Joint Statement on violations of Rule of Laws by NLD Government in Burma: NLD must ensure full protection of Rohingya with their genuine identity as indigenous ethnic people of Arakan

Date: 15 July 2016

Joint Statement on violations of Rule of Laws by NLD Government in Burma:

NLD must ensure full protection of Rohingya with their genuine identity as indigenous ethnic people of Arakan

We, the indigenous ethic Rohingya people of Arakan State, Burma, living in both home and exile are very much disappointed on undemocratic strategies against Rohingya and entire people of Burma as ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) Government is exercising undemocratic rules and regulation; even ignoring international human rights mechanisms and charters.

A Call to End Killing Tragedies, Atrocities, Human Rights Violations in Arakan and to Promote Peace & Stability in the Country

Date:  10 December 2015

Joint Statement on International Human Rights Day 2015

A Call to End Killing Tragedies, Atrocities, Human Rights Violations in Arakan and to Promote Peace & Stability in the Country

We, the undersigned organizations warmly salute the International Human Rights Day 2015. 

But the entire people in Arakan State, Burma, particularly the Rohingya ethnic minorities are highly concerned for their safety and want  to live in peace and harmony in their ancestral homeland.

Since the day of sectarian violence against the ethnic indigenous Rohingya in Burma, there has been a gross violation of human rights where over 140,000 Rohingya now live in the Internally Displaced People's camps (IDP) while thousands of other ethnic minorities live below poverty.

UNHCR in Malaysia told to stop issuing refugee Cards

ALOR STAR, Aug 15, 2015:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia has been urged to stop issuing refugee cards without the consent of the Malaysian government.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the UNHCR should consult the Home Ministry and the Immigration Department before issuing the cards.

“The UNHCR office is doing it wrong by issuing the (refugee) cards without informing the Home Ministry and the Immigration Department.

Parliamentarians call on ASEAN ministers to address root causes of migrant crisis at KL meeting

Press Release: 1 July, 2015

JAKARTA – ASEAN home ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow must take firm action to combat human trafficking, protect vulnerable asylum seekers, and address the root causes of the continuing migrant crisis, including the persecution of Rohingya in Myanmar, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) said today.

Joint Statement by UNHCR, OHCHR, IOM, the SRSG for Migration and Development, and UNODC

Press Releases, 1 July 2015

A comprehensive people-oriented approach to the irregular movement of migrants and refugees in South East Asia

We, the undersigned*, welcome the convening later this week of the Emergency ASEAN Ministerial meeting on Transnational Crime: Irregular Movement of Persons in the South East Asia Region. The meeting provides a timely opportunity to move meaningfully forward on the comprehensive and durable solution called for by the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in Putrajaya on 20 May 2015, in keeping with the spirit of unity and solidarity of a people-oriented and people-centred ASEAN.

Refugee Figuers at a Glance in Malaysia

As of end April 2015, there are some 152,830 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR in Malaysia.  

- 141,920 are from Myanmar, comprising some 49,600 Chins, 45,910 Rohingyas, 12,320 Myanmar Muslims, 7,280 Rakhines & Arakanese, and other ethnicities from Myanmar.

- There are some 10,910 refugees and asylum-seekers from other countries, including some 3,890 Sri Lankans, 1,210 Pakistanis, 1,090 Somalis, 950 Syrians, 830 Iraqis, 540 Iranians, 430 Palestinians, and others from other countries.

Some 69% of refugees and asylum-seekers are men, while 31% are women.

There are some 33,000 children below the age of 18.

Source: here

 

Religious Extremism Looms Over Myanmar

JUNE 17, 2015

Author(s): David Scott Mathieson

Published in: CNN

The impact of Myanmar's repressive policy toward Rohingya Muslims was made clear in recent weeks with scenes of desperate people crammed into boats, an escalation of a miserable maritime flight in which an estimated 90,000 people have fallen prey to smugglers and traffickers since early 2014. The United Nations estimates that around 1,000 people have died on the way.

The root cause is the long-term reprehensible treatment of the Rohingya in Myanmar (also known as Burma) — stateless, officially and socially reviled, with severe curbs on their rights to work, travel, get health care and education, and practice their religion.

