Urgent Aid Needed for Rohingya Starving in Their Own Homes

BURMESE ROHINGYA ORGANISATION UK (BROUK)
10 Station Road, Walthamstow, London E17 8AA
Tel: +44 2082 571 143, E-mail: brorg.london@gmail.com , web : www.bro-uk.org

Date: 03/10/2012

Urgent Aid Needed for Rohingya Starving in Their Own Homes

A new crisis is emerging in Arakan State, Burma, where up to 700,000 Rohingya are trapped in their homes and villages, unable to go out and buy food or farm because of ongoing attacks and threats against them. BROUK is already receiving reports of babies are dying from malnutrition.

While international attention has focused on up to 100,000 Rohingya in camps for internally displaced people, who are now receiving regular aid, hundreds of thousands more Rohingya in areas not visited by aid workers and international observers are starving in their own homes.

It has been almost 4 months the violence erupted in Arakan State, Burma, and since then local Rohingya people describe being under effective siege by government forces and local Rakhine communities. Constant human rights abuses committed against Rohingya make it unsafe for them to leave their homes to get food.

BROUK has received the following information from the ground about abuses committed in the past week, which give an indication of the type of abuses forcing people to stay at home:

1. Two Rohingya were killed in Sittwe while they went to buy food from Central Market.

2. No Rohingyas can go to school, hospitals, or markets most of the towns of Arakan State. Several people who tried to go out were beaten and killed.

3. Many Rohingyas were arrested in Maungdaw Township. Those who were arrested have disappeared.

4. Around 3000 Rakhine armed with weapons, together with Rakhine Monks, gathered and surrounded Rohingya areas for hours in an attempt to recreate violence against the Rohingyas in Sittwe. They demanded all Rohingyas to come out of their houses or they would kill each and every Rohingya in the area.

5. 3 Rohingya boys were shot by government authorities while they were watching their cattle in the pasture between paddy field and forest nearby the village in Pauktaw Township.

6. In Pauktaw Township many babies have died because of malnutrition. Adults are also reported to be starving.

7. Rohingya face a boycott in many areas with local Rakhine shopkeepers refusing to sell them food.

8. Prison and security forces in Buthidaung jail are cutting off or burning the penises of Rohingyas, forcing them to have homosexual sex with one another, cutting off or pulling out their finger nails, severely beating them, keeping them naked all the time, keeping them without food and water for days. When they are given foods once in many days, it is on the ground with their hands tied at their backs. Authorities in the jail force them through immense torture to confess that they are animals and that’s why they have to eat like animals.

9. The bound and dead body of a Rohingya man was found in Sanpya village of Sittwe.

10. More than 10 Rohingyas were robbed and beaten, receiving serious injuries, by police and security forces while they tried to travel from Alay Than Kyaw village to another village in Maungdaw.

11. Those with bullet injuries and disease are in acute mental and physical pain without any medical care and treatment.

BROUK President Tun Khin said: “President Thein Sein has already publicly stated that he wants to ethnically cleanse all Rohingya out of Burma, even asking for international help to do so. He is already implementing this policy, using starvation instead of bullets to kill Rohingya men, women and children.”

“Hilary Clinton, David Cameron, Ban Ki-moon and others are praising Thein Sein at the same time as he is killing our people. They should be insisting to end the starvation siege against Rohingya, and allows in international aid all effected areas in Arakan. They should also be working at the UN General Assembly for a UN Commission of Inquiry into what is taking place.”

For more information contact Tun Khin on +44 (0)7888714866.

An open Letter Director General of ARU and Sectary General Of OIC

On Fri, Sep 28, 2012 at 7:06 PM, Maung Hla Myint KTW <mghlamyint.ktw@gmail.com> wrote:

 

 

 

Dear Director General of ARU and Sectary General Of OIC

Assalamu Alikum,

 

With due respect,We are praying to Almighty Allah to bless all of you.It is scarring me to write detail what happening here.We are passing day and night praying to Allah to save us because we don't know what going to happen tomorrow.It is very well plan to kill all of us and also it is very well organize.I think they will kill us without gun.Neither we have medicine nor food.Rakhine Mobs started gathering this afternoon at Oo Ottama Park. Despite presence of authority in the area, Rakhine Mob could proceed with  guns and knives etc and surround the remaining Rohingya areas in the town of Sittwe, anytime they can attack to Muslim Village.We are surviving here barely with small food and no medicine.Our sick,old ,young and injuries are dieing every hours.

