North of Phuket, Rohingya Tell of Killings, Beatings on Nightmare Voyage from Burma/ 12 ROHINGYAS WERE SHOT DEAD BY BURMA ARMY !!!

    12 ROHINGYAS WERE SHOT DEAD BY BURMA ARMY !!!

What will be the fate of the Rohingya group of 139, discovered by residents in a rubber plantation north of Phuket last night, were recovering today after a harrowing 22-day voyage south to Thailand with little food and water? According to the members of the group ,12 Rohingyas were already shot death by the Burma navy on their way to here. Are these Rohingya group sending to Ranong for selling to traffickers again ? Where are the UNHCR and all Human Rights related NGOs to guard and protect them ? Is this not international duty to protect the genocide escapee Rohinyas ?Are these Rohingya not deserve to be refugees as per international law ? Who are benefited from human trafficking ?We are sure if these unfortunate Rohingya were sent to Ranong ,the traffickers can  make minimum 2000 USD per head x 139 =2,78,000 US Dollars in total within a short time. This is many times more profitable money making than drug business. Some hundreds millions dollars already made this month by selling more than ten thousands Rohingyas . I am strongly asking to find out who are behind this fearful human trafficking business. In the main time , Rohingyas are faced discrimination at the hands of traffickers  .We learned that some greedy Rohingyas of Malaysia and Thailands are partly running trafficking by the help of local muscle men along side of Malaysia and Thailand boarder.This is my ardent request to news medias and government officials not to use any Rohingya from Thailand as interpreters or helpers because most of the cases these kinds of people can be easily prey in trafficking. The authority must stop Rohingya from Thailand reaching to the newly arrival boat people. Some of them are also pretended to be political , social  and religious leader of Rohingyas. Please don't allow any Rohingya and Burmese near to the Rohingya boat people . The best solution is Thai authority , UNHCR ,Reporters and IOM to handle the issue without outsider involvement . No visitors please !The interpreters can be arranged by UNHCR . It is very important to protect the Rohingyas in their native places to stop boat people. Thanks again to to the Phuketwan for high lighting this precious news.  Good luck to Alan and Chutima!

Rohingya boatpeople say they were beaten by Andaman Sea smugglers

Photo by phuketwan.com

Photo by phuketwan.com

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North of Phuket, Rohingya Tell of Killings, Beatings on Nightmare Voyage from Burma

By Alan Morison and Premkamon Ketsara

Thursday, December 26, 2013

PHOTO ALBUM Twelve people were killed on a voyage from Burma by Rohingya men, women and children, say 139 survivors whose future in Thailand was not clear today. More »

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PhuketWATCH Better World is Pope's Wish; Bangkok Besieged; Phuket Navy Muzzling Media

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PhuketWATCH Better World is Pope's Wish; Bangkok Besieged; Phuket Navy Muzzling Media

By Phuketwan Reporters

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Phuket News Digest More protests set for Thailand capital; Pope and Snowden give Christmas messages; Phuket journalists win worldwide support; Rohingya mistreated; Phuket events. More READ HERE BY CLICKING "MORE"

Australian editor Alan Morison facing five years in Thai jail

Date ,December 26, 2013

Alana Schetzer

Charged: Alan Morison will face a Thai court next month. Photo: Supplied

An Australian journalist could face up to five years in jail after he was charged on Christmas Eve with bringing the reputation of Thailand's navy into disrepute.

Alan Morison's online newspaper Phuketwan published a story five months ago that included a paragraph from a Reuters article that was critical of Thai authorities' handling of the Rohingya asylum seekers from Myanmar.

Both he and his colleague Chutima Sidasathian were facing up to five years in jail and a fine of up to $3500 after they were charged with breaching the country's controversial Computer Crimes Act and bringing the navy's reputation into disrepute.
The pair were expected to face a Thai courtroom next month.

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Mr Morison is a former deputy editor of The Age.
He said it was the first time the military had used the little-used act against the media.
''The Thai navy has a very good reputation for rescuing tourists and generally looking after Thailand's borders pretty well, but the question of whether the Rohingya boat people are being handled in the way they should be … has been looked at pretty closely by the international media,'' he said.

A Reuters spokesperson backed the story, calling it ''fair and balanced''.
Critics of the Thai government accused it of using the Computer Crimes Act to curtail human rights and free-speech campaigners.
The Department of Foreign Affairs was aware of the case and said embassy officials in Bangkok were providing consular assistance to Mr Morison.

The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance was concerned about the journalist's plight and what the charges could mean for press freedom in the country.
 ''The MEAA expresses its deep concern for the journalists involved in this allegation and calls on Thai authorities to drop any charges against them,'' MEAA federal secretary Christopher Warren said.

Human rights activists, lawyers and academics across the world had also voiced their support for the pair.

If the navy did not drop the charges, Mr Morison said a protest rally would be organised outside the Thai consulate in Melbourne to coincide with his court appearance.

The Rohingya people, who are Muslims, have been forced to leave their homeland after being persecuted by the country's Buddhist majority in mob rampages.
Hundreds of thousands have sought asylum in Malaysia, Bangladesh and Thailand.
The Royal Thai Navy could not be reached for comment

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/australian-editor-alan-morison-facing-five-years-in-thai-jail-20131225-2zwo7.html#ixzz2oWezKn77

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/australian-editor-alan-morison-facing-five-years-in-thai-jail-20131225-2zwo7.html

credid-National

Phuket Governor Asked to Advise Navy to Drop Criminal Defamation Action

We would like to ask both Puhketwan Editors and Royal Thai Navy to present statement regarding trafficking scandal of Rohingyas and news media services in this regards. The public should have full rights to access the present development. As an Rohingya activist ,I would like to see heavy punishment of traffickers and protecting the Rohingyas in their own country. I have been very upset since Puketwan editors are facing human law suit.Every freedom loving people should voice out for freedom of press and guarding dignity of journalists.
Comment of Maung Kyaw Nu ,
BRAT.

