Rights Group Slams #China for Forcibly Returning Burma #Refugees

Human Rights Watch has sent a letter to China accusing it of violating international law by forcing thousands of Burmese to return to their conflict-torn homeland.
The group says Beijing recently returned at least 4,000 ethnic Kachins who had fled to China's Yunnan province. It said they were sent home in late August after the government “summarily declared” they were not refugees.
Tens of thousands of people have fled fighting in northern Burma since June 2011, when a 17-year cease-fire between the military and the Kachin Independence Army collapsed.
China has denied forcibly returning the Kachins, saying they voluntarily crossed the border when the fighting ended. But Human Rights Watch says the violence continues in Kachin state and that thousands more are being displaced.
The group's letter to the Chinese foreign ministry said the up to 10,000 Kachin refugees who have been allowed to enter China have not been provided humanitarian assistance and have been denied access to U.N. human rights officials.
Bill Frelick, Refugee Program Director at Human Rights Watch, said China is creating “its own refugee status determination process” rather than honoring international law on refugees.
Last week, the U.S. State Department also called on China to give temporary protection for Kachin refugees in Yunnan, saying they should only return home by their own choice when it is safe to do so.
Burma's government has reached cease-fire deals with several ethnic minority rebel groups in recent months. But negotiations with the Kachin have so far been unsuccessful.

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#SuuKyi, #Clinton Discuss Refugees

The Burmese opposition leader begins her US visit with a meeting with the top American diplomat.

RFA

Aung San Suu Kyi (l) speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (r) at the State Department in Washington, Sept. 18, 2012.

Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi opened her visit to the United States with talks Tuesday with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the welfare of Burmese refugees in America.

The 67-year-old Nobel laureate, who arrived on Monday for a nearly three-week visit, met with Clinton at her office in the State Department.

The top U.S. diplomat briefly spoke to Aung San Suu Kyi on the resettlement of Burmese refugees in the United States and the visitor's trip next week to Fort Wayne in Indiana state, home to a large number of Burmese.

There is "so much excitement and enthusiasm about the fact that you can actually come," Clinton told Aung San Suu Kyi, according to journalists and photographers who were allowed a couple of minutes to witness their meeting before they went into closed talks.

Aung San Suu Kyi said she had heard about Fort Wayne while tracking Burmese news when she was under house arrest for nearly two decades during the rule of the previous military junta.

Since 2006, about 55,000 Burmese refugees, most whom were living in Thailand, have been resettled in the United States. Many of them had fled nearly five decades of harsh military rule and fighting between government military troops and armed ethnic groups. 

Aung San Suu Kyi will take part later Tuesday in a Washington forum organized by the Asia Society on the ongoing transition in Burma and the challenges facing the country. Clinton will make introductory remarks at the event.

Landmark trip

Clinton made a landmark trip to Burma nine months ago in the first visit by a U.S. secretary of state in more than 50 years to begin reconciliation with the nominally civilian government of President Thein Sein who took over in March last year.

The two countries then named ambassadors to each other's capitals, formalizing diplomatic relations for the first time since Washington withdrew its ambassador in 1990.

The United States also eased investment and financial restrictions to reciprocate nascent reforms in Burma but said it will maintain an import ban amid continuing human rights and ethnic conflict concerns.

The Obama administration is believed to be considering easing a ban on imports from Burma into the U.S., one of the main remaining sanctions imposed on the country. The U.S. Congress last month renewed the ban for another year.
Aung San Suu Kyi may also meet President Barack Obama during her trip, which is her first to the U.S. in 40 years.

The White House has yet to announce whether she will meet Obama but sources say he could hold talks with her despite his hectic re-election campaign.

Just before Aung san Suu Kyi landed at the Dulles airport in Washington Monday, Thein Sein ordered the release of another 514 prisoners, including dozens of political detainees, in an apparent bid to pave the way for the U.S. to further ease sanctions ahead of his trip to attend the U.N. meeting.

Aung San Suu Kyi is also scheduled to attend a high-level meeting organized by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, a day before Thein Sein addresses the General Assembly, reports have said.

Reported by RFA's Burmese service. Written in English by Chris Billing and Parameswaran Ponnudurai.

Copyright © 1998-2011 Radio Free Asia. All rights reserved.