 

May you know  after the declaration of Rathidaung conference they become very aggressive.They have been decided not to keep any Muslim House in the town or on the side of any Major Road.They declare to size all immovable Muslim's properties by any mean if necessary killing all Muslim in Arakan.They also asking not to open any OIC office on Arakan soil.All jail in Arakan are same to Abugarib of Baghdad for us even worst than Abugarib,it all  jail are silent killing palace.In Arakan anyone from Muslim community, they want they can kill, there is no Justice,judge themselves are killer,Arakan is no save place for Muslim.Our daily life here is hell.According to my best knowledge ,seeking help from currant Burmese Government is westing time and losting more innocent life.Than Sein Government is fully implementing exactly what he said to UNHCR High Commissioner.If a second country don't take us they will kill us systematically silently.We are not strong enough to fight against a mighty military government.Our people and our leader need to understand the situation of Arakan.In this situation, you should try to fine a safe place for us rather than seeking our citizenship from Myanmar Government.If we can not survive/we can not live here what for citizenship here?It is a method of systematic ethnic cleansing and genocide against the Rohingya community, which had never been used in any country in the world .
 

I don't know I will be here tomorrow or not,but if you want you can save  at least half of the Rohingya or they have to die without food and without Medicine.Thank You.

 

Sincerely,

Maung Hla Myint

The Rohingya conundrum

By Nehginpao Kipgen   |   Monday, 24 September 2012

Rohingya sit in a tractor loaded with bags of donated rice outside a temporary relief camp on the outskirts of Sittwe in June. Photo: AFP

Since May this year, Myanmar has witnessed an escalation in the simmering tension between two groups of people in Rakhine State. The violence between the Rakhine (also known as Arakan) and Rohingya (also known as Bengali) has led to the death of at least 88 people and displacement of thousands of others. Unofficial reports, however, put the number of deaths in the hundreds.

The immediate cause of the violence was the rape and murder of a Rakhine Buddhist woman on May 28 by three male Rohingya. This was followed by a retaliatory killing of 10 Muslims by a mob of Rakhine on June 3. It should be noted that tension between these two groups has existed for several decades.

Several questions are being routinely asked: Why has little apparently been done to resolve the conflict? Is there a possibility of reaching a permanent solution to this protracted problem? Much blame has also been directed at both the Myanmar government and the opposition, led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

As members of the international community are trying to promote their own national interests in newly democratic Myanmar, sectarian violence such as we have seen in Rakhine State has not been paid serious attention, especially by Western powers.

While Human Rights Watch has criticised the Myanmar government for failing to prevent the initial unrest, majority Muslim nations, such as Indonesia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Malaysia have criticised what they allege is discrimination against the Rohingya based on their religious beliefs.

The sensitivity of the issue has silenced many from discussing it publicly. Even the internationally acclaimed human rights champion and leader of the democratic opposition, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has made only brief comments about the conflict, emphasising the need to establish an adequate citizenship law.

The root of the problem begins with the nomenclature itself. Although many of the Muslims in Rakhine State call themselves Rohingya, the Myanmar government and many of the country’s citizens call them illegal Bengali migrants from neighbouring Bangladesh.

Since the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh have refused to accept them as their citizens, the Rohingya have automatically become stateless under international law. Under such circumstances, are there any possible solutions to the problem?

President U Thein Sein suggested that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) should consider resettling the Rohingya in other countries. Although such proposal may sound ideal to many, there would definitely be challenges in terms of implementation.

For example, will there be a nation or nations willing to welcome and embrace the million or so Rohingya people? Moreover, UNHCR chief Antonio Guterres has rejected the idea of resettlement. Even if the agency reconsidered its position, would the UNHCR offices in Myanmar and Bangladesh have adequate resources to process such a large number of people?

One possible solution is for the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh to reach an amicable arrangement to integrate the Rohingya population into their respective societies. There are about 800,000 Rohingya inside Myanmar and another 300,000 in Bangladesh.

This proposition also has its own challenges. Chiefly, will the indigenous Rakhine accept Rohingya as their fellow citizens and live peacefully with them? On the other hand, will the Bangladesh government change its policy and offer citizenship to the Rohingya?

