Sydney Morning Herald: April 16, 2009
Rohingya not our problem, Burma tells Bali meeting

A LASTING solution to the plight of Burma's Rohingya minority remains elusive after Burma yesterday continued to deny they were its citizens or acknowledge they were persecuted. continue

RFA: April 16, 2009
Asia's New Boat People

BANGKOK—Burma's Muslim Rohingya minority are routinely persecuted by powerful local officials in the northern state of Rakhine, the Rohingya and their advocates say. continue

Media Monitors Network: April 15, 2009
North Arakan: an open prison for the Rohingya in Burma

"Many minorities, including the Rohingya of Burma, are persecuted by being rendered stateless."

Hundreds of thousands have fled to Bangladesh and further afield to escape oppression or in order to survive. There were mass exoduses to Bangladesh in 1978 and again in 1991-92. Each time, international pressure persuaded Burma to accept them back and repatriation followed, often under coercion. But the outflow continues. continue

Bangkok Post: April 15, 2009
RI expects Myanmar to speak up on Rohingya issue at Bali meeting

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said Wednesday that Indonesia expected Myanmarese delegates to speak up about the Rohingya refugee problem to help settle people smuggling issues during the Bali meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali. continue

Bangkok Post: April 15, 2009
Crisis a gift to people traffickers: Australia

People traffickers are licking their lips as the world economic downturn pushes more people to migrate in search of work, Australia's foreign minister told Asian ministers.

Stephen Smith told a gathering of ministers and high-level officials from more than 60 countries, mostly from the Asia-Pacific region, continue

Xinhua: April 14, 2009
Indonesia hosts Asia-Pacific meeting on Rohingya issue

JAKARTA, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is scheduled to host an Asia Pacific ministerial meeting that will discuss Rohingnya boat people who are seeking refugee status, The Jakarta Post reported Tuesday. continue

TODAY: March 25, 2009
Singapore would deal with Rohingya refugees ‘humanely’

THE news of how hundreds of Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar had drowned, after being allegedly pushed out to sea by a neighbour’s military, provoked outrage in some quarters. continue

Malaysian Insider: March 20, 2009
A regional solution for Rohingyas

MARCH 20 — In January this year, shocking news emerged of the mistreatment by Thai security forces of over a thousand ‘boat people’ travelling from Bangladesh and Burma to Thailand and Malaysia. Most of them were ethnic Rohingyas from Arakan State in Burma. continue...

Irrawaddy: March 13, 2009
UN to Increase Focus on Burma's Muslim Migrants

RANGOON — The UN refugee agency said it will increase its focus on areas of Burma from which Muslim migrants have recently fled.

The announcement on Thursday came after High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres’ visit to the country, which began Saturday. continue...

Bangkok Post: March 11, 2009
Burma's Rohingyas in flight and the solutions to their plight [Opinion]

Much ink has been spilt over the plight of Rohingyas who have sought shelter in the Southeast Asian region in recent months, even though the situation is hardly new.
Opinions range from the nationalistic to internationalistic - varying from defensive claims of national security immersed in an attitude of denial, to international law-based advocacy of their rights inviting a more open response. continue...

TIME: March 10, 2009
Visiting the Rohingya, Burma's Hidden Population

'Sorry,' I was told, 'but there are no Rohingya here.' I was mystified. From everything that I had heard about this persecuted Muslim minority, the Rohingya come from western Burma's isolated Arakan State. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, who speak a dialect similar to that of Bengalis from neighboring Bangladesh, have fled the brutality of Burma's military regime by escaping their Buddhist-majority homeland for lives as illegal immigrants. continue...

RFA: March 10, 2009
Rohingyas Get U.N. Focus

BANGKOK—The chief of the United Nations' refugee agency has visited Burma’s northern Rakhine state, home to the Muslim Rohingya minority, a spokeswoman said.

U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres's traveled Tuesday to Sittwe, capital of Rakhine state, which borders Bangladesh and is home to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya. continue...

The Washington Times: March 9, 2009
Burma's majority persecutes Christians and Muslims alike Heidi Kingstone

The Rohingyas may be among the most miserable refugee populations on Earth, relief workers say. Every so often the tragedy of these outcasts from militarily ruled Burma pushes itself to the forefront of international consciousness. continue...