Journalist Chutima Sidasathian with Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud

Photo by phuketwan.com

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Phuket Governor Asked to Advise Navy to Drop Criminal Defamation Action

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

PHOTO ALBUM Phuket's Governor has been asked as chairman of the Internal Security Operations Command committee on Phuket to suggest that the Royal Thai Navy drops a criminal defamation action. More »
PLS read here ---http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-governor-asked-advise-navy-drop-criminal-defamation-action-19449/

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People without a Country

Authint Mail |

23 December 2013 - 11:26AM GMT |

Reportage

A Rohingya child at Kiryana Talaab camp in Jammu waiting for his father and mother to return home.

Wasif Ali

The long journey to Jammu city began in 2003 for Haroon Rashid when he had just married a neighborhood girl in his Alegan village of Burma. For the persecuted Rohingya Muslims living in the largely military controlled State, it is mandatory to keep the authorities informed about every development in their life, even if a pregnant cow delivers.
Haroon, a medium-built man with a round face and dark complexion, was busy in making pre-marital arrangements and somehow forgot to inform the authorities or police about his marriage 
“It was a big mistake,” he says.
On the eight day of marriage, a contingent of armed police personnel looking for Haroon surrounded Alegan village. When he came out of his house, two police personnel dragged him to a nearby police vehicle and put him in a jail. 
“I spent six months in jail where I was subjected to all kinds of humiliation and torture. I had to pay Rs 1 lakh so that they could set me free,” Haroon says in a muffled voice.
After purchasing his freedom, Haroon chalked out a strategy to escape the persecution by Army in their own country. On the second day of his release, around 60 other Rohingya Muslims from twelve families - all victim of state excesses -

Please read full story -pages 1 to 6 here --
http://www.authintmail.com/article/reportage/people-without-country

PLAY OF THE DAY/PHUKETWAN'S READER FORUM: Have Your Say

Posted by Maung Kyaw Nu,President,Burmese Rohingya Association in
Thailand (BRAT) on December 25, 2013 02:2

PLAY OF THE DAY

PHUKETWAN would like to wish all readers and supporters a cheerful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Despite what the doomsayers said, 2013 was a year in which Phuket conquered some of its problems and focused on the ones yet to be fixed.

PHUKETWAN'S READER FORUM: Have Your Say

Re: Phuket Defamation Case: Reporters Set for Court or Jail Next Month
Maung Kyaw Nu,President,Burmese Rohingya Association in Thailand (BRAT) wrote on Wednesday December 25, 2013 at 02:23

We are very much disturbed of this inhuman case against reputable two journalists of Phuketwan. This case is against ...

View complete comment

Re: Phuket Defamation Case: Reporters Set for Court or Jail Next Month
Mr Man wrote on Wednesday December 25, 2013 at 10:30

Glad to see they are also taking Reuters on. BIG mistake. These ill-advised officials are about to see just how littl...

View complete comment

Re: Phuket Defamation Case: Reporters Set for Court or Jail Next Month
reader wrote on Wednesday December 25, 2013 at 09:47

If the Thai authorities do this, then there will be serious international repucussions. Thailand does not want to go ...

View complete comment

Re: Phuket Defamation Case: Reporters Set for Court or Jail Next Month
Ciaran wrote on Wednesday December 25, 2013 at 09:25

Love the cartoons - fantastic. Merry Christmas to Phuketwan and keep up the good fight.

View complete comment

Re: Phuket Defamation Case: Reporters Set for Court or Jail Next Month
Sean wrote on Wednesday December 25, 2013 at 00:23

I love the cartoon! Also the ones on the site linked!

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Re: Phuket Defamation Case: Reporters Set for Court or Jail Next Month
Phil wrote on Tuesday December 24, 2013 at 23:44

So glad to hear you won't be in prison for Christmas. Wishing you all the best of luck for the court hearing.

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Re: Phuket Taxi Drivers Blockade Resort 'Often' in Voucher Wrangle

PLEASE READ HERE -http://phuketwan.com

Phuket Defamation Case: Reporters Set for Court or Jail Next Month

We are very much disturbed of this inhuman case against reputable two journalists of Phuketwan. This case is against humanity and freedom of expression .Since June 2013 ,Rohingya have been subjected hidden genocide in their own land in Burma. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas were killed ,burned alive and buried alive in the mass graves but due to lack of freedom of press in Burma ,the real massacre news was not come out to the world. Burma is known as dark country where every freedom were stolen by the dictatorial regime. But ,we are enjoying freedom of press out side the Burma. Now we are very upset of resent disturbance of press freedom in Thailand due to defamation case against the journalists. It needs to be settled before going to court hearing. We thank to all journalists including Phuketwan who are continue highlighting news about fearful trafficking and plights of Rohingyas.This is the ethic of journalism . We can not read any news of Rohingyas boat people in this week due to this trouble. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.
Comment by Maung Kyaw Nu,
BRAT.

Phuket Defamation Case: Reporters Set for Court or Jail Next Month

Latest Two Phuket journalists will probably have to decide next month whether to apply for bail or go straight to jail next month in a contentious defamation action by the Royal Thai Navy.
Please read here-http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-defamation-case-reporters-court-jail-month-19446/

UPDATE Phuket Defamation Case: Reporters Offered Chance to Speak About Democratic Law Reforms/FREEDOM OF PRESS IS DEMOCRACY !KEEP RESPECT THE JOURNALISTS!

FREEDOM OF PRESS IS DEMOCRACY !KEEP RESPECT THE JOURNALISTS!

The defamation case against two respectable journalists damages Thailand's image in the world. It will be better if the caretaker government timely intervenes and withdraws the case.The blind eying of random trafficking of Rohingya is condemned.Traffickers must be traced out and booked for trail. The freedom of the press must be ensured .

Posted by Maung Kyaw Nu,President,Burmese Rohingya Association in Thailand (BRAT) on December 24, 2013 02:54

UPDATE Phuket Defamation Case: Reporters Offered Chance to Speak About Democratic Law Reforms

Latest If prosecuted by the Royal Thai navy, two Phuket journalists aim to speak to reform groups in Bangkok about why the laws should be changed to prevent the military suing the media.
Please read here --http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-defamation-case-reporters-offered-chance-speak-democratic-law-reforms-19436/

Phuket Defamation Case: Journalists Mystified By Navy Stance/FREEDOM OF PRESS AND SAFEGUARD OF JOURNALIST MUST BE RESPECTED!