Another possible solution is that Myanmar can amend its 1982 citizenship law to pave the way for the Rohingya to apply for citizenship. As Minister for Immigration and Population U Khin Yi told Radio Free Asia recently, under the existing law foreigners can apply for citizenship only if they are born in Myanmar, their parents and grandparents have lived and died in Myanmar, they are literate in Burmese and meet some additional criteria.

Finally, to prevent a further escalation in tensions, the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh need to secure their porous international borders to prevent illegal movements.

None of the above suggested policies are simple and easy to achieve. Despite the challenges and difficulties, the Rohingya issue cannot be ignored for too long. Without addressing the crux of the problem, the May incident and the violence it sparked could recur, with even more tragic consequences.

Until a solution is achieved, international institutions, such as the United Nations and Association of Southeast Asian Nations, should pressure the Myanmar government to take steps to resolve the problem of Rohingya statelessness in a holistic manner, rather than inciting, or allowing others to incite, hatred along religious or racial lines.

(Nehginpao Kipgen is general secretary of the United States-based Kuki International Forum. His research interests include political transition, democratisation, human rights, ethnic conflict and identity politics and he has written numerous peer-reviewed and non-academic articles on the politics of Myanmar and Asia.)

Source: here

NHRC for talks with Myanmar to end Rohingya crisis

Dhaka, Sunday, September 23 2012

Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Prof Mizanur Rahman Saturday stressed the need for resolving the longstanding Rohingya refugee crisis through bilateral consultations between Bangladesh and Myanmar, reports UNB.

"They (Rohingyas) need to be given shelter on humanitarian ground, but Bangladesh has no capacity to shelter such a large number of refugees…the ongoing Rohingya crisis should be resolved through bilateral consultations," he told a discussion in the city.

The NHRC organised the discussion, titled 'Journey to Solution of Rohingya Refugee Crisis: A National Consultation United Nation High Commission for Refugee' at Dhaka University's Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban.

According to the international convention 1951, Dr Rahman said, Bangladesh has the right to send Rohingyas back to their homeland in the greater interest of the country. "The Myanmar government puts pressure on the Muslim ethnic community to leave Myanmar for political reasons," he told the discussion.

The NHRC chief said Bangladesh has already sent a formal latter to the Myanmar government for resolving the problem, but Myanmar does not give any positive response. "Under the circumstances, international help is needed to resolve the crisis."

"Rohingya issue is damaging the image of the country," he said adding that the Bangladesh government is sincerely trying to work out a solution to the longstanding crisis, which puts pressure on Bangladesh's land day by day.

Information Commissioner Sadeka Halim, DMP commissioner Benazir Ahmed and Prof Dr Kazi Zakir Hossain, among others, spoke at the discussion.

Source: Financial Express

Roots of violence, hatred run deep

Sunday September 23, 2012

By BENJAMIN ZAWACKI 

The Rohingya problem in Myanmar stems from the systematic discrimination against this ethnic and religious minority.

MUCH has been written lately, either empathetically or as a challenge, of Myanmar’s “Rohingya problem”. Since early June, the Rohingya have borne the brunt of communal violence, human rights violations, and an urgent humanitarian situation in Rakhine State, and face an uncertain future. But when considered more closely, is that all? What really is the problem?

The events of this year, as well as the violent events of 1978, 1992, 2001, and 2009, are attributable to systemic discrimination against the Rohingya in Myanmar. That is, to a political, social, and economic system – manifested in law, policy, and practices – designed to discriminate against this ethnic and religious minority.

This system makes such direct violence against the Rohingya far more possible and likely than it would otherwise be. Further, in the eyes of the Myanmar authorities at least – as evidenced by the lack of accountability for the civilians and officials alike – discrimination also makes the violence and violations somehow justifiable. That is the problem.

In 1978’s “Dragon King” operation, the Myanmar army committed widespread killings and rape of Rohingya civilians and carried out the destruction of mosques and other religious persecution. That resulted in the exodus of an estimated 200,000 Rohingya to neighbouring Bangladesh.

A similar campaign of forced labour, summary executions, torture and rape in 1992 led to a similar number of Rohingyas again fleeing across the border.

In February 2001, communal violence between the Muslim and Buddhist populations in Sittwe resulted in an unknown number of people killed and Muslim property destroyed.

Late 2009 featured the pushing back by Thai authorities onto the high seas of several boats – lacking adequate food, water, and fuel – of Rohingyas in the Andaman Sea.

It is true that all of these events have similar, separate equivalents in countries in which systemic discrimination does not take place.