#Mekong security in focus as #China tries #Myanmar drug lord

KUNMING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- A three-day trial of a Myanmar drug lord and five of his top aides for alleged murders of 13 Chinese sailors in a crime-ridden section of the Mekong River in Southeast Asia last October, began in China Thursday.
Naw Kham, the 43-year-old of the ethnic Shan minority, and five gang members -- all foreign nationals -- stood trial in a local court of southwestern Chinese city of Kunming over charges of murder, drug trafficking, kidnapping and ship hi-jacking. Police investigations found that Naw Kham, core members of the gang and a small number of Thai soldiers attacked, hijacked and finally murdered 13 Chinese sailors on two cargo ships, the Hua Ping and Yu Xing 8, on Oct. 5, 2011, near a port in Thailand on the Mekong River.
Prosecutors said they would bring to court a large amount of evidence from DNA test results, autopsy reports to witness testimonies. Police officers and civilians from Laos and Thailand will also testify in court.
Though he confessed to the murders in police custody, Naw Kham denied wrong-doings in court, saying he was not fully informed by his fellow gang members of the attack.
"I did not know about it at that time," he told the court. "They did not tell me. I was only informed afterwards."
Formerly an aide to the notorious Shan rebel commander Khun Sa, Naw Kham grew his clout by re-organizing the war lord's residue forces after his surrender to the Myanmar government in 1996. It is estimated that Naw Kham controlled a militant army of 100 people and had become a figure to be reckoned with in the region, according to police accounts.
The ring was busted by a joint police operation in April. By August, Naw Kham and the core members had all been transferred to Chinese police custody.
Though the verdict was not expected to be out soon, the police said they hoped the trial would send a warning to the lawless militants in the region that they would be held responsible for crimes against Chinese nationals even outside the country's borders.
The new forms of security cooperation between China and Mekong countries, initiated to bust Naw Kham's ring, have also paved the way to improving safety of Mekong voyages, the police added.

With a length of almost 5,000 km, the Mekong starts from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in China and flows across the border to Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Businesses have flourished since China, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand signed a Mekong shipping agreement in 2000. Trade in the Mekong waterways in the region surged from 500 tonnes to about 200,000 tonnes a year over the past decade.
Wang Ronghua, owner of "Jiafu 3" ship, said a boat with 200-tonnes loading capacity can bring about 90,000 yuan in profit a month during the peak shipping season from September to January.
But the lucrative waterways were soon overshadowed by the rise in the number of crimes. Drug rings and armed militia from the mountains of the drug-producing "Golden Triangle" region at Myanmar-Laos-Thailand borders came to prey on Mekong traders. Drugs started to flow across the borders through the waterways and casinos -- some run or protected by militant groups -- rose on the Mekong river banks.
"There were about a dozen armed rings operating around the Mekong waterways at their prime. Naw Kham's group was the most powerful," said Ai Zhen, a foreign affairs official of Yunnan's border prefecture of Xishuangbanna.
Liu Yuejin, a senior Chinese police official in charge of the Naw Kham case, said security has become a major concern for developing trade in the Mekong River. Chinese police receive about a dozen armed robbery reports by Mekong traders a year.
Naw Kham's group alone has carried out 28 attacks targeting Chinese nationals traveling on the Mekong over the past four years, killing 16 of them and wounding another three, Yunnan police said.
Before the killings occurred, about 1,000 Chinese nationals worked on more than 136 commercial vessels owned or operated by the Chinese in the Mekong waterways, officials said.
Wang, the ship owner, said almost all the ships had been searched or looted by militant groups. Some of the crew even experienced kidnappings.
"The sailors were aware of the dangers. But they were really poor and some knew no other way to make money. That's why they would continue to work here," said Li Jinbo, a deputy police chief of Xishuangbanna.
JOINT PATROLS TO EXPAND
China, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand began joint Mekong River patrols in December last year as a response to the killings.
Huang Wei, an official with Yunnan provincial border police forces, said China and Laos reached an agreement to expand the joint patrols from waterways to "key spots" on land.
The patrols primarily aim to curb crimes targetting commercial vessels traveling along the Mekong River. At present, the boats are allowed to sail into Mekong waterways of the countries' territories but patrollers are not yet allowed to take combat operations on land.
Five joint patrols have been conducted in the past ten months, said Zhu Dezhong, deputy chief of Yunnan provincial border police forces.
Zhu said joint patrols had escorted 15 voyages of 89 ships in the Mekong River and helped traders recover 30 million yuan (4.8 million U.S. dollars) of looted assets.
"At the beginning, some neighboring countries still had doubts. But after we explained, the patrols proceeded quite smoothly and we made new 'breakthroughs' in every patrol," Zhu said.
He said the headquarters for the initiative was established in China, while liaison offices were set up in the other three countries to share intelligence and coordinate operations. The Chinese patrol forces are composed of hundreds of maritime border police officers based in Yunnan.
The joint patrols boosted the confidence of terrified Chinese traders, according to officials.
Huang, the official, said all of around 80 Chinese ships sailing on the international routes of the Mekong resumed regular voyages after the fifth joint patrol.
"After Naw Kham's downfall, his men threatened to launch sympathizing attacks. But now, most of the ring members have surrendered, posing no threats to the waterways," Huang said.
Related:
Mekong River attack suspects' trial opens in Yunnan
KUNMING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Six people suspected of taking part in an attack last year on the Mekong River that left 13 Chinese sailors dead went on trial on Thursday in a court in southwest China's Yunnan Province.
The trial of Naw Kham, head of an armed drug gang from Myanmar, along with five other gang members, started at 9:35 a.m. at the Intermediate People's Court of Kunming City, capital of Yunnan.  Full story
Mekong murder trial a model of regional judicial cooperation
BEIJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Six foreigners suspected of murdering 13 Chinese sailors on the Mekong River went on trial at a Chinese local court Thursday, in a successful regional judicial cooperation among China and southeast Asian countries.
It is uncommon in China's judicial practice for foreigners who commit crimes against Chinese nationals outside this country to be brought to justice before a Chinese court.

