Panicked Rohingyas entering Bangladesh

[INDIC]

You are wrong, we eat curry too but we dont smell like curry. ;-)

Curry eaters abusing others.

 

[TopCat]

 

[TopCat]

HRW tells Bangladesh to open border

New York based Human Rights Watch has urged Bangladesh government to immediately open its borders to Myanmarese seeking refuge in face of sectarian violence in Arakan State.

A press release of Human Rights Watch published on its website on Wednesday said the government, which is anticipating an influx of refugees fleeing the violence between Buddhists and Muslims, reportedly ordered its border guards and naval services to prevent Myanmarese from crossing the border into Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni at a news conference in Dhaka said, “It is not in our interest that new refugees come from Myanmar.” Bangladeshi authorities reported that at least 500 people aboard 11 boats have been pushed back over the last three days, the press release said.

“By closing its border when violence in Arakan State is out of control, Bangladesh is putting lives at grave risk,” Bill Frelick, refugee program director at Human Rights Watch, said in the press release.

“Bangladesh has an obligation under international law to keep its border open to the people fleeing threats to their lives and provide them protection,” he added.

The brutal violence in Arakan State erupted on June 3 and has intensified since then.

Security forces have shot and killed an unknown number of Rohingyas, and sectarian mobs from both groups have burned down the homes and businesses of the other. On June 10, President of Myanmar Thein Sein imposed state of emergency in the area, ceding authority for law enforcement to the army, , the press release said.

Although Bangladesh is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, it is obligated by the customary international law principle of non-refoulement not to reject asylum seekers at its border when they are fleeing threats to their lives or freedom, the HRW release mentioned.

Human Rights Watch called on the Bangladeshi government to allow independent humanitarian agencies free and unfettered access to the border areas, it said adding that other governments should provide humanitarian assistance and other support for the refugees.

They should also help in finding durable solutions both for the new arrivals and for the 29,000 registered and an estimated 200,000 unregistered Rohingya refugees from Myanmar already in Bangladesh, who are living in some of the poorest provisioned camps in the world, the press release said.

“Bangladesh needs generous support right now from the international community to assist the refugees fleeing Arakan State and to find durable solutions later on,” Frelick said.

“But Bangladesh can help itself by allowing immediate and full access to humanitarian agencies so they can provide life-saving assistance to desperate refugees,” he added.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=38374

 

[asad71]

Imagine if the thread title had read:

Panicked Cypriot Muslims Are Jumping Into the Sea,
or
Panicked Hindus Are Flooding Into India.

 

[Roybot]

Imagine if the thread title had read:

Panicked Cypriot Muslims Are Jumping Into the Sea,
or
Panicked Hindus Are Flooding Into India.

Happened in 1970/71.

 

[LaBong]

Happened in 1970/71.

Even in last BNP era.

 

[TopCat]

Seems like Bangladesh started allowing some refugee in limited scale. They rescued a 1 and 1/2 month old child left abandoned in the trawler. The resident of the trawler probably swam to the shore while left the baby in the trawler. That only proves the desperation of the Rohingyas in their part.

I hope GOB immediately to open the border for refugee to enter Bangladesh unrestricted.

Even in last BNP era.

No need to troll .. its a serious thread and the life of people are at stake. Dont start a flame bait here.

 

[TopCat]

 

[alaungphaya]

Tell me what you think of any of these points:-

-The Rohingya have not been living in Arakan since the time of Mrauk Oo Kingdom (15th Century) but much later. Rohingya migration happened during the British administration between 1826-1948. I think this is the most unbiased, academic analysis.

-The Rohingya should be free to choose between settling in Bangladesh or Myanmar.

-If they wish to settle in Myanmar, they should work hard to integrate and citizenship 'tests' should be administered such as language and basic history etc. (as they do in most countries when someone applies for citizenship).

-Those who settle in Myanmar should relinquish all idea of a separate autonomous republic.

-Bangladesh should allow refugees to enter right now not only because it is a responsible UN member but because these people are Muslims of Bengali extraction who speak a Bengali dialect.