FREEDOM OF PRESS AND SAFEGUARD OF JOURNALIST MUST BE RESPECTED!

We ardently request to all journalists and civil societies worldwide to stand by Morison and Chutima  to be dropped  from defamation case filed by Royal Thai navy.We would also like to ask help form  respectable journalists and civil societies of the world ,to continue voice out humanitarian crisis of Rohingya boat people and genocide and ethnic cleansing in their homeland. We do hope that hidden human trafficking along the side of Thailand and Malaysia borders and continue genocide against Rohingya in Arakan is an international concern  .We wish everybody's help !

Comment of Maung Kyaw Nu,BRAT.

Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian: ''past the stage of being scared''

Photo by phuketwan.com

TOURISM

Phuket Defamation Case: Journalists Mystified By Navy Stance

By Justin Heifetz, Bangkok Post

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Latest A criminal defamation action on behalf of the Royal Thai Navy is likely to focus unwanted attention on the navy and the treatment of Rohingya boatpeople in Thailand. More »
Please read here---
http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-defamation-case-journalists-mystified-navy-stance-19433/

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Phuket Defamation Case: Call for Navy to Investigate Allegations of Abuse/CPJ DEFENDING FOR PW JOURNALISTS ARE EXCELLENT !

     CPJ DEFENDING FOR PW JOURNALISTS ARE EXCELLENT !

We absolutely endorsed constantly reporting of Rohingya victims, one of the most oppressed communities in the world,by PW Editors Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian. The Rohingyas are under hidden genocide  by their own government for decades . Due to that reason ,many Rohingyas voyaged for neighboring countries  including Thailand. Here they are maltreated and fall at the trap of notorious human traffickers. They have been faced deathly treatment at the concentration camps of traffickers for months. The Phuketwan bravely opened inhuman treatment of Rohingya boat people to the world. Is that a crime ???I would also like to thanks to all media freedom loving people including The Committee to Protect Journalists ,CPJ  stance for justice of PW journalists.

Commented by Maung Kyaw Nu,BRAT.

Photo by phuketwan.com

TOURISM

Phuket Defamation Case: Call for Navy to Investigate Allegations of Abuse

By Committee to Protect Journalists

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Latest A New York-based organisation that seeks to protect journalists has called on the Royal Thai Navy to investigate serious allegations of abuse. More

Please read here--
http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-defamation-case-call-navy-investigate-allegations-abuse-19428/

Navy Captain Uses Computer Crimes Act to Sue Journalists for Criminal Defamation

Two Phuketwan journalists are facing jail from December 24

Photo by phuketwan.com

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

PHUKET: A captain acting on behalf of the Royal Thai Navy has accused two Phuketwan journalists of damaging the reputation of the service and of breaching the Computer Crimes Act.

Two other journalists from the Reuters news agency are expected to face similar charges shortly.

The Phuketwan journalists, Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian, denied the charges and were fingerprinted when they presented themselves today at Vichit Police Station, south of Phuket City.

They are due to reappear on December 24. The pair face a maximum jail term of five years and/or a fine of up to 100,000, baht

It's believed to be the first time an arm of the military in Thailand has sued journalists for criminal defamation using the controversial Computer Crimes Act.

The accusations come from Captain Panlob Komtonlok of Royal Thai Navy 3, which oversees the Andaman Sea coast, and they centre on a paragraph in a report by Reuters on July 17 that was in part republished in Phuketwan later the same day.

In response to presentation of the charges today, Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian issued the following statement:

PHUKETWAN is a small news outlet based on Phuket with a very small staff. Our main aim is to end corruption and make Thailand a better place for residents and visitors.

The Royal Thai Navy, according to Wikipedia, has more than 70,000 active personnel. One of the Navy's aims, we believe, is also to make Thailand a better place.

Despite the difference in size, relations between the two organisations have always been cordial since Phuketwan was launched in 2008.

Both organisations have a deep interest in Rohingya boatpeople from Burma (Myanmar). The Navy apprehends the boatpeople or ''helps on'' boats towards Malaysia. Phuketwan reports what happens to these people.

Ironically, it was Navy Vice Admiral Supot Pruksa who first introduced Phuketwan journalists to the word ''Rohingya'' during an interview at the Navy Base on Phuket in October, 2008.

Just a few weeks later, the Royal Thai Navy supplied Phuketwan with photographs of boatpeople being apprehended, and laid out in neat rows on Andaman beaches.

And it was a Royal Thai Navy spokesman who first suggested in December 2008 that the United Nations should be involved in the process of dealing with the increasing numbers of boatpeople fleeing Burma.

'Human Rights Tragedy on Phuket's Doorstep,' that article began. ''LARGE numbers of Rohingya have been sailing 'like sardines in a can' to the Andaman coast of Thailand this month, seeking refuge from starvation and persecution.''

Phuketwan took the hint from the Royal Thai Navy and began seriously investigating what was happening to Rohingya boatpeople off the coast of Thailand.

We discovered that Thailand's military was involved in inhumane pushbacks. When other news organisations accused the Navy of being involved, Phuketwan's journalists defended the Navy.

We said it was not the Navy but another branch of the military. Since then, we have continued to closely report what has been happening to the Rohingya boatpeople.

We are shocked to learn now that the Navy is using a controversial law to sue Phuketwan for criminal defamation.

The allegations in the article are not made by Phuketwan. They are made by the highly-respected Reuters news agency, following a thorough investigation.

The article specified in the document is headlined 'Thai Military Profiting From Trade in Boatpeople, Says Special Report.'

It is likely that the Reuters account was published in scores of newspapers all around the world. The mystery is why the Navy has chosen to sue Phuketwan journalists over these allegations.

It should be noted that Phuketwan continues to admire and support the Royal Thai Navy in several ways.

We applaud the Navy in rescuing hundreds of tourists, stranded offshore from Phuket and the Andaman coast in violent storms. At such times, they will always be heroes.

We also support the Navy's program of protecting and preserving the Andaman region's turtles. We seldom miss the annual hatchling release at the Navy's Cape Panwa base on Phuket.

