The Stateless Rohingya Blog

By  Rajeshwari Krishnamurthy Eurasia Review February 08, 2014 A recent UN statement demanding an impartial probe into the killings of Muslims by Buddhists, in Myanmar, has once again brought the issue of the Rohingyas – widely accepted as the most persecuted minority group – to the fore. The alarming frequency, with which reports, detailing an unmistakable campaign of suppression of the community have been emerging over the past several months, is worrying. The clergy known for their non-violent values, have taken to violence in an attempt to rid the state of Rakhine, of the Rohingya Muslims. Why have clergy in Myanmar opted for violent means? Why is the government in Naypyidaw silent on this matter? Increasing Islamophobia The friction between the Rakhine Buddhists and the Rohingyas began as a mild form of xenophobia in 1824. It has now evolved into a full-blown violent campaign of driving out the ‘settlers,’ who have now lived in the region for generat...

Myanmar President Thein Sein (right) greets opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a dinner to mark Union Day on Feb12, 2013, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Mr Thein Sein is set to embark on his first visit to Europe as president on Monday, Feb 25, 2013. -- PHOTO: AP Eurasia Review: March 02, 2013 By Janani Govindankutty Since independence, multiple ethnic groups have been fighting the State and other groups in Myanmar. With the new reforms process in progress, what is the current status of these ethnic conflicts within the country? The Kachin Conflict The Kachins have been demanding autonomy for the past 50 years. Though a ceasefire was declared on 13 January 2013, the clashes between the Myanmar Army and Kachin Independence Army continue. As the Kachin state in Myanmar borders China, a conflict along this periphery ensured China’s involvement in mediating peace talks in February. Although Aung San Suu Kyi has also expressed her interest in furthering the med...

Rohingya boat people under arrest on the Andaman coast Photo by supplied police photo By RSIS  Eurasia Review  February 26, 2013  The exodus of many Rohingya over the past year has brought increased international awareness to their plight, as well as Southeast Asia’s inability to deal effectively with forced migration. A regional approach is needed to find a durable solution to the influx of Rohingya boat people. By Eliane Coates SINCE THE communal clashes began in Arakan State in June 2012, the scale of Rohingya fleeing by boat to neighbouring Southeast Asian countries has increased significantly. According to a reliable source from the human rights organisation The Arakan Project, it is estimated 19,500 registered and unregistered Rohingya, including some Bangladeshis, have fled by boat from Bangladesh and North Arakan State, with an estimated 100 people having drowned during the process. With an estimated 115,000 people in Arakan displaced...