I don't want to see posturing between we Burmese and Bangladesh. We can enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship. When I said Bangladesh is relatively insignificant to the Burmese before, I meant in the context that the government sees China, Thailand and India as its most important neighbours and BD often gets relegated on the agenda. It was not a slight on you.

 

[notsuperstitious]

Why do Bangladeshis start claiming they would rule arakan, they would rule assam, they would rule tripura etc etc when discussing foreign relations?

Funniest bit is they always call India ''''hegemonic'''' and ''''expansionist'''' but they want parts of India, or is it calling every person who does not agree with them a RAW agent!!! ?

I mean there has to be a limit to delusions.

 

[alaungphaya]

Why do Bangladeshis start claiming they would rule arakan, they would rule assam, they would rule tripura etc etc when discussing foreign relations?

Funniest bit is they always call India ''''hegemonic'''' and ''''expansionist'''' but they want parts of India, or is it calling every person who does not agree with them a RAW agent!!! ?

I mean there has to be a limit to delusions.

In their defence, it's probably only a handful of hardliners on here who say that. I'm sure most Bangladeshis see the foolishness of trying to take Arakan or inciting a jihad there.

 

[INDIC]

What is OIC's or Arab League's stand on this issue.

 

[Zabaniyah]

What is OIC's or Arab League's stand on this issue.

OIC is concerned over the report of violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar

The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation expresses grave concern over reports of violence against Rohingya Muslim minorities in Arakan province and other parts of Myanmar.

It has been reported in the last few days that repeated attacks on Rohingya Muslims and their places of worship, properties and residences has taken place in the western province of Rakhine. Also disturbing are news reports of armed mobs surrounding the Central Mosque and the Auk Ywa mosque intimidating worshippers.

The OIC condemns such systematic acts of violence and intimidation against the peaceful Rohingya population who have suffered for decades and urge the OIC Member States and the international community to urgently request the Myanmar government to prevent such violence and loss of life and bring the culprits to justice.

As the country moves towards democratization, the OIC expects the Myanmar authorities to live up to their democratic responsibilities, take all necessary measures to stop violence in the Arakan region, maintain international standards and fully accord the rights of citizenship to Rohingya Muslims.

http://www.oic-oci.org/topic_detail.asp?t_id=6937

They are just 'concerned'.

 

[kobiraaz]

And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?" [Sura Nisa : 75]

 

[alaungphaya]

HRW tells Bangladesh to open border

New York based Human Rights Watch has urged Bangladesh government to immediately open its borders to Myanmarese seeking refuge in face of sectarian violence in Arakan State.

A press release of Human Rights Watch published on its website on Wednesday said the government, which is anticipating an influx of refugees fleeing the violence between Buddhists and Muslims, reportedly ordered its border guards and naval services to prevent Myanmarese from crossing the border into Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni at a news conference in Dhaka said, “It is not in our interest that new refugees come from Myanmar.” Bangladeshi authorities reported that at least 500 people aboard 11 boats have been pushed back over the last three days, the press release said.

“By closing its border when violence in Arakan State is out of control, Bangladesh is putting lives at grave risk,” Bill Frelick, refugee program director at Human Rights Watch, said in the press release.

“Bangladesh has an obligation under international law to keep its border open to the people fleeing threats to their lives and provide them protection,” he added.

The brutal violence in Arakan State erupted on June 3 and has intensified since then.

Security forces have shot and killed an unknown number of Rohingyas, and sectarian mobs from both groups have burned down the homes and businesses of the other. On June 10, President of Myanmar Thein Sein imposed state of emergency in the area, ceding authority for law enforcement to the army, , the press release said.

Although Bangladesh is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, it is obligated by the customary international law principle of non-refoulement not to reject asylum seekers at its border when they are fleeing threats to their lives or freedom, the HRW release mentioned.

Human Rights Watch called on the Bangladeshi government to allow independent humanitarian agencies free and unfettered access to the border areas, it said adding that other governments should provide humanitarian assistance and other support for the refugees.

They should also help in finding durable solutions both for the new arrivals and for the 29,000 registered and an estimated 200,000 unregistered Rohingya refugees from Myanmar already in Bangladesh, who are living in some of the poorest provisioned camps in the world, the press release said.

