The Stateless Rohingya Blog

The Rohingya booth at the Dubai international aid conference, where representatives at the event hope to spread the word among international aid donors about the cause of the Rohingya. Christopher Pike / The National  The National March 27, 2013 DUBAI // A group of Rohingya have travelled to the UAE to highlight their people's plight to international aid organisations. The Rohingyaare a Muslim minority from the predominantly Buddhist Myanmar. Twelve of their people set up a stand at the 10th Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development (Dihad) conference and exhibition. "Our mission is to empower the Rohingyas so they can communicate directly with international NGOs," said Amjad Romman, general coordinator of Bader Gateway, a Saudi Arabian charity that arranged the group's visit. "The Dihad conference is a unique opportunity to get all these NGOs under one umbrella. This is the Rohingyas' chance to present the...

A mass protest near the Myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur demanded an immediate end to violence against the Muslim minority in Myanmar, which continues to claim lives and displace thousands.  World Bulletin/News Desk A mass protest of approximately 2,000 was held near the Myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, demanding an immediate end to violence against the Muslim minority in Myanmar's Rakhine state, formerly known as Arakan. The protestors included Muslims from Burma consisting of various ethnic backgrounds such as the Rohingyas and Kamans from the Rakhine State, Pathy, Chulia, Surti, among others. During the protests, protesters held posters demanding the end of violence against religious groups and Islamophobic hate speech and discriminations, and urging the establishment of peace and stability in the country, according to  Mayupress. Protestors shouted “we need peace and harmony in Burma,” “We need justice,” “Save our innocent lives and properties” and o...

A soldier patrols through a neighbourhood that was burnt during recent violence in Sittwe on June 14, 2012. © 2012 Reuters Human Rights Watch March 26, 2013 Fears of Long-Term Segregation of Displaced Population (Bangkok) – The Burmese government is systematically restricting humanitarian aid and imposing discriminatory policies on Rohingya Muslims in Arakan State. The government should permit unfettered access to humanitarian agencies to provide assistance to Muslim populations, end segregated areas, and put forward a plan for those displaced to return to their homes.  “Burmese government restrictions on aid to Rohingya Muslims are creating a humanitarian crisis that will become a disaster when the rainy season arrives,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Instead of addressing the problem, Burma’s leaders seem intent on keeping the Rohingya segregated in camps rather than planning for them to return to their homes.”  An...

PressTV:  March 26, 2013   A political analyst tells Press TV that we must raise our voice to the UN, to the US, to every free conscious around the world to stop this madness and this genocide against the Muslim people in Myanmar. The comments came after extremist Buddhists attacked dozens of houses and mosques in the central town of Meiktila. At least 40 people were killed and 12,000 people were displaced during three days of violence in the town. Hundreds of Rohingyas are believed to have been killed and thousands of others displaced in attacks by Buddhist extremists. Press TV has conducted an interview with Kamel Wazne, political analyst, to further discuss the issue. What follows is an approximate transcription of the interview. Press TV: We are having this situation still ongoing even though this has been months that one of the most persecuted communities mainly the Rohingyas have been targeted inside Myanmar. Why isn’t the government reacti...

A heavily intoxicated and drug-affected youth clenches a broken brick on Sunday as he surveys the smoldering remains of one of Meikhtila’s Muslim neighborhoods, which was razed by rioters last week. (Photo: Steve Tickner / The Irrawaddy) Irrawaddy News: March 26, 2013 RANGOON — Fear gripped Rangoon’s Muslim communities on Sunday night after reports and rumors began to emerge that groups of rioters were planning to attack their neighborhoods. Muslim residents reacted by closing shops and holding nighttime patrols, but eventually there were few incidents in Burma’s biggest city. Over the weekend the violence directed at Islamic communities spread southward through Mandalay Division from Meikhtila Township, where 8,000 Muslims were displaced and dozens people were killed after violence erupted last Wednesday. Some Islamic leaders and Burmese activists now allege that the rapidly spreading communal violence—which appears to pit Buddhists against Muslims—is in fact being ...

Rohingya boatpeople wait behind bars at a Phuket police station on Feb. 1. (Photo: phuketwan.com) The Sun Daily: March 26, 2013  GEORGE TOWN (March 26, 2013): A total of 117 Rohingya refugees, including 24 children, were detained near Muka Head in Teluk Bahang by maritime enforcement officers on Sunday. They were picked up after the Penang Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted an unlicensed boat seven nautical miles west of Muka Head. The enforcement unit found 117 people, including 21 women and 24 children aged 12 years and below, in the boat which was sent to the Limbungan Batu Maung jetty, the MMEA said in a statement today. Earlier this month, 126 Rohingyas were rescued from their leaking boat by local fishermen about 2.5 nautical miles from Muka Head. In mid February, 140 Rohingya refugees were found wandering around Teluk Bahang National Park after illegally entering through Teluk Kampi beach. Meanwhile, in Sydney, Austral...

Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas UN News Centre  March 26, 2013 25 March 2013 – The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide today voiced deep concern at reports of increased violence between Muslim and Buddhist communities in Myanmar, and called on leaders to promote respect for diversity and peaceful coexistence. Last week President Thein Sein reportedly declared a state of emergency and imposed martial law in four central townships after several days of unrest between Buddhists and Muslims, including in Meiktila where at least 30 people were killed. “The recent episode of violence in Meiktila in central Myanmar raises concerns that sectarian violence is spreading to other parts of the country,” stated Special Adviser Adama Dieng. “In the context of last year’s violence between Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state, there is a considerable risk of further violence if measures are n...