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Latest Burmese amnesty not good enough: #HRW

Activists and rights groups are responding cautiously to Burma's latest release of political prisoners, saying hundreds more are still being held despite the government's promise to release them, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement on Thursday.

Burmese President Thein Sein's amnesty came a week before he travels to the US to attend the United Nations General Assembly session. Human Rights Watch called for governments to use the UN visit to press him to release all remaining political prisoners and allow international monitors unhindered access to Burma's jails.

The Burmese government this week released 514 prisoners, and activists estimate that around 90 were prisoners of conscience.

It was the fourth amnesty declared in the past year by the Burmese government, which has also eased press restrictions, allowed greater political participation, and signed cease-fire deals with some rebel groups.

But Human Rights Watch said the amnesty falls short of the president's commitment to release all political prisoners.

The New York-based group called for independent monitors to be allowed into Burmese prisons to determine how many political prisoners remain behind bars.

Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on said Tuesday that her party, the National League for Democracy, estimates there are still 200 political prisoners behind bars. The Nobel laureate, currently on a tour of the United States, said Burma cannot have real democracy until all prisoners of conscience are released.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday that Burma still has “a lot of work to do,” citing the political prisoners that remain in detention, as well as ongoing communal unrest in Rakhine State and other ethnic areas.

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US wants open Bangladeshi border but safe return of Rohingya to Myanmar in long term

DHAKA, Bangladesh — The United States on Thursday urged Bangladesh to keep its border open to Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar in the wake of June violence but advocated their safe repatriation as a long-term solution.

A delegation of the U.S. State Department recently visited the troubled region in Myanmar where violence between Rakhaine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in June left at least 80 people dead. The team later visited refugee camps of Rohingya in Bangladesh’s southern Cox’s Bazar district.

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Burma’s Parallel Government announces dissolution in support of national reconciliation

By Zin Linn 

Dr. Sein Win, Prime Minister of ‘The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma’ in exile, released a press statement declaring dissolution of the NCGUB today. The NCGUB is a “parallel government” formed in Manerplaw on 18 December 1990 by elected representatives of various political parties, including the National League for Democracy, other ethnic nationality parties and independents.

The then members of NCGUB were members of parliament elected in 1990 General Elections. They left Burma in order to implement the results of the multiparty democratic general elections of 1990 and realizing the ardent democratic aspirations of the people of all nationalities, who had expressed their determination through the elections.

The NCGUB had been formed with the energetic support of the organizers and other elected representatives of the National League for Democracy when the idea to form a parallel government was conceived inside the country, according to the statement dated 14 September 2012.

It also said that the “parallel government” may not emerge without the friendly recognition from the Manerplaw-based leaders of the National Democratic Front (NDF), the Democratic Alliance of Burma (DAB) and other democratic forces who extended financial as well as other needed assistance.

The press statement clarifies NCGUB as the government in exile which has firmly adhered to democratic principles in democratically electing its members once every four years at the Congresses of the Members of Parliament Union (MPU).

PM Dr. Sein Win Meeting with the President of France Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris,
September 26, 2007 (Photo: www.ncgub.net)

The statement also highlights important objectives of the NCGUB saying to bring an end to the military dictatorship, implement the results of the 1990 elections, achieve internal peace and build a genuine democratic federal union guaranteeing democratic and basic human rights to every citizen of Burma.

NCGUB had firmly ensured that all its fundamental programs and policies were in harmony with the policies and objectives of the NLD which won landslide victory in 1990 Elections.  The statement also underlines that NCGUB has persistently endeavored to carry out the political aspirations of the NLD.