UNHCR Contact Information in Malaysia

UNHCR Representative
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
570, Jalan Bukit Petaling
50460 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +603 2118 4800
Fax: +603 2141 1780
Email: mlslu@unhcr.org

For other inquiries:
General queries		UNHCR General Office +603 2118 4800 (between 8.00am to 4.00pm) Email: mlslu@unhcr.org
To report arrests, and queries on detention cases		UNHCR Call Center Hotline +6012 630 5060 (Queries on detention between 8.00am to 4.00pm only)
Queries on Employment of refugees		Livelihoods team +603 2118 4841 Email: mlsluest@unhcr.org
Queries on media and fundraising		External Relations Section Media queries: +603 2118 4812 Fundraising: +603 2118 4986 Email: infomalaysia@unhcr.org
Queries on volunteering		Volunteer coordinator +603 2118 4939 Email: mlsluvol@unhcr.org
Queries on conducting academic research		For queries on conducting academic research, including requesting for interviews or information, please email: mlslu@unhcr.org Kindly include your complete research topic/angle and questions, and accompanied by an attestation from your university. This will be reviewed by the UNHCR Representative.

Queries regarding employment opportunities for Malaysians and internships with UNHCR can be found here, or email mlslu@unhcr.org for further information, or call +603 2118 4800.

Two Rohingya Muslim women indecently assaulted by Police, Burma

Abu Hudhayfah · April 1, 2015

Police along with a tabbe have sexually abused the mother and sister of a Muslim man after failing to apprehend him, according to Burma Times local correspondent.

The incident took place in the volatile village of Kiladong also known as Du Char Yar Taan in Maungdaw South.

In 2014, police made a long list of Kiladong villagers. The list was made in the aftermath of the infamous massacre when a Rakhine mob backed by security forces killed scores of Muslims, especially women and children.

Uncertain future for hundreds of thousands as white cards are revoked

By Guy Dinmore   |   Wednesday, 01 April 2015 

A presidential order revoking temporary identity papers came into effect last night despite widespread criticism by the international community of the government’s move that mostly affects Rohingya Muslims and leaves an estimated 1 million “white card” holders across Myanmar facing an uncertain future.

The revocation of white cards stands to affect thousands of people living in IDP camps in Rakhine State. (Yu Yu/The Myanmar Times)

President U Thein Sein ordered the invalidation of the temporary ID papers on February 11, setting March 31 as the date for their expiry. Holders were given until May 31 to hand in their papers – commonly known as white cards – and undergo a citizen verification process carried out by local authorities to determine their status.

Wirathu - the pit bull of Myanmar regime

By Dr. Habib Sidddiqui

Myanmar's terrorist - Buddhist monk Wirathu is untouchable inside the country. In 2003 he was sentenced to 25 years in prison but was released in 2010 along with other political prisoners. Most keen observers knew the reason as to why this anti-Muslim zealot was freed by the regime. He was to serve as its pit bull and inciter for committing hate crimes and ethnic cleansing drives against the minority Muslims, esp. the Rohingya people that live in the Arakan (Rakhine) state of Myanmar, bordering Bangladesh.

And Wirathu continues to deliver for the regime. He has effectively become the face of Burmese Buddhism. His '969' fascist movement has led to widespread hate crimes and genocidal campaigns against the minority Muslims all across the Buddhist-dominated country, and has brutally rendered more than a million Muslims homeless. Many Burmese Muslims are risking their lives to get out of this den of hatred and intolerance, once called Burma. So frightening is the situation inside Myanmar, esp. the Rakhine state, even the Rohingya refugees that live under horrible conditions in makeshift camps inside Cox's Bazar district of Bangladesh don't want to return to their ancestral land inside the Buddhist country. 

Thai 'confidence' in anti-trafficking record belied by statistics

By Andrew R.C. Marshall

BANGKOK Fri Jan 30, 2015 7:52am EST

 

(Reuters) - Thailand identified fewer victims of human trafficking last year than in 2013 and convicted fewer perpetrators of the crime, according to a government report aimed at lifting the country from a U.S. list of the world's worst offenders.

The U.S. State Department last year downgraded Thailand to the lowest category in its influential annual ranking of countries by their counter-trafficking efforts.

Thai officials facing prosecution over human trafficking

Over a dozen government officials in Thailand are facing prosecution on the charge of human trafficking.

According to Thailand’s junta officials on Friday, senior policemen and a navy officer are among the officials, who are detained and being prosecuted with regard to this issue.

Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said the arrests prove that Thailand’s generals are resolute in their decision to bring to justice officials involved in human trafficking.

Thailand: Armed vigilantes tackle human trafficking of Bangladeshis and Rohingya Muslims

By David Sim | IB Times

 

With his bullet-proof vest, shotgun and sunglasses, Kompat Sompaorat could be mistaken for a member of a SWAT team. He actually belongs to a group of Thai civilians tracking down human traffickers on one of Asia's busiest smuggling routes.