Yet in Myanmar such discrimination provides the violence with a ready-made antecedent, expressly approved by the state. Indeed, to varying degrees, the five seminal events noted above were simply exacerbations of this underlying discrimination.

It would overstate the causality to assert that if Myanmar had never put its system of discrimination against the Rohingya into place, these events would not have occurred. Eliminating it now, however, is urgently required for a sustainable future peace in Rakhine State and, equally important, is a human rights imperative.

The system’s anchor is the 1982 Citizenship Law, which in both design and implementation effectively denies the right to a nationality to the Rohingya population. It supercedes all previous citizenship regimes in Myanmar of 1947, 1948, and 1974.

The 1982 Citizenship Law creates three classes of citizens – full, associate, and naturalised – none of which has been conferred on the Rohingya. Full citizenship is reserved for those whose ancestors settled in Myanmar before the year 1823 or are among Myanmar’s more than 130 recognised national ethnic groups, of which the Rohingya is not one.

Associate citizens are those who were both eligible and applied for citizenship under the 1948 Union Citizenship Act. Requiring an awareness of the law that few Rohingya had and a level of proof that even fewer were able to provide, this included few Rohingya.

Likewise with naturalised citizenship, eligible for those who resided in Myanmar for five continuous years on or before 1948. Moreover, with all three classes, a Central Body has the discretion to deny citizenship even where the criteria are met.

The 1982 Citizenship Law’s discriminatory effects are also extremely consequential. The main one is that the Rohingya, lacking citizenship in Myanmar, have been rendered stateless, both unable to avail themselves of the protection of the state and – as has been the case for decades – subject to policies and practices which constitute violations of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

While not limited to Rohingyas, they are not imposed in the same manner and to the same degree on Buddhists or other Muslims in Rakhine State.

This is systemic discrimination. Laws, policies, and practices, though designed and carried out by people, are ultimately part of or attributable to a system that ensures discrimination even in the absence of discriminatory individuals.

And it is patently unlawful.

As a member of the United Nations, Myanmar is legally obliged to promote “universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion”, as written in Articles 55 and 56 of the UN Charter.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights – though admittedly not a binding document – provides in Article 2 that everyone is entitled to all the rights in the Declaration “without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”

It is clear that Myanmar, as a state party to this Convention, is in violation of its international legal obligations pertaining to the right of Rohingya children to a nationality.

Solutions? Myanmar should substantially amend the 1982 Citizenship Law or repeal and redraft it, such that the Rohingya are indisputably made citizens.

Rohingyas born in Myanmar who would otherwise be stateless should be granted citizenship, as should those who are not born there but are able to establish a genuine and effective link to the country.

Myanmar should also eliminate its policies and practices that discriminate against the Rohingya on the grounds of ethnicity and/or religion.

Myanmar’s “Rohingya problem” is almost entirely of its own making. More than any other single step, dismantling its system of discrimination would bring it closer to a solution.

Benjamin Zawacki is the South-East Asia Regional Representative of the International Development Law Organisation and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. The views expressed here are his own, adapted from remarks given earlier last week at “Plight of the Rohingya: Solutions?”, a conference organised by the Perdana Global Peace Foundation in Kuala Lumpur.

Source: The Star 

RCI, NDPHR (exile-HQ) and BRAFA Rally in Front of UN (HQ) under Burma Task Force-USA

The Rohingya Concern International (RCI), The National Democratic Party for Human Rights (exile-HQ) USA and Burmese Rohingya American Friendship Association (BRAFA) actively demonstrated to show support and solidarity as well as condemning the on-going violence and pre-planned massacre to the Genocide victim Muslims such as Rohingya, Kaman and Rakhine Muslim of Arakan/Burma under the banner of Burma Task Force, NY, on September 08, 2012 with a huge rally of approximately 600 Americans including the Rohingyas.

The other active organizations behind the rally in the Burma Task Force (NY) were Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), Muslim Peace Coalition of USA, Jamaica Islamic Center (NY), Council of American-Islamic Relations-NY (CAIR), and Burmese Rohingya Association of North America (BRANA).

Many American Muslim dignitaries, leaders, human rights advocates, and Rohingya leaders from the United States delivered speeches in the Rally moderated by Dr. Shaikh Obaid, the Director of the Burma Task Force-USA/NY.