Phuketwan has even suggested that Navy officers should be put in charge of all of Phuket's beaches so that they can protect the natural environment and at the same time impress tourists with their grace and charm.

It should be noted that Phuketwan has won international awards for upholding human rights and for its investigative reporting of the Rohingya issues.

The Rohingya have no spokesperson, no leader, but through Phuketwan's ongoing coverage, the torment of these people continues to be revealed.

Their forced exodus from Burma is a great tragedy. Yet how they are treated in the seas off Thailand and in Thailand remains a constant puzzle.

We wish the Royal Thai Navy would clear its reputation by explaining precisely what is happening to the Rohingya in the Andaman Sea and in Thailand.

By instead using a controversial law against us, the Navy is, we believe, acting out of character.

We can only wonder why a good organisation finds it necessary to take such unusual action instead of making a telephone call or holding a media conference.

Phuket Writer: Sandy Beaches, Freedom and Fear/PLEASE PRAY FOR NOBLE JOURNALISTS!

PLEASE PRAY FOR  NOBLE JOURNALISTS!

As a representative of International Advocacy Group of Rohingya Community and Human Rights Defender ,I applaud PW editors Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian to voice out  Rohingya boat people's untold suffering before the world. I respect your courage and  journalist ethic to characteristically highlighting Rohingya,one of the most persecuted ethnic minorities in the world,boat people's various types of tragedies after landing in Thailand. We are also disturbed of learning defamation case against you due to presenting the real facts of our community faces in Thailand.  We do believe that you will win the case .Our Rohingya community is praying for you.Truth will prevail! May God bless you!ng

Maung Kyaw Nu,

Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian: Free on December 24, 2011

Photo by Lana Willocks

Phuket Writer: Sandy Beaches, Freedom and Fear

By Lana Willocks

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Latest The beautiful Phuket that visitors see is not the whole Phuket. Phuketwan journalists constantly check on the other side, where tourists seldom venture. More »
pls read here -http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-writer-sandy-beaches-freedom-fear-19415/

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Thailand] Drop defamation, computer crimes charges against Phuket journalists

By seapa

:
• Alerts, Campaigns, Media Law
• December 19, 2013

Two journalists based in Phuket, Thailand were charged yesterday under the country’s controversial Computer Crimes Act for relaying a report implicating the Thai Navy in human trafficking.

Journalists Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian of online the tourism news site Phuketwan appeared before a Phuket police station to be fingerprinted after receiving summonses for an online article published on 17 July titled, “Thai Military Profiting from Trade in Boatpeople, Says Special Report.”

The article quoted extensively from a Reuters article titled, “Special Report: Thai authorities implicated in Rohingya Muslim smuggling network”.
The article describes the role of security authorities – not just Thai and not just the Navy – who profit from the exodus of Rohingya from Rakhine state in eastern Myanmar, to escape persecution and violence.

Captain Panlob Komtonlok of Royal Thai Navy 3, which has jurisdiction over the Andaman coast, filed the criminal charges under section 14 Thailand’s controversial Computer Crimes Act of 2007 and for damaging the reputation of the service.
Morison and Chutima are scheduled to appear before the court on 24 December for indictment. If found guilty they could face a jail term of up to five years and a 100,000 baht (approximately USD 3,300) fine.

SEAPA condemns this unjustified action, which is a form of intimidation against members of the media who publish critical stories against state authorities.
If the Thai Navy wants to disprove its tolerance of the acts of its personnel described in the article, a better approach would have been to conduct or allow an impartial official investigation into the matter of complicity on the crime of human trafficking against Rohingya refugees.

Targeting a small online news outlet for publishing what is essentially a humanitarian story reflects a bully’s strategy to silence critics, sending a strong warning that anyone who expresses something they disapprove of will be prosecuted. The Navy is thus using its authority for the wrong purpose of silencing critics instead of for upholding accountability of the conduct its forces and its overall duty to respect human rights.
Their action also reinforces the criticism against the Computer Crimes Act of 2007, which makes online users liable for content originally published by others. While it is not clear at this point whether similar charges will be filed against Reuters or their reporters, we wish to reiterate that such an approach is flawed.

SEAPA also reiterates the media and human rights community’s long-standing call to decriminalize defamation, in order to better uphold the right to freedom of opinion expression and press freedom.

worldview : Ethnic Violence in Myanmar / Urgent need to act

Editorial»worldview : Ethnic Violence in Myanmar

• Urgent need to act
• The New York Times

DEC 16 - Anti-Muslim sentiment in Myanmar is threatening to derail the significant progress the country has made toward democracy since the military junta formally stepped down in 2011. In June and in October 2012, rampages in Rakhine State against Rohingyas, a minority Muslim group, left scores dead. A far smaller number of Buddhists have also been victims of lethal violence. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims have fled Myanmar, a Buddhist-majority nation. Most sought asylum in Bangladesh and Malaysia. Recently, thousands have taken refuge in or been forcibly displaced to camps within Myanmar.

A group of radical Buddhist monks known as 969 and their de facto leader Ashin Wirathu are to blame for fanning the flames of anti-Muslim hysteria. But the government of Myanmar is also culpable: Despite a stated commitment to safeguarding human rights and promoting democracy and the rule of law, the government has taken no real action to address the violence or stem hate speech. In May, a law was revived limiting Rohingyas to two children, a direct violation of their basic human rights.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who is expected to run for election in Myanmar’s 2015 presidential elections, has been tragically silent. She rejects Human Rights Watch’s charge that the plight of the Rohingyas amounts to ethnic cleansing.

The United Nations passed a resolution on Nov. 21 calling on Myanmar to grant Rohingyas citizenship—denied them under a 1982 law. The government of Myanmar has rejected the resolution.