Bangkok Post: March 08, 2009
Burma is a continuing thorn in the side of Asean countries

At last week's summit of southeast Asia's leaders, Burma constantly dogged the group's discussions. Every press conference was dominated by questions about the ethnic minority Rohingya, Burma's human rights record and the future of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.continue...

Irrawaddy: March 05, 2009
Thailand Should Not Repatriate Rohingyas: US Ambassador

The United States Ambassador to Thailand has urged the Thai government to not forcibly repatriate Rohingya boat people to Burma without guarantees of their safety. The Rohingya are a Muslim ethnic minority who live in Burma. continue...

The Phillipine Star: March 03, 2009
ASEAN urged to shelter Muslim boat people

KUALA LUMPUR (AP) - A Malaysian rights group urged Southeast Asian nations today to give temporary shelter to Myanmar's Muslim boat people landing on their shores until conditions are safe for them to return home.
Suaram, one of Malaysia's most vocal human rights advocates, expressed deep concern over Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's call last week to turn back the Rohingya boat people...continue...

BBC: Feb 28, 2009
Burma offers Rohingya return deal

The Burmese government has said it will take back ethnic Rohingyas who have fled to neighbouring countries.
But it will only do so if they identify themselves as Bengalis, as it refuses to recognise the Rohingyas as one of its official minorities.continue...

SCMP: Feb 28, 2009
Plight of Rohingya boatpeople is on sidelines of summit

It could be a case of beauty and the beasts or, if you prefer, the sublime to the ridiculous.

Three weeks ago it was Hollywood sex bomb Angelina Jolie leading the charge to raise international awareness of the plight of the Rohingya boatpeople in her role as a UN goodwill ambassador. This weekend it is the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, who today stage their annual summit in Hua Hin on the Gulf of Thailand..continue...

The Nation: Feb 27, 2009
'Put human rights, Burma at top of Asean Summit agenda'

Human rights and tackling Burma's abuses should be at the top the agenda at the Asean Summit beginning today in Chaam, Londonbased Amnesty International and New Yorkbased Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in statements released yesterday. continue...

The Nation: Feb 26, 2009
Human rights should dominate ASEAN agenda: AI

London-based Amnesty International (AI) called on ASEAN member states on Thursday to move human rights to the top of the agenda of the ASEAN summit if they are to demonstrate their commitment to the ASEAN Charter.continue...

Bangkok Post: Feb 26, 2009
SI looks for help to halt Rohingya influx

The Department of Special Investigation is seeking cooperation from other agencies to combat human trafficking and the smuggling of Rohingya migrants into the country.continue...

CNN: Feb 25, 2009
A Forgotten People

They are one of the world's most persecuted people. According to the United Nations, the Rohingya have been oppressed for centuries, living in one of the poorest and most remote regions of Myanmar or Burma. They have been fighting an endless battle to be recognized as a distinct ethnic group and even struggling to gain basic citizenship for decades, despite living there for centuries.continue...

Straits Times: Feb 22, 2009
ROHINGHYA MIGRANT ABUSE: Abhisit calls for evidence

JAKARTA - THAI Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called on Saturday on the international media to provide evidence to back up allegations the Thai military abused Myanmar migrants.
Thailand has faced criticism over claims that its security forces abused migrants from the Rohingya Muslim minority, hundreds of whom have been rescued in Indian and Indonesian waters in recent months. continue...

Bangkok Post: Feb 22, 2009
Rohingya: A regional problem

"The Rohingya issue is a very complicated challenge to the entire region of Southeast Asia," Mr Surin told Spectrum in an exclusive interview. "Asean happens to be a foremost regional organisation aspiring to evolve into a community of caring societies, so it has to be an issue of concern to Asean."continue...

 

 

Irrawaddy: March 23, 2009
Thailand Requests Burmese Help in Screening Rohingyas

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya asked the Burmese government on Sunday to help Thailand screen Rohingya migrants who have entered his country illegally. continue

The Nation: March 22, 2009
Thai FM makes official visit to Burma

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya left Sunday for an official two-day visit to Burma that is expected to touch on the controversial issue of the two countries' joint efforts to solve the ethnic minority Rohingya problem. continue...

Mizzima: March 13, 2009
UNHCR to expand activities in Burma

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee [UNHCR] said it has received ‘positive’ and ‘encouraging signal’ from the government of Burma to expand its activities in the country’s northern Arakan state where Rohingya minorities reside.continue...

