The Stateless Rohingya Blog

By Palash R. Ghosh: International Business Times As Myanmar (or Burma) gradually  opens up to Western nations after a half-century of isolation , observers are wondering how far the Burmese government will actually go into enacting democratic reforms. Having elected a (nominally) civilian government last year, the new president of Burma, Thein Sein, has promised a series of liberalizing measures, including the legalization of trade unions, the release of (some) political prisoners, as well as “fair and free” elections. He has even opened up talks with pro-democracy activist and opposition figure, Aung San Suu Kyi.

By Kaladanpress Chittagong, Bangladesh: Rohingya with other – Chin, Kachin, Shan, Kayah and Mon - ethnic groups’ representatives met British Foreign Secretary William Hague at the residence of the British ambassador in Rangoon yesterday at 5pm- 6pm, according to a source from Rangoon and BBC Burmese.

 By Hla Hla Htay British Foreign Secretary William Hague holds talks with Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin in  the capital Naypyitaw January 5, 2012. (REUTERS/Martin Petty) NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: British Foreign Secretary William Hague Thursday called on Myanmar to release all its political prisoners and make more progress on democratic reforms as he began an historic visit. Hague will meet with both President Thein Sein and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi in his two-day trip -- the first by a British foreign minister in more than half a century to the nation long ruled by the military.

By Kaladanpress Maungdaw, Arakan State: A village administration office staff forced villagers to pay 200 kyat for a photocopy of family list, according to a village administration office member from Maungdaw. “One photocopy cost only 30 kyats in Maungdaw, but collecting 200 kyats for one. Shwezarr is only one mile far awayfrom main Town”

By Kaladanpress Maungdaw, Arakan State: Since January 2, the Immigration of Maungdaw has been collecting family lists and group photos from villagers of Nasaka area No.6 and 5 of Maungdaw Township, said a local trader elder who did not wish to be identified.  Every year, at the beginning of January, the Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) and Immigration separately collect family lists and group photos of Rohingya villagers in north Arakan. 

By Kaladanpress Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) arrested a fire victim from Maungdaw Township on December 29, and was released today after taking Kyat 500,000, said a close relative of the victim preferring not to be named. “The victim was identified as Abu Sayed (25), son of Jamal, hailed from Naribill west village of Nasaka area No. 6 of Maungdaw Township.”

By    MIZZIMA NEWS Aung San Suu Kyi has yet to officially announce what parliamentary constituency she will contest, but voters now know they will be casting their ballots in the by-election on April 1. Some sources have said Suu Kyi will file in Kawhmu, a rural township south of Rangoon, but that cannot be officially confirmed. The official election date announcement came on Saturday through the state-media. The National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Suu Kyi, is still waiting for the approval of its application to re-register as a political party. After its approval, she is expected to announce.