The Speakers included Mr.Mohiuddin M Yusof (President of Rohingya Concern International(RCI),Mr.Kyaw Soe Aung (aka)Shaukhat MSK Jilani (the General Secretary of NDPHR(exile-HQ)USA and Acting President of Burmese Rohingya American Friendship Association (BRAFA), Al-Hajj Talib Abdur Rasheed (President of Islamic Leadership Council of New York Metropolitan Area), Mubasher Ahmed ( Islamic Circle of North America-ICNA), Abu Samia Siraj ( Muslim Ummah of North America), Mazim (Jamaica Muslim Center), Imam Ayub Abdul Bhaqi( Chairman of the Social Justice Committee & Islamic Leadership of New York Metropolitan Area), Naji Al-Muntasir ( Leader of Arab American Community), Dr. Wakar Uddin and Nay San Oo from Burmese Rohingya Association of North America (BRANA) , and Abu Samia Siraj (Leader of the Muslim Ummah of North America), and several leaders.

It was a historic event in front of the United Nations (HQ) where Muslim American women and young girls actively and strongly advocated and demonstrated their solidarity for the suffering cause of Muslim Rohingya people.

Some active Rohingya activists from America such as Mr.Yusof (aka)Ko Aye Tun from Garden City (Kansas),Mr.Junaid from New York (Buffalo),Mr. Zubair Ahmad @ Maung Ni from Milwaukee, Mr.Kamal Hussain from Milwaukee, Mr.Sayed Karim @ Khaing Hla Myint from Milwaukee, Mr. Hiram Shah @ Maung Win from Milwaukee, Mr. Ayub Khan from Milwaukee, Hajee Mohammad Ibrahim from Chicago, and Mr. Sultan Omar from Chicago participated in the demonstration under the banner of RCI,NDPHR and BRAFA respectively.

“President of RCI Mr. Muhiuddin Mohammad Yusof @ Maung Sein delivering the speech in the rally in front of UN (HQ)in New York City.”

Mr. Mohiuddin M Yusof ,the RCI president delivered the speech in English and Bangala languages which was short due to lack of material time in which he said of failure the global united response for immediate action on Rohingyas' suffering, demanded immediate restoration of Rohingyas' Citizenship rights repealing 1982 Myanmar citizenship law adopted by the military Government without the mandate of Burmese general masses, urged the democracy icon Daw Aung San suu Kyi to stand for justice and Rights of Rohingyas, condemned the instigation of Buddhist Monks (not all but those who are anti Rohingyas and Muslims) who are poisoning the minds and souls of Burmese population with hatred and enmity instead of love and (Metta) passion against the Rohingyas, expressed concern of the majority Burmese population united on Racism or form of extreme Buddhism against the Rohingyas, chanted slogan urging the President Obama to protect the Rohingyas.Moreover, taking consideration of majority Bangladeshi brothers and sisters in the Rally, Mr. Mohiuddin M Yusof spoken out in Bangla language absolutely denying the claim of the honorable Foreign Minister of secular Bangladesh Government Dipu Moni that Rohingyas in collaboration with Jamat-e-Islami and other fundamentalist/extremist Islamic organizations are creating problems in Arakan/Burma, he also fervently requested the honorable Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman and honorable Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheik Hasina Wajeda not to take any action or sign any document with Burmese Government that may hamper or threat the future and survival of Rohingyas of Burma.

Finally, on behalf of two million world-wide Rohingyas and 1.5 million oppressed and suppressed Muslims in Burma particularly, those one million who are the victims of Genocide in Arakan fervently appealed and requested 160 million peace loving and humanity-caring Bangladeshi people irrespective of race, religion and language to come forward and urge united way to the Bangladesh Government to help the Rohingya cause so that, Rohingyas can live in their native land Arakan as human being with honor and dignity enjoying all rights enshrined in the Universal declaration of human rights adopted by UN and signed by Burmese Government.

 “The General Secretary of NDPHR (exile-HQ)USA Mr. Kyaw Soe Aung @ Shaukhat MSK Jilani speaking with the Journalist from Columbia University in New York.”