The Nation: March 11, 2009
How far will the govt really go to protect migrant workers? [Opinion]

" I have to apologise for meeting all of you in this condition, " said Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya. His audience was a group of 22 out of 78 Rohingya people currently detained at the Immigration centre in this coastal town on the Andaman Sea.continue...

Irrawaddy: March 09, 2009
UNHCR Discusses Rohingya Issue with Burmese Regime

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Antonio Guterres, discussed the plight of Rohingya refugees on Monday with Burmese government officials in Naypyidaw.continue...

Bangkok Post: March 07, 2009
Pakistan, Bangladesh immigrants under DSI scrutiny

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is expanding its inquiry into the Rohingya boat people to other illegal immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Middle East for fear they could be involved in terrorism and other crimes that undermine national security.continue...

Bangkok Post: March 07, 2009
Guideline to tackle Rohingya problem

Thailand and the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have agreed to jointly introduce a handbook for screening Bengalis from the Rohingya boat people. continue...

Bangkok Post: March 06, 2009
Rohingya inquiry gets new chief

The head of the Immigration Bureau, Chatchawan Suksomchit, has been assigned to supervise the handling of all cases relating to Rohingya migrants, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general Thawee Sodsong said on Friday.continue...

The Nation: March 05, 2009
Asean wrestles with its demons seeking human rights balance

If we had not fallen for the government's propaganda over the success of the 14th Asean Summit, we would have seen that in reality the group yet faces a lot of work in building up a 'credible' human rights body.continue...

Irrawaddy: March 04, 2009
Burma Must Treat Rohingyas Better: Malaysia FM

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia— Military-ruled Burma must assure its neighbors that the thousands of Muslim boatpeople who have fled the country will not be persecuted if they're returned home, Malaysia's foreign minister said on Wednesday. continue...

CNN: March 03, 2009
Thailand: Myanmar to allow refugees

Myanmar will allow Rohingya refugees back into the country if they can prove that they are Bengali, Thailand's foreign ministry said..continue...

IRIN: March 02, 2009
ASIA: Regional approach to Rohingya boat peopl

HUA HIN, 2 March 2009 (IRIN) - Southeast Asian leaders have agreed to use the regional mechanism, known as the "Bali process", to try to solve the problem of the minority Muslim Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar.continue...

The Nation: Feb 28, 2009
Singing a requiem for the Rohingya boat people

THIRTY YEARS AGO, I wrote the article that is partly reprinted below. It was published in The Nation on June 27, 1979, against the backdrop of the Vietnamese boat people. Things have not changed much since then. Today's inhumanity still rears its ugly head while our leaders cling to the excuses of "national interest" or "security concerns" to justify the drowning of the Rohingya boat people, instead of taking a moral stand. continue...

IPS: Feb 28, 2009
'Bali Process' May Address Rohingya Crisis

CHA-AM, Thailand, Feb 28 (IPS) - South-east Asian governments are examining the possibility of using a seven-year-old regional mechanism, known as the ‘’Bali Process,’’ to find an answer to minority Muslim Rohingyas fleeing ethnic cleansing in military-ruled Burma.continue...

Bangkok Post: Feb 27, 2009
Rohingya 'a regional problem'

Burma is ready to take back the Rohingya migrants if they can prove they are of Bengali descent, which is a recognised ethnic minority there, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Friday. continue...

Bangkok Post: Feb 27, 2009
Abdullah: We must be firm in turning back Rohingya

Countries affected by the influx of Rohingya refugees must be firm in turning them back, says Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. continue...

Al-Jazeera: Feb 27, 2009
Asean under pressure over rights

South-East Asian leaders are facing pressure to take firm action on human rights and halt cases of abuse against migrants and refugees, as they gather for a regional summit in Thailand. continue...

SCMP: Feb 24, 2009
UN refugee chief to quiz Thailand over Rohingya

ANBERRA - Antonio Guterres, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, said he would travel to Bangkok next month to discuss international concerns about Thailand's treatment of Rohingya migrants. continue...

SCMP: Feb 22, 2009
'Your son is alive': rare joy for Rohingya

Last month, the Sunday Morning Post told the story of Akhtar Hossain, a 20-year-old Rohingya languishing in a hospital in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. More than 300 of his shipmates perished on a nightmare voyage after being expelled from Thailand in a powerless barge. The Post tracked down Akhtar's family to a remote village in Bangladesh, where journalist Shaikh Azizur Rahman broke the news to them that their son was alive. continue...