The volunteers – mainly fishermen and other villagers – patrol the estuaries and jungles of Phang Nga province, a popular tourist destination in southern Thailand a short drive from the famous resort island of Phuket.

They are motivated by humanitarian concerns, but also worry that the presence of armed smugglers and impoverished refugees could lead to an increase in crime and scare away tourists.

Malaysia: Traffickers kidnap, torture, hold Rohingya to ransom

By Aubrey Belford

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Malaysia Wed Jan 28, 2015 7:09pm EST

 

(Reuters) - Abul Kassim, a Rohingya asylum seeker, was snatched from his home in the northern Malaysian state of Penang on Jan. 12. The next morning, his beaten and bloodied body was found.

That day, police moved on the 40-year-old's alleged killers. Raiding a house in the neighboring state of Kedah, they rescued 17 Rohingya migrants being held against their will, according to a statement by Penang police.

Eight alleged traffickers from Malaysia, Myanmar and Bangladesh were arrested.

The murder of Abul Kassim casts rare light on what Rohingya activists say is widespread abuse by human traffickers in Malaysia, who are willing to use extreme methods to protect their lucrative but illegal business.

Press Release: Redress the Rights of Refugees in Malaysia

Date: November 12, 2014

On behalf of the entire Rohingya people both in home and exile, we at the Rohingya Arakanese Refugee Committee (RARC), Malaysia warmly salutes the proactive plan and welcome the recent decision to issue cards for the registered refugees of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia.

We express our sincere gratitude towards His Excellency Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamid, the Honorable Minister for Home Affairs of Malaysia for taking initiatives towards the betterment of Burmese refugees in Malaysia.

We also appreciate the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), particularly His Excellency Dr. Volker Turk, the Director of the International Protection in Geneva who managed to come through for having this proactive decision.

Parliament to press Malaysia on unsolved killings

By Pyae Thet Phyo  

U Khin Aung Myint said he would send the letter after receiving a report from the Amyotha Hluttaw. The Human Rights Committee will compile a report on those who have been killed, as well as the apparent attempt to assassinate two prominent Rakhine MPs in February.

The committee should seek the help of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and other government departments to compile the report, he said.

U Khin Aung Myint made the comment in response to a question from U Khing Maung Latt, the Amyotha Hluttaw representative for constituency 6 in Rakhine State, who asked how the government was responding to attacks on Myanmar nationals in Malaysia.

Rakhine residents ready to protest the return of MSF

Residents of Rakhine State’s capital, Sittwe, will protest against any attempt by Medicins Sans Frontieres-Holland (MSF) to return to the state, they said, following an announcement by the government that it had signed an agreement with the non-governmental organisation allowing it to resume its medical programmes in Rakhine.

“Although the government is allowing MSF to resume operations, local people will not accept them,” said Soe Naing from Sittwe Township. He added that city residents had released a statement on August 25 saying they “absolutely rejected” any attempt by MSF to resume its work in the state.
 

UN Calls for More Aid to Rohingya Camps

FILE - Internally displaced Rohingya people take shelter in a building ahead of the arrival of Cyclone Mahasen, in Sittwe, northwestern Rakhine State, Myanmar, May 15, 2013. 

Ron Corben

September 12, 2014 10:49 AM

BANGKOK— This week U.N. officials visited Myanmar, also known as Burma, where they met with displaced Muslim Rohingya living in camps in western Rakine state, where the world deliberative body has raised concerns over poor living conditions and lack of health care.
According to experts, there remains an urgent need for health services and humanitarian assistance despite recent progress.
U.N. Development Program Asia Pacific director Haoliang Xu, during a two-day official visit to western Rakhine state, said there is a need for more humanitarian and medical assistance in displacement camps where up to 140,000 people, mostly Muslim Rohingya, are still housed.
"The most pressing need is health services it seems to me. The basic services are provided although the camp is quite crowded in the low lying area - and the most urgent need is medical services," Xu said. "The long term solution is to get these people out of the camps - that's why we want to support a multipronged approach to this issue."

Campaign Seeks to Ease Abuse of Rohingya and Lift Charges Against Reporters

PHUKET: Australians are being urged to ask the Thai Government to investigate claims of human trafficking of Rohingya boatpeople and to lift criminal defamation charges against Phuketwan journalists Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian.

Anyone with an interest in either of these issues could follow the lead of the Justice and International Mission of the Uniting Church in Australia, which recently published this advice:

IN BURMA in October 2012, ''ethnic cleansing'' and crimes against humanity were committed by security forces against the Rohingya ethnic group, resulting in the murders of hundreds of Rohingya and causing more than 100,000 of them to fled the country while leaving another 140,000 displaced and living in dire conditions.