The Stateless Rohingya Blog

By Laurinda Luffman For SOS Children The media is full of news about the recent visit to Myanmar (formerly Burma) made by the US secretary of state, Hilary Clinton. Mrs Clinton’s time with Aung San Suu Kyi and her meeting with the Burmese government are seen as hopeful signs that Burma’s rulers may finally be open to reform. But as these stirrings of optimism grow, there seems little hope for a change in the situation of Myanmar’s most persecuted people – the Rohingya.

File Photo UNB, Naypaitaw Myanmar has agreed to take back from Bangladesh the Rohingya refugees who have been recently verified by the Myanmar authorities as per agreed criteria. Myanmar President U Thein Sein gave the assurance to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during official talks at the President’s Office Tuesday.

By JOSEPH ALLCHIN Sheikh Hasina leads the most senior-level Bangladesh delegation to Burma in eight years (Reuters) Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in Naypyidaw yesterday afternoon for talks in which she will look to iron out business deals with President Thein Sein and strengthen bilateral relations. Hasina and her delegation, including Foreign Minister Dipu Moni were met by Burmese Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin at the airport in the capital before having a formal meeting in a Naypyidaw hotel. They become the most senior-level Bangladeshi delegation to visit Burma in eight years. With the stated goal of doubling bilateral trade to $US400 million in two years, Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Faruk Khan told Reuters of the trip that “[Hasina] will explore possibilities including buying energy, leasing farming land and joint hydro-electric projects.” Both leaders have sought stronger foreign relations since coming to power, with Hasina seemingly looking to put a ...

By yaleglobal The ice-breaking visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Naypyidaw ended 50 years of US-Burma estrangement. The Obama administration has signaled desire for US engagement with the pariah regime since 2009, and since March, Burma’s Thein Sein has strived to widen the military regime’s legitimacy both at home and abroad. Hope for reforms is in the air – and this YaleGlobal series analyzes the history, the domestic momentum and big power ramifications of the reforms. Burma’s fiercely nationalistic armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw, have been in charge since the nation gained independence from Britain in 1948. The Tatmadaw seems intent on attempting to improve its image, writes Burma specialist David I. Steinberg in the first article of this two-part series, while the Obama administration seeks to reaffirm US strategic interests in Southeast Asia. The long-term outlook may be uncertain, but after 50 long years, the relationship has been abruptly and amazingly tra...

News By Kaladan Press Teknaf, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) handed over 19 released prisoners to Nasaka (Burma’s border security force) on December 3, while Burmese border security force (Nasaka) handed over 35 Bangladeshi prisoners through flag meeting between Nasaka and BGB at Teknaf, according to BGB official. Flag meeting between Nasaka and BGB at Teknaf, the released prisoners from Bangladesh jail Major A. Khoda Shamshur Zaman Mohammad Ariful of BGB Battalion # 42 of Teknaf led 10 members delegation from Bangladesh side while a nine-member delegation was led by Major San Win Khaing, the commander, Nasaka area No.6 of Burma side. Major Kyaw Aung, the commander of Nasaka area No.7 of Maungdaw Township was also participated in the meeting. The step was carried out "at the request of the Bangladesh government and for the sake of friendly ties and relations between the two countries and considering their personal affairs." Burma has released 35 Bangladeshis f...

Chittagong, Bangladesh: Bangladesh and Burma will sign agreements on economic cooperation and investment protection during Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina's visit to Burma, according to an official. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina “Hasina's visit is the first by a Bangladeshi prime minister in eight years at the invitation of Burma. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leaves for Burma today on a three-day official visit and she will be received by Burmese Foreign Minister Wunna Maung.”

Rohingya issue to top agenda By Dailystar Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leaves for Myanmar today on a three-day official visit with officials saying that repatriation of Rohingya refugees, energy cooperation, maritime dispute, trade and connectivity is high on the agenda. During the visit the two countries are expected to sign several deals aimed at boosting economic cooperation and improving bilateral relations, foreign ministry sources in Dhaka said.