President Thein Sein needs to act urgently to investigate human rights abuses against Rohingyas, hold perpetrators to account, allow humanitarian groups access to camps and protect basic human rights, including the right to citizenship for people who have called Myanmar home for generations.
Posted on: 2013-12-17

US blacklists Myanmar firms for NKorea arms trade

Dec 17, 12:52 PM EST By MATTHEW PENNINGTON Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States imposed sanctions Tuesday on a Myanmar military officer and three companies it accuses of involvement in the continuing, illicit arms trade with North Korea. The designations do not directly target Myanmar's government but will deepen doubts over the nation's compliance with U.N. Security Council resolutions. Cutting Myanmar's military ties with North Korea has been a key goal of the U.S. policy to end Myanmar's long international isolation after its democratic reforms. In response to the reforms in the country also known as Burma, Washington has eased its longstanding restrictions on trade and investment, although not on export of arms. In a sign of enduring U.S. concerns, Treasury has periodically expanded the blacklist of individuals and companies it considers to be bad actors. As of Tuesday, they include Lt. Col. Kyaw Nyunt Oo, said to act on behalf of the Burmese Directorate of Defense Industries, or DDI, which is already sanctioned. Its chief, a general, was blacklisted in July. Treasury also targeted Soe Min Htike Co. Ltd. and Excellence Mineral, describing them in Tuesday's statement as Myanmar companies working with North Korean officials to import materiel for military weapons programs as recently this June; and Asia Metal, said to have constructed buildings and supplied construction materials for a DDI factory compound where approximately 30 North Koreans were still working as of December 2012. Myanmar's government has said its arms trade with North Korea has stopped and it complies with the U.N. sanctions which are intended to deny Pyongyang revenue for expanding nuclear and ballistic missile programs. U.S. officials say Myanmar has curtailed the trade, but not ended it. "The revenues from these continuing military sales directly support North Korea's illicit activities," Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen said in a statement. "We will continue to target this activity in Burma, and the region, as we work with our international partners to shut down North Korea's dangerous and destabilizing weapons proliferation." Designation of a company or individual on the Treasury list prohibits U.S. persons from transactions with them, and freezes any assets they may have subject to U.S. jurisdiction. The military cooperation with North Korea was forged during Myanmar's international isolation. The State Department has said that in late 2008, when Myanmar officers visited Pyongyang, they signed a memorandum of understanding with North Korea on assistance to build medium range, liquid-fueled ballistic missiles. © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Indonesia Should Play Leading Role in Solving Rohingya Problem: Expert

Sun, December 15 2013 18:38 | 477 Views

Related News

by Fardah

Singapore (Antara News) - Indonesia should play a leading role in solving the problem of Myanmars Rohingya minority by integrating the Jakarta Declaration and Bali Process, said Rafendi Djamin, Indonesias Representative to ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.

"The humanitarian situation, including the stateless status of Rohingya, must be addressed, and their basic human rights must be protected. They must be able to meet their medical needs and have opportunities to work, for instance," Djamin told ASEAN journalists, during a workshop on Reporting on Regional Integration and ASEAN, here on Saturday.

Indonesia, as a co-chair of the Bali Process, together with Australia, has the capability to help solve the Rohingya problem, he said.

Besides, being the most democratic nation and most economically advanced, Indonesia has the responsibility to promote human rights protection in ASEAN, he said.

The escalation of violence against the Rohigya minority in Myanmar is dangerous because if it is not stopped, it could lead to genocide, he stated.

Meanwhile, the Rohingaya issue should receive more coverage by the media because it is not just a problem of Myanmar, but the problem of ASEAN as it has affected Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, among other nations, said Bunn Nagara, a veteran journalist from Malaysia, speaking at the workshop.
Many issues brought before ASEAN have made progress, except for the Rohingya problem, he added.

The two-day workshop was organized by the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC), EU Centre in Singapore and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).

Some 20 journalists from ten ASEAN member countries - Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Lao, Myanmar and Singapore - attended the workshop.

ASEAN was established with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration or Bangkok Declaration in Bangkok on August 8, 1967 by the

Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Adam Malik (Indonesia), Tun Abdul

Razak bin Hussein (Malaysia), Narciso Ramos (Philippines), S.

Rajaratnam (Singapore) and Thanat Khoman (Thailand) . (*)
(f001/INE/B003)

Editor: Fardah

Boatpeople Passing Through Secret Thai Camps in Record Numbers: No Reaction So Far to UN, US Investigation Plea

        UNHCR IS VERY WEAK AND SLOW IN THIALAD.20,OOO ROHINGYAS ARE AT TRAFFICKERS HANDS NOW! RAPING ,DING ,BEATING ,SELLING TO TO TRAWLERS IS DAILY !

According to our report from ground ,the figure is more . Around 20000  thousands Rohingya escaped from genocide by boat/ship within November to now . We have got around the clock news from South to North Arakan. From North Arakan ,most of the small boat people are transferred into  big ship from Thailand in the middle of the sea. The brokers arrange the big ship where 500-700 persons can be loaded.They are mostly safe and arrive safely at Thai coast. The Rohingyas from South Arakan have no connection with Thai Ship so they use very small fishing boats to voyage to Thailand . Most of the boats are not reachd to Thai cost whether drowned or  voyage to other direction due to  bad weather or lack of fuel.This kinds of boat people are hardly documented. The Burmese authority indirectly pushing the Rohingya to leave the country.On the other side, traffickers  are very desperate due to the political unrest in Thailand.They are well organized and conducting trafficking . The misery of boat people are very dire at the concentration camp of traffickers in the south Thailand. The death news and missing news are always heard. Some of them are believed to be sold to deathly fishing trawlers. The UNHCR is very weak and slow to take action in this regards in Thailand. We don't know yet how many Rohingyas are in the IDCs and police custody in Thailand now. There were more than 2000 Rohingya detainees in Thai custody some months ago. We would like to know details of them . If civil society and UN are ignoring our call for urgent solution of trafficking cases and protect the Rohingya from genocide ,the influx of Rohingya and death tools will be more higher in this sailing seasons. Therefore ,we are ardently asking to tackle the Rohingya case internationally.We don't know where to proceed to ask help in this critical times. We have went to US and UK Embassies asked their good office to keep contact to the Secretary General of United Nations for international protection.The only option to stop Rohingya tragedy is sending UN Forces to Rohingya area for protection and tracing out human traffickers .The civil society of Thailand should come forwards in this regards.

Commented by Maung Kyaw Nu at Phuket wan news.

