The Stateless Rohingya Blog

Thirty year-old Ahmed (not his real name), is a Rohingya refugee. He and other refugees fled to Malaysia by the dangerous sea route frequented by Rohingya boatpeople, leaving from Bangladesh. They sought a better life after more than 20 years living in squalid conditions  in small sheds in Bangladesh refugee camps, with no official status with the UNHCR and Bangladesh authorities,

( Mizzima ) – U.S. Ambassador Derek Mitchell, the special representative and policy coordinator for Burma, has met with a group of refugees in the state department, who explained their concerns about U.S. policy toward towards Burma. Left to right, Aung Din, the executive director of U.S. Campaign for Burma; Gum San Maung, president, Kachin National Organization U.S.A., Ambassador Derek Mitchell; and Myra Dahgaypaw, the campaigns coordinator U.S. Campaign for Burma. The group included Aung Din, the executive director of U.S. Campaign for Burma; Myra Dahgaypaw, the campaigns coordinator U.S. Campaign for Burma; and Gum San Maung, president, Kachin National Organization U.S.A.

By BA KAUNG / THE IRRAWADDY  Burmese President Thein Sein (PHOTO: Released by Thai government) Burma’s President Thein Sein is misusing his power during the current campaign for parliamentary by-elections scheduled for April 1, according to the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Under the country's election rules, government officials including the president are barred from representing or campaigning for a political party.

SINGAPORE: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday he will visit Myanmar "probably" next month as he urged international support for reforms in the country.

Yangon: NLD president Daw Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday visited an Arakanese monastery, a Lodaw Pyi, in Yangon to worship the 11.50 viss golden tiered and ornamented pagoda, said U Kumara, a spoke person of the monastery.

Rohingya seen working on the Bangladesh-Burma border fence. Forced labour is commonly implemented across Burma. (photo via The Arakan Project) Villagers in Naypyidaw’s Lewe township who protested a relocation order have been sentenced to hard labour. Residents in Lewe township’s Meethwaybogon village were given notice by Naypyidaw’s Development Committee to relocate because the community was located within a government project zone.

By SOPHENG CHEANG   Associated Press   PHNOM PENH, Cambodia  -- Myanmar's president confirmed Wednesday that his country will allow some foreign election observers, including from the United States and Europe, to monitor next month's polls, considered a crucial test of reforms he has taken in the military-dominated country.