with the census in such a volatile atmosphere,” said  Brad Adams , Asia director. “The government should suspend the census until it can ensure adequate security and a fair process for everyone involved.” Burma’s long-a