Boatpeople Passing Through Secret Thai Camps in Record Numbers: No Reaction So Far to UN, US Investigation Plea

By Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison

Friday, December 13, 2013

Latest Record numbers of Rohingya boatpeople are taking to the Andaman Sea and most are believed to be being processed through secret camps hidden in the jungles of Thailand. PLS read here -click more More »

credit  :Phuketwan. 

Organization of Islamic Conference Ihsanoglu highlights major achievements as OIC secretary general

Organization of Islamic Conference

Ihsanoglu highlights major achievements as OIC secretary general

Tuesday, 10 December 2013 18:59

Conakry, Guinea, Tuesday, 07 Safar 1434/ 10 December 2013 (IINA) – In his last speech as secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu gave an account of the major achievements and initiatives undertaken during his tenure at the opening of the 40th session of the foreign ministers from the OIC members states in Conakry, capital of Guinea on Monday. 

The secretary general presented the progress made in addressing Islamophobia, promoting economic cooperation, advancing science and technology and developing education and health in the member states. Ihsanoglu summed up some of the OIC’s achievements during his tenure as the following: Consensual passage of UN Human Rights Council resolution 16/18 on combating religious intolerance, adoption of the OIC Water Vision, establishment of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission, the Women Development Organization, and specialized department on humanitarian activities. He said a draft statute of the Islamic Organization for Food Security is up for approval at the Conakry session and the Islamic States Broadcasting Regulatory Authorities Forum (IBRAF) and the OIC Media Forum (OMF) have submitted their applications for OIC Affiliate memberships.

“I can say with full confidence that your organization has developed and matured into a reputable organization and has so far passed successfully through myriad challenges. During this period of nine years, the OIC has waded its way into the 21^st century in a much better standing. It is now playing a much more important role in the political, economic, cultural and social fields to forge Islamic solidarity,” Ihsanoglu said. 

After thanking the people and leadership of Guinea for hosting the 40th session in Conakry and thanking Djibouti, the chair of the previous session, Ihsanoglu highlighted the outstanding progress made in implementing the Ten-Year Program of Action adopted in Makkah in 2005 while acknowledging with profound gratitude the support and interest he was awarded by the member states towards reaching these goals. “We have witnessed a clear demonstration of greater political will by the member states to engage more actively and concretely in the activities and programs of the OIC which has witnessed a remarkable growth and expansion during this period. We are here to build on the important achievements of the previous CFM,” he said. He urged the member states to continue their support to the activities and programs of the OIC.
Pointing to the main achievements, at the international level, OIC’s process of reform and global political engagement led powers of the international community to establish or upgrade their relations with the OIC as a sign of their interest in engaging and cooperating with the organization on a number of fronts, he said. The convening by the UN Security Council on 28 October 2013 of an unprecedented special high-level session on the cooperation between the OIC and UN is a clear testimony of the unique standing the OIC has embraced.
As for the cause of Palestine, the raison d’être of the OIC, it has witnessed important developments in recent times. International unanimity on recognizing the State of Palestine as member of the UN General Assembly on 29 November 2012 was a major achievement that needs to be built on in order to secure more support to the Palestinian people and their legitimate national rights, stressed Ihsanoglu.
To examine the grave situation of Jerusalem and Al Aqsa Mosque and consider possible actions to counter Israeli violations, he invited the member states to participate actively in the proceedings of the special session to be held during the current session with a view to elaborating a program of action, including practical measures, that would put an end to continued Israeli violations in Jerusalem. As a matter of urgency, he reiterated his call on all member states, institutions and funds to take the initiative and provide the financing required to implement the strategic plan for the development of vital sectors in Jerusalem as a means to unite our efforts and focus our interventions in a way commensurate with challenges the holy city is facing.

He spoke about his recent visit to Palestine in August 2013 and his personal observation of the impending Judaization risk at Jerusalem and the stifling conditions on the ground suffered by the people under Israeli occupation. Another important trip he undertook recently is to Myanmar, heading an OIC ministerial Contact Group delegation in November. Throughout the meetings with officials, civil society groups and Rakhine community members he expressed OIC’s wish to open channels of communication and dialogue with Myanmar as well as its readiness to contribute to the humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance to all affected people and communities without any discrimination. He also stressed the need to clarify the misperception and misunderstanding on both sides in order to build trust. At the conclusion of the visit a Joint Communiqué was issued with the Government of Myanmar, which outlined the framework of their joint cooperation. “Through constructive diplomacy, consistent pressure and international engagement a historic breakthrough was achieved in OIC relations with Myanmar.”

Following the visit, Ihsanoglu wrote a letter to the President thanking him for his hospitality and proposing three projects: a technical training college and a medical facility in Rakhine State by the Islamic Development Bank and an international symposium on the relations of Buddhism and Islam through a historical perspective by IRCICA. He urged the Member States to provide urgent humanitarian aid and contribute to socio-economic projects while maintaining the political pressure on the government to fulfill the rights of the Rohingya Muslim minority.

40th Session of Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC begins in Guinea

• 

40th Session of Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC begins in Guinea

09 December 2013 19:21 (Last updated 09 December 2013 19:24)

The agenda comprises of issues such as the submission of new draft resolutions on Syria, the situation of the Rohingya Muslim minority and Muslims in the southern Philippines

CONAKRY

 

The Fortieth Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Member States’ Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) started on Monday in the city of Conakry, capital of Guinea, under the title "Dialogue of Civilizations: Factor of Peace and Sustainable Development."

Speaking at the opening of the session, Secretary General of OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said that Israeli blockade on Gaza is unjust and unlawful and the Palestinian question will aggravate the problems in the Islamic world.

"As for the cause of Palestine, the raison d’être of the OIC, it has witnessed important developments in recent times. International unanimity on recognizing the State of Palestine as member of the UN General Assembly on November 29, 2012 was a major achievement that needs to be built on in order to secure more support to the Palestinian people and their legitimate national rights," stressed Ihsanoglu.

To examine the grave situation of the City of Al-Quds and the Aqsa Holy Mosque and consider possible actions to counter Israeli violations, Ihsanoglu invited the member states to participate actively in the proceedings of the special session to be held during the current Council of Foreign Ministers session with a view to elaborate a program of action, including practical measures, that would put an end to continued Israeli violations in the city of Al-Quds.