Mr. Kyaw Soe Aung @ Shaukhat MSK Jilani, the General Secretary of NDPHR(exile-HQ)USA and Acting President of Burmese Rohingya American Friendship Association (BRAFA) said the Rohingyas are bonafied citizens of Burma according to 1947 Burma constitution which was laid down by General Aung San, the independence hero and father of the nation of Burma,1982 Myanmar citizenship law adopted by the late General Ne Win is totally discriminatory and falsehood as well as against the international human rights law which must be repealed right now, the Rohingyas are victims of Genocide of Burmese Government for many decades, the on-going genocide against the Muslims of Arakan is crime against humanity and it is time to bring Burmese Generals of current Government to International Criminal Court (ICC)and International Court of Justice (ICJ) as it is not excusable by any means, demanded the President Obama (US Government) and world bodies to take action of these brutal Generals into Criminal court as done before in Rawaznda, Yugoslavia and other countries, he also rejected strongly the racism in all forms, totalitarianism, ethnic cleansing and genocide in Burma, finally he requested to put US forces together UN peace keeping forces and monitoring units in Arakan for protection of the helpless Rohingyas in Arakan region of Burma.

“General Secretary of NDPHR(exile-HQ-USA)& Acting President of BRAFA giving speech at the gathering in front of the United Nations (HQ)in New York City.”

The other speeches by all respective speakers were already available in the Media and YouTube, so, not repeated here.

The RCI, NDPHR (exile-HQ) USA and BRAFA leadership and members would like to express the heart-felt thanks and appreciation to all those leaders, activists, participants, contributors and speakers who are engaged to support the Burmese Muslim Rohingya Cause under the banner of Burma Task Force USA for giving us an opportunity to express our views and opinions in the Rally of NYC in front of UN (HQ).

Yours truly,

(1)Mohiuddin M Yusof (President of RCI)

(2)Kyaw Soe Aung @ Shaukhat MSK Jilani (NDPHR-exile)

(3)Zubair Ahmad (Acting Secretary of BRAFA)

(4)Yusof @ Ko Aye Tun (RCI-Representative in Kansas)

(5)Junaid (Secretary of RCI)

Media Contact: - (1) Kyaw Soe Aung @ Shaukhat MSK Jilani

                                                        Tel: 414-736-4273

                                        (2)  Zubair Ahmad @ Maung Ni (Tel: 414-306-1751)

Note: Demonstration pictures are attached with this news information. Please download pictures.

Thank you all.

US team stresses for int’l aid agency access to Myanmar

US deputy assistant secretary Kelly Clements addresses a press briefing along with Ambassador Dan Mozena at American Centre in Dhaka on Thursday. Photo courtesy by American Embassy

The US State Department delegation, which visited Rakhaine state of Myanmar on Thursday, said a serious insecurity, tension, persecution and displacement of people continued there and stressed for access of international aid agencies in the country.

The delegation strongly recommended for immediate humanitarian assistance and access to international aid organisation to supply emergency relief to the victims.

“Tension is very much in evident and displacement continues. A large number of people continue to displace, so challenge is very much grave there,” said Kelly Clements, US deputy assistant secretary for Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

Two members of the four-member delegation gave their impression at a press conference at American Centre in Dhaka after visiting the worst affected Sittew and Mongdu area following the ethnic violence in the Rakhine state in June.

A four-member high-powered US delegation visited Myanmar on September 7-10 and Bangladesh on 11-13 to assess current conditions and to discuss with government officials how to reduce tensions and improve security, stability and humanitarian situation over long-term.

Kelly and her colleague, who is also deputy assistant secretary for US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Daniel Baer told the press conference that they talked to local leaders and victims in Arakan state as well as Rohingya refugees in two official camps in Cox’s Bazar to get first hand impression of the situation.

Asked whether they feel that the Myanmar government has failed to address the ethnic problem, Kelly said it needs high priority to bring the prevailing tension under control. She said the Myanmar government is aware of it and trying to solve it.

On a question about a long-term solution of problems in the state, she said understanding between communities (Rohingya Muslims and Buddists), reconciliation and reintegration are needed so the communities can go back to their homesteads.

About the Bangladesh government decision banning the operations of the three international NGOs in Cox’s Bazar, Kelly did not reply precisely but said it is very clear that the Rohingya refugees need enormous humanitarian assistance.

She said the US continues its support through UNHCR to address the need of Rohingyas as well as the citizens of Bangladesh in Cox’s Bazar until a long term solution is possible.

When asked whether US wants Bangladesh to receive new Rohingya refugees, US Ambassador Dan Mozena, who also spoke at the press conference, said Bangladesh has long tradition of hospitality and hoped that the government will uphold the tradition in case Rohingyas arrive here fleeing to save their lives.

Source here