New York Times: April 16, 2009
Boat People From Myanmar Face an Uncertain Future in Indonesia Camps

IDI RAYEUK, INDONESIA — The only solace for the almost 200 men living in a squalid refugee camp here is the freedom they now have to pray.continue...

Phuketwan: April 16, 2009
Thailand's UN Pledge: No More Boat People Deaths

THAILAND has reportedly undertaken never again to tow Rohingya boat people out to sea and abandon them, a brutal policy that led to the deaths of hundreds.

The promise has been made to the United Nations, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said yesterday at an international conference on people smuggling. continue...

Irrawaddy: April 16, 2009
Rohingya Issue Remains Unresolved

The issue of Rohingya boatpeople is still unsettled following the completion of a two-day regional conference on illegal migration issues held in Bali, Indonesia, as Burmese officials continue to reject the Rohingya as their citizens, according to experts who attended the meeting. continue...

ALIRAN: April 15, 2009
Asean has failed to save Rohingyas

Asean member states have failed to acknowledge the root cause of Rohingya rights violations, namely the systemic discrimination faced by the Rohingya inside Myanmar. As long as this systemic persecution is not sufficiently addressed through viable policy initiatives by Asean states, the number of asylum seekers will continue to escalate, says Caram Asia. continue...

Brisbane Times (Aussie): April 15, 2009
Australia vows more aid for Rohingya

Australia pledged more help for Burma's persecuted Rohingya people on Wednesday as Foreign Minister Stephen Smith pressed for improved treatment of the Muslim minority. continue...

The New Nation (BD): April 3, 2009
Asean responsibility towards refugees

The Rohingya, who live in the northern part of Arakan state in Myanmar, adjacent to Bangladesh, are a Muslim minority. They are amongst those persecuted by the Myanmar military government. Due to persecution, they have fled to Thailand and Malaysia and live as illegal refugees in miserable conditions in refugee camps. continue...

HIMAL: April 2009
Rohingya, not Bengali (Burma)

Yet again, the situation surrounding the ethnic Rohingya community of Burma has burgeoned from a national disgrace to a regional shame. Despite what had appeared to be a coincidence of timing and opportunity to finally allow for a concerted effort on this long-festering problem, it now appears as though the Burmese generals, backed by inertia in the capitals of Southeast Asia, will preclude any movement on the status of this beleaguered community. continue...

The Nation: March 26, 2009
Thailand and Burma to sign pact on anti-human trafficking issues

An 11-year-old girl was the youngest victim of human trafficking crimes that were found mostly in Chaing Rai, Samut Sakhon, Songkhla and Pattani while immigrant workers were continuously lured to serve on fishing boats, as there was a 10,000 position labour shortage in the industry. continue...

Bangkok Post: March 23, 2009
Kasit asks Burma for cooperation on Rohingya

RANGOON : Thailand has called on the Burmese government to send its embassy staff to help screen those who could be identified as Bengali people in Thailand in an attempt to resolve the Rohingya refugee problem. continue...

Irrawaddy: March 20, 2009
Junta Allows UN to Continue Aid to Rohingya

BANGKOK — For now, the United Nations’ refugee agency has been given breathing room to operate in a western corner of military-ruled Burma, where humanitarian programs offer some comfort to the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority. continue...

Bangkok Post: March 13, 2009
UN to boost focus on Rohingya

The UN has agreed with Burma to extend its activities in a region from which hundreds of Muslim people recently fled in boats, the world body's refugee chief said after a visit to the military-ruled nation.continue...

MIZZIMA: March 11, 2009
Rohingya issue to top Thai-Burmese Foreign ministers' meet

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Thailand’s Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will discuss the issue of Rohingya boatpeople during his visit to Burma that will begin on March 23, a Thai official said. continue...

National Post: March 10, 2009
The worst refugee crisis in the world

Every so often the tragic human situation of the Rohingyas pushes itself to the forefront of international consciousness. Lately it has been as a result of the Thai authorities forcing hundreds of desperate men out to sea in open boats and leaving them to die.continue...