Turkish Minister of Development Cevdet Yilmaz is expected to address the foreign ministers of OIC member states and also to deliver a speech at the special session to be held on the events ongoing in Al-Quds.

The attendees also observed a minute's silence in honor of anti-apartheid leader and former South African president Nelson Mandela.

The agenda of 40th Session of Council of Foreign Minister of OIC Members comprises consideration of all major issues, particularly the submission of new draft resolutions on the situation in Syria, the situation of the Rohingya Muslim minority after the visit of the ministerial delegation to Myanmar, Muslims in the southern Philippines, the establishment of new OIC regional offices in non-ömember states, and the appointment of assistant secretaries-general for the starting tenure.

The OIC foreign ministers will, in the Conakry meeting, tackle Islamophobia and elimination of hatred against Islam, combating defamation of religions, as well as the adoption of the draft resolutions on the cause of Palestine, political affairs, the situation of Muslim minorities and communities in non-member states, humanitarian affairs, information, economic affairs, science and technology, cultural and social affairs and family.

Rohingya

Rohingya are an indigenous people of Burma: OIC Sec-Gen

Secretary-general of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Prof. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu. (PHOTO: OIC)

• By COLIN HINSHELWOOD
• 11 December 2013

The secretary-general of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Prof. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, spoke with DVB about his recent trip to Burma where he pledged OIC assistance to all communities in Arakan state – Buddhist and Muslim alike. We asked him about Rohingya rights, Rule of Law, and the path to a peaceful future.

Q: Several figures in Burma/ Myanmar have expressed opinions that the major reason for sectarian violence or anti-Muslim riots in the country is a fundamental lack of rule of law. To what extent do you believe law enforcement (or a lack thereof) is to blame? And, is this the major reason for the violence? If not, what is?

A: From 13-17 November 2013, a seven-member OIC Ministerial Contact Group Delegation visited Myanmar at the invitation of the President to assess the situation on the ground and toured camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The Delegation held discussions with government officials, members of civil society organizations and political parties, which enabled the OIC to obtain a better appreciation of the local conditions and causes of the communal tensions on the ground.

While Myanmar is making tremendous steps towards democracy there is still a need to strengthen institutions and maintain enforcement of the rule of law, particularly in Rakhine [Arakan] state. However, the inter-communal tensions that erupted stem largely from fundamental misunderstandings and misconceptions amongst different communities about each other. There is fear, suspicion and mistrust driven by false propaganda against Islam and Muslims on social media and by some extremists. The Government recognizes that this lack of trust that pervades the community makes reconciliation and harmonious living difficult and the OIC has made itself available to play a role, if requested, in this regard.

A group of young Rohingya girls fill their jars with water from one of the few water pumps available to the IDPs living in Rabba Garden IDP camp. (PHOTO: Marta Tucci)

Q: Several politicians in Burma, including President Thein Sein, have openly suggested that a solution to this ongoing problem of religious violence is to request Muslim nations and third countries to accept the Rohingyas as refugees. Is this proposal open to debate? Under what circumstances? If not, why not?

A: The Rohingya people have been in Arakan state for centuries and this is a matter of historical record. The Muslim political influence can be traced back to 1784, when the Burmese King Bodawpaya conquered Arakan.
As for the Rohingya refugees who have been pushed out of their territory, there are around 2.5 million refugees spread around the world, particularly in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE [United Arab Emirates], Thailand and Malaysia. The OIC acknowledges that much more reforms are needed to solve human rights and citizenship issues and to ensure the safe return of Rohingya refugees to their ancestral land. The Rohingya are not an alien people to the land of Arakan. There is currently a process of verification underway by the Government for those living in IDP camps and the OIC hopes that this process can be completed soon so that the government can proceed to rectify the status of those who have a right to citizenship.

Q: Much of the rhetoric coming from the anti-Muslim or anti-Rohingya voices in Burma focuses on the notion that in the 1830s, 135 ethnic groups were identified and recognised in Burma. Do these voices have a valid point? To what degree is Burma bound by international norms to accept an influx of people such as the Rohingya?

A: During our visit to Myanmar, we did encounter protesters who were influenced by such anti-Muslim rhetoric propagated by a small minority of extremists. However, this is fuelled by a great deal of misunderstanding about Islam and fear of cultural differences, which are driving the tensions. In fact, the Rohingya are an indigenous people of the land and should be accorded their legal rights. In previous years Rohingyas living within the borders of Myanmar faced severe human rights violations by the military junta such as revoking of their citizenship, refusal to reinstate, restriction of travel, denial of marriage and education, confiscation of lands, forced cheap labour, as well as rape and extortion. Under the leadership of the President and a democratic and pluralistic government we would like to see prosperity, development and social harmony be achieved in Rakhine state for the benefit of all people there and in Myanmar more generally.

Q: What is your opinion on whether the 1982 Citizenship Law should be amended to accommodate the Rohingya community and other groups?
A: From the earliest days of the modern Burmese state, the Rohingya enjoyed recognition of their language, their culture, and their right to citizenship, which was stripped from them by the arbitrary and discriminatory nature of the 1982 Citizenship Law. The discriminatory provisions of this law have been used to deny citizenship to most Rohingya Muslims and other minority groups, and should be amended. The Law recognises not one, but three categories of citizens: citizens, associate citizens and naturalised citizens. The latter two categories of associate or naturalised citizens can lose their citizenship for very minor reasons. It should be noted also that just two weeks ago the Human Rights Committee of the UN General Assembly passed a resolution urging Myanmar to give the stateless Rohingya minority equal access to citizenship and to crack down on violence against them and other Muslims in the Southeast Asian nation.