“Bangladesh needs generous support right now from the international community to assist the refugees fleeing Arakan State and to find durable solutions later on,” Frelick said.

“But Bangladesh can help itself by allowing immediate and full access to humanitarian agencies so they can provide life-saving assistance to desperate refugees,” he added.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=38374

It's interesting that only a few days ago HRW slammed the Burmese government:

The government of Burma should take all necessary steps to protect communities at risk in Arakan (Rakhine) State after violence between Buddhists and Muslims in western Burma has left an unknown number dead, Human Rights Watch said on Monday.
Rakhine residents and monks demonstrate at Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon on Saturday, June 9, 2012, calling for justice in Rakhine State following the murder of Rakhine citizens by Buddhist mobs over the weekend. Photo: Lynn Bo Bo / Mizzima

Rakhine residents and monks demonstrate at Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon on Saturday, June 9, 2012, calling for justice in Rakhine State following the murder of Rakhine citizens by Buddhist mobs over the weekend. Photo: Lynn Bo Bo / Mizzima

“The government has taken inadequate steps to stop sectarian-violence between Arakan Buddhists and ethnic Rohingya Muslims, or to bring those responsible to justice,” it said.

Human Rights Watch urged the government to permit prompt access to international journalists, aid workers, and diplomats.

“Deadly violence in Arakan State is spiraling out of control under the government’s watch,” said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Opening the area to independent international observers would put all sides on notice that they were being closely watched.”

Brutal violence in Arakan State in western Burma erupted on June 3, 2012, when an estimated 300 Arakan Buddhists attacked a bus of traveling Muslims, killing 10 passengers. The angry mob was reacting to information that an Arakan girl was allegedly raped and murdered in late May by three Rohingya suspects.

At the time of the attack, the suspects were reportedly in police custody, said HRW. Clashes have intensified since, spreading to the state’s largest town, Sittwe, with Rohingya mobs burning Arakan homes and businesses, and the army opening fire and allegedly killing Rohingyas. Mobs of Rohingya and Arakanese, armed with sticks and swords, have reportedly committed violence that resulted in numerous deaths.

On June 7, the Burmese government announced an investigation into the violence. As clashes worsened, on June 10, President Thein Sein issued a state of emergency in the area, ceding complete authority to the Burmese army.

For decades, the Rohingya have routinely suffered abuses by the Burmese army, including extrajudicial killings, forced labor, land confiscation, and restricted freedom of movement. Arakan people have also faced human rights violations by the army. Using the army to restore order risks arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture, Human Rights Watch said.

“Given the Burmese army’s brutal record of abuses in Arakan State, putting the military in charge of law enforcement could make matters worse,” Pearson said. “The government needs to be protecting threatened communities, but without any international presence there, there’s a real fear that won’t happen.”

Where security permits, international agencies such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees should maintain an on-the-ground presence in Arakan State to provide assistance and protection as possible, it said.

Background

For decades the Rohingya have borne the brunt of the earlier military government’s brutal state-building policies. The Rohingya have been formally denied citizenship and were excluded from the last census in 1983.

They are widely regarded within Burma as “Bengalis” – people of Bangladesh nationality. Since the 1960s there have been multiple campaigns led by the Burmese authorities to expel the Rohingya from Burma, resulting in a litany of human rights violations. There are an estimated 800,000 Rohingya in Burma, and about 200,000 live in Bangladesh, of which 30,000 live in squalid refugee camps.

“The Burmese government’s policies of exclusion have fostered resentment against the Rohingya,” said Pearson. “Longer-term, the government should be thinking about how to address the years of discrimination and neglect that the Rohingya have faced, provide some mechanism for accountability, and ensure the rights of Rohingya equally with other Burmese.”

The ongoing violence in Arakan State shows that despite the democratic progress of recent months, there are still formidable challenges for human rights in Burma, HRW said. Many areas populated by ethnic minorities have seen few benefits from the reform process. International journalists and aid workers still face restricted access to large parts of the country.

Influential governments such as the U.S., Japan, Australia, and members of the European Union should continue to press for full civilian control over the military and building the rule of law, instead of giving up all its leverage at a moment when the reform process has barely begun.

I really don't see the international community lining up against us on this issue.