The Stateless Rohingya Blog

Chiang Mai ( Mizzima ) – Derek J. Mitchell, the first U.S. special representative and policy coordinator for Burma, will meet government officials in Naypyitaw on Friday and Saturday, followed by meetings in Rangoon. US special representative to Burma Derek Mitchell. Photo: U.S. State Department “His trip is intended to build upon U.S. dialogue and engagement toward shared goals of genuine reform, reconciliation and development for the Burmese people,” the U.S. Department of State said in a statement released on Tuesday. Mitchell, who holds the rank of ambassador, will continue consultations in Rangoon from Saturday to Wednesday, according to the statement. Since the military coup in Burma in September 1988, the U.S. has not appointed an ambassador to Burma, lowering the level of its diplomatic relationship with the country. During his one-week trip, Mitchell will meet with a full spectrum of Burmese society, including government officials, members of political parties, local civil ...

Chiang Mai (Mizzima ) – The UN secretary-general has offered a cautious welcome to pledges of reform by the Burmese government but has expressed his deep concern over the continued detention of political prisoners. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the release of all political prisoners in Burma. Photo: AFP UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the release of all political prisoners in Burma. Photo: AFPUnited Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report released on Wednesday that the continued detention of political prisoners, who are estimated to number 1,995 in the country, "remains of deepest concern" to the United Nations, according to Agence France-Presse. Ban said the new nominally civilian government, elected in November 2010, and the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, gave the country a chance to “embark on the path of progress.” In the report, dated August 5 but just released by the United Nations office in Rangoon, the UN chief said commitments...

Chittagong, Bangladesh : Foreign Minister Dipu Moni yesterday asked Burma envoy for early repatriation of the Rohingya refugees from Nayapara and Kutupalong camps in Cox's Bazar district, according to a press release of Foreign Minister Office. Foreign Minister Dipu Moni is giving press-briefing“The Foreign Minister made the request when Min Lwin, Burma’s Ambassador in Bangladesh, called on her at the Foreign Ministry.” “Terming Bangladesh-Burma relations excellent, Foreign Minister stressed enhancing and deepening the bilateral ties further for the benefit of two countries.” Besides, Dipu Moni put due importance on the improvement of connectivity through direct air services, costal shipping lines, and direct road, railway links.

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and NGO groups plan to discuss the call for a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into war crimes in Burma with European Union (EU) diplomats ahead of a European Council meeting on human rights in Brussels on Monday. UN special envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana will speak to EU representatives about war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. In this file photo, he reads a press statement while on a visit to Burma. Photo: Mizzima The institute has arranged the meeting for diplomats on Tuesday with the aim to discuss the urgent need for the establishment of a United Nations COI into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma, according to a press release. To this end, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burma, Tomás Ojea Quintana, together with a representatives from Burma Campaign UK; the Burma Lawyers’ Council and the International Federation of Human Rights...

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Border security force (Nasaka) is looting money from Rohingya villagers in Maungdaw Township by giving false and fabricated accusations against them, said a local business man who denied to be named. “Nasaka personnel from Nasaka area No. 6, arrested Nabi Hussain (45), son of Sultan Ahmed, hailed from Nari Bill east village of Maungdaw township on suspicion of that he had a mobile set of Bangladesh, on September 2.” “However, he was released on that day after paying Kyat 250,000 to the authority.” “Rohingya will be tortured continuously until to death if authority didn’t get the money. Rohingya people, who are arrested by the authority, will try to be released after paying money as they know that the authorities are killing recently for money, with this advantage, the authority makes arbitrary arrests the Rohingya people to get money”, said an elder from Maungdaw. “If the authority is sincere, they will file cases against the arrestees and will hand over to th...

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) killed another Rohingya villager on August 24, over the allegation that he had involved in money exchange, said a close relative of the victim. “The victim was identified as Mohamed Hussain (55), son of Kader Hussain, hailed from Shwe Zaar Village tract of Maungdaw Township.” “Hussain was arrested by  officer of  Nasaka camp No. 14 under Shwe Zaar village Nasaka out-post, Nasaka Sector # 6 of Maungdaw Township on August 21, over the accusation that he had been involved in illegal money exchange.” “Hussain was severely tortured by the Nasaka personnel to take confessional statement while he was detained in the Nasaka outpost camp.” However, on August 24, at around 3:30 pm, he was handed over to his relatives while the victim was serious condition. Receiving the victim, the relatives immediately took the victim to the Maungdaw General hospital for medical treatment. But, he was dead at about 5:00 pm, while taking t...

It is time the EU work to establish a UN-led Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity and other crimes under international law in Burma. Four years ago this month, the people of Burma rose up in what became known as the “Saffron Revolution,” named after the Buddhist monks who eventually led the demonstrations. While the world initially condemned the security forces’ violent crackdown that followed, several months later the Burmese authorities managed to deflect international criticism by announcing it would hold national elections and form a civilian government. The international community, including the European Union (EU), has been distracted ever since, despite an abundance of information that Burma’s government has continued to violate human rights on a massive scale. “Wait and see”—what the government will do before the elections, how the elections will be conducted, whether the new government will make any changes—has been the prevailing and irresponsible approach....