Bangkok Post: March 09, 2009
Rohingya on Kasit's Burma trip agenda

RANONG : The Rohingya boat people will be on the agenda for talks when Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya visits Burma on March 23.
Also scheduled for discussion are the regulation and registration of Burmese migrant workers in Thailand and Thai imports of timber from Burma.continue...

Bangkok Post: March 08, 2009
Minister, UN agree Rohingya proposal

Thailand and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have agreed to jointly introduce a handbook for screening Bengalis from the Rohingya boat people.
continue...

Irrawaddy: March 06, 2009
UNHCHR Calls for Investigation on Mistreatment of Rohingya

The United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, on Thursday called for an investigation into alleged mistreatment of Rohingya boatpeople and urged Burma’s neighboring countries to treat them according to international standards. continue...

SCMP: March 03, 2009
People smugglers continue to prey on relatives of lost Rohingya

The Rohingya villages of Bangladesh are stricken over dozens of men feared lost at sea after they set out for Thailand in rickety boats. But even as the villagers mourn, they remain in thrall to the people smugglers who sent their loved ones to an uncertain fate. Shaikh Azizur Rahman reports.continue...

Straits Times: March 02, 2009
Asean must address Rohingya

HUA HIN - SINGAPORE Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for the first time addressed the issue of stateless Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar yesterday, warning that Asean must address it seriously or risk losing credibility.continue...

Bangkok Post: Feb 28, 2009
Burma: We'll take Bengalis, not Rohingya

PHETCHABURI : Burma yesterday only agreed to take back boat people if they could be identified as coming from its Bengali ethnic minority and are not Rohingya.continue...

The Nation: Feb 28, 2009
"We'll take any ethnic bengalis born in Burma" : Junta

Cha-am - Burma has agreed to take back the Rohingya Muslim boat people if they are identified as ethnic Bengalis born in Burma, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said yesterday.continue...

MIZZIMA: Feb 28, 2009
Activists raise Burma issues with ASEAN leaders

New Delhi (Mizzima) - Activists representing civil society organizations in Southeast Asian countries raised the Burma issue including freedom for Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in the forum of ASEAN leaders on Saturday. continue...

Straits Times: Feb 27, 2009
Turn back migrants: M'sia PM

CHA-AM (Thailand) - MALAYSIA'S prime minister has called for Myanmar's Muslim boat people to be pushed back if they attempt to land on any Southeast Asian shores in search of asylum, The Bangkok Post said on Friday. continue...

Straits Times: Feb 27, 2009
Rohingyas to be sent back

HUA HIN (Thailand) - THE Association of South-east Asian Nations said on Friday it will send hundreds of Rohingya boat people back to military-ruled Myanmar, which rights groups fear gives them little in the way of protection. continue...

Al-Jazeera: Feb 27, 2009
101 East: Obsolete ASEAN

Migrants from Myanmar have been arriving in Indonesia dehydrated and close to death.
They say that they originally landed in Thailand but the Thai armed forces towed them back out to sea in boats without engines and with little food or water. continue...

Irrawaddy: Feb 27, 2009
Burma Insists Rohingyas are ‘Bengalis’

CHA-AM, Thailand — Burma is insisting at the Association of Southeast Nations (Asean) summit in southern Thailand that the boatpeople now fleeing Arakan State are not Rohingyas but Bengalis.continue...

Straits Times: Feb 26, 2009
Myanmar's abuses pressed on

CHA-AM, Thailand - INTERNATIONAL human rights groups urged leaders of South-east Asia gathering for their annual summit on Thursday to press military-ruled Myanmar to end its gross human rights abuses.continue...

CNN: Feb 26, 2009
Boat people to be sent back to Myanmar and uncertain fate

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Scores of boat people who fled Myanmar and are now in Thailand are to be sent back despite human rights groups' concerns they could be tortured or killed upon return.continue...

The Nation: Feb 24, 2009
Thailand 'needs help' to tackle Rohingya problem

The plight of the Rohingya boat people will not be part of the main agenda at the Asean Summit in Cha-am, senior officials said yesterday.
Though the issue will be discussed on the sidelines, no concrete outcomes can be expected, they said.continue...

Irrawaddy: Feb 23, 2009
Refugees to be Victims of Economic Collapse: UN

CANBERRA — The global economic crisis will create more refugees and fuel xenophobia in some countries, the United Nations refugee chief warned on Monday.continue...

 

 

 

 

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Rohingya Boat People Project
Last updated: Designed by A. S. Arkani

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