Q: During your last visit to Burma, the OIC pledged to help both or all communities in Arakan state. How do you envisage OIC’s role in providing humanitarian aid and to a larger degree, helping to establish peace in the region?
A: At the conclusion of the visit a joint communiqué was issued which expressed the common understanding of the way forward for OIC-Myanmar relations. The joint communiqué outlined the framework of cooperation; it was agreed that coordination of activities would take place through OIC ASEAN member states (Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei) specifically for the delivery of humanitarian aid. In addition, the need for interfaith dialogue, reconciliation and building mutual trust was identified and efforts are underway to develop programs that will bring peace, stability, and economic prosperity for the benefit of all communities in Rakhine state.
 Credit:DVB

Five Years of Hell for Boatpeople/THE ROHINGYAS ASK CIVIL SOCIETIES' HELP TO COME OUT FROM BLOODY HELL!!!

THE ROHINGYAS ASK CIVIL SOCIETIES' HELP TO COME OUT FROM BLOODY HELL!!!

If the international community are delaying to come forwards at the help of Rohingya boat people tragedy ,it will remain for decades to solve . This is an obligation of UN and ASEAN to immediately intervene the deadly humanitarian crisis. Thein Sein regime is full responsible for it. This is a crime against humanity. All the wrongdoers including traffickers must be booked for trail . We are sincerely asking urgent solution of plight of Rohingyas. It's also a big shame for international civil society including Thailand. We are helpless.

Posted by Maung Kyaw Nu,President,Burmese Rohingya Association in Thailand (BRAT) on December 10, 2013 04:55

The Royal Thai Navy oversees Rohingya on a beach in 2008. Now, in 2013, dealing with human traffickers appears to provide an easier solution

Photo by Royal Thai Navy

TOURISM

Five Years of Hell for Boatpeople

By Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Latest Thailand continues to attempt to please its neighbor Burma by trying to find answers to the Rohingya issue that avoid solving the problem with the people who create it. More »(PLS click &read here 

http://phuketwan.com/tourism/2008-2013-five-years-hell-boatpeople-thailand-secretly-tries-options-19358/

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Secret Gulags Confirmed by News Agency

  WE APPEAL CIVIL SOCIETY TO SOLVE THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS OF ROHINGYA  URGENTY!

Every day captives die.Yesterday morning I was informed one died at the trafficker's camp . Four beautiful Rohingya women are gang raped around the clocks despite their relatives paid 7000 Ringit (Malaysian currency) to the traffickers.The unlucky Rohingya women /girls are not get released because of sexual enjoyment by the traffickers. The captives are served stream water , less food ,mosquitoes bite ,no medicines, sleep on wet places causes daily deaths. Most of detainees release who caught again by traffickers are naturally sick and  have  no resistance power in their bodies .The new comers are all so very weak due to their long voyage to Thailand. As an activist I receive heart bleeding news from different areas.Many captives news are unknown  and  guess that they were already sold to fishing trawlers and some already died in the jungle. The solution is only protect them in their birth place by deploying UN Peace Keeping Forces. If not the Rohingya boat people tragedies at the traffickers concentration camps will be continued. We are so helpless and we don't know how to solve this humanitarian crisis. The Burmese Rohingya Association ,BRAT, members have knocked UN doors  many times since June 2012 and only asking for deployment of UNPKF to protect the Rohingyas from genocide. We didn't see any action from Mr.Ban Ki Moon except a few condemning resolutions from UNGA. He is well aware about solving genocidal cases through convening UN Security Council UNSC meeting and urgent sending Peace Keeping Forces in Arakan. Due to UN failure of timely action ,our Rohingyas are experiencing  untold losses inside and out side of our country.We are ardently appealing towards the civil society of the world to save the Rohingyas from extinction from the earth. Rohingya situation is so dire everywhere and we feel very friendless .

Maung Kyaw Nu
BRAT

A Phuketwan journalist being assisted through the jungle near a secret camp

Photo by phuketwan.com

TOURISM

Secret Gulags Confirmed by News Agency

By Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Latest A long, detailed report by Reuters news agency adds weight today to Phuketwan's investigation into the abuses and killings of Rohingya boatpeople in secret camps in Thailand's jungle. More »(Click and read here detail)

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Report: Thailand Selling Rohingya to Human Traffickers/Listen VOA

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News / Asia

A woman and her children visit their husband and dad of Myanmar Rohingya Muslims at the court's detention house in Medan, North Sumatra, Dec. 4, 2013, before the verdict.

VOA News

December 05, 2013

A news agency investigation says Thai officials have been secretly allowing Rohingya Muslim refugees to be dumped off to human traffickers, who hold them for ransom under brutal conditions.

The report by the Reuters news agency said Thai immigration officials were often complicit in the policy toward the Rohingya, who are escaping unrest and religious persecution in neighboring Burma.

It said many of the refugees were told by officials they were being deported back to Burma. Only after they were out at sea, did they realize they had been sold to human traffickers.

The survivors say they were then sent to camps along Thailand's remote border with Malaysia. Many were said to be beaten, and some even killed. They were only allowed to leave if their relatives paid thousands of dollars in ransom.

Thai police officials told Reuters they have heard about the camps, but say they are doing nothing at this time to investigate them. They also acknowledged that Thai officials have in the past benefited from Rohingya smuggling operations.

Chris Lewa of the Arakan Project, a Rohingya rights group, tells VOA the camps have been around for a while. But she says conditions there are getting worse, likely because of the rising population.

She says her organization has talked to many refugees at the camps who were beaten in an attempt to extort about $2,000 from family members.

"They are given a mobile phone to call relatives in Myanmar, in Malaysia, wherever, to collect this money. And when they are making that call, they are beaten up so they will scream and cry so the relatives will feel the urge to collect the money as soon as possible."

Lewa says it is not clear what happens to those whose families cannot afford the ransom.

"The people we have met had paid [the ransom], so they don't know what happened to those left behind. We understand that quite a few of them would have been sold, either to a fishing troller or to plantations."

Thailand has come under criticism in the past for its policy toward Rohingya. Many have been deported or turned away at sea. Others are in government detention centers described as overcrowded and inhumane.

The refugees are fleeing violence in Burma's western Rakhine, or Arakan, state, where sectarian violence has killed at least 240 people and displaced 140,000 others, mainly Rohingya, in recent months.

In addition to the violence, Rohingya are denied citizenship and other basic rights in Burma, where they are considered immigrants from Bangladesh. The United Nations considers them one of the world's most persecuted minority groups.

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