It says that the situation of human rights and democracy have not yet reached the goals. However, the NLD is now re-registered as an official political party, Aung San Suu Kyi and some elected representatives of the 1990 elections are now in the parliament after contesting in and winning the by-elections of April 2012, and ethnic political parties of 1990 have also re-registered as political parties.

NCGUB also gives details in its statement that the present situation permits Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected members of parliament, political leaders, and student leaders to travel freely around the country and overseas to perform services needed by the country. Moreover, many exile opposition leaders are allowed to visit the country.

“Under such changing conditions, the NCGUB believes that its dissolution will contribute to the achievement of national reconciliation which is inevitably needed in Burma as well as to the endeavors being made for the emergence of a national political program that all deserving participants can join. In accordance with this belief, the NCGUB discussed the issue of dissolution with the leaders of the Members of Parliament (MPU), which had democratically bestowed official rights to NCGUB through MPU Congresses held once every four years,” the statement says.

“With the approval of the MPU, the NCGUB, which was formed on 18 December 1990 in Manerplaw, the headquarters of the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Democratic Alliance of Burma, hereby declares that it will officially be dissolved with effect from Friday, 14 September 2012,” it says.

The NCGUB expressed its deep gratitude to the elected representatives of the 1990 elections, NLD leaders and members at various levels, and individuals who participated and assisted in the establishment of the NCGUB.

It also showed profound credit to the leaders of the NDF and the DAB, ethnic nationality forces and democratic forces who cordially welcomed and provided financial and other forms of assistance to exile elected representatives when they arrived in the liberated areas. It also expressed its deep gratitude to the leaders of the KNU at different levels, who, before the fall of the old KNU headquarters in Manerplaw had provided security, food and other needs and facilitated the travels of NCGUB members.

In conclusion, the statement puts emphasis on expressing its special thanks to the governments and humanitarian and human rights organizations which for many years have regularly supported democracy and human rights programs of the NCGUB. Its unique testimony goes to the International Center for Human Rights and Democracy Development (ICHRDD) or (Rights & Democracy) based in Canada, the Foreign Ministry of Norway and the Norwegian Burma Council, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) based in Washington, DC, the Open Society Institute and (OSI) based in New York, the Foreign Ministry of Denmark and the Danish Burma Committee (DBC), and the Foreign Ministry of Ireland and the Burma Action Ireland (BAI).

The statement says as well of the highest honor to colleagues who sacrificed their lives for the cause of democracy and human rights, like NLD members U Hla Pe, elected representative from Pyawbwe Constituency (2), Mandalay Division, and U Win Ko, elected representative of Ye-U Constituency (1), Sagaing Division, and also to comrades who served long prison terms in connection with the formation of the NCGUB.

It also expresses its thanks to all the news agencies and radio stations inside and outside Burma for distributing NCGUB’s policy statements and opinions.

Although the NCGUB will no longer exist as an institution, its members are committed to continue supporting all democratic forces of different nationalities until a genuine democratic federal union emerges, the statement says.

A short summary of NCGUB’s activities and achievements in the past 21 years was also released with the statement which was signed by Dr. Sein Win who is a cousin of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

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UN envoy Nambiar discusses Rakhine State aid with Thein Sein

United Nations special envoy to Burma Vijay Nambiar met with Burmese President Thein Sein on Thursday to discuss Rakhine State and a range of other topics, said the President's Office.

President Thein Sein received a delegation led by UNSG’s Special Adviser on Burma Vijay Nambiar at the Credentials Hall of the Presidential Palace on Friday, September 13, 2012. Photo: President's office

The talks focused on Burma-UN cooperation in providing assistance to riot victims in Rakhine State, including arrangements for advance aid teams representing Turkey, Indonesia, the United States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to assess the Rakhine situation.

Other topics included security and the rule of law being enforced in the state to prevent similar recurrences and arrangements for the rehabilitation of the victims.

Nambiar, a special adviser to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN Under-Secretary-General, is currently on his fourth visit to Burma.

The two sides also discussed socio-economic development projects including fulfilling the UN Millennium Goals.

President Thein Sein's upcoming attendance at the 67th UN General Assembly in New York, expected at the end of September, was also discussed.

Nambiar, an Indian diplomat who was appointed UN special envoy to Burma in 2010, has been Ban Ki-moon's chief of staff since January 2007.

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The Dalai Lama says reports of human rights violations in Burma ‘very unfortunate’

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking on "Non-violence and Ethical Values" at the Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, India, on September 12, 2012. Also seen in the picture is Vice Chancellor Prof. Najeeb Jung. (Photo/OHHDL/Tenzin Choejor)

DHARAMSHALA, September 13: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama called the reports of gross human rights violations n Burma “very unfortunate” and said he tried to contact pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese government over the issue.

“Yes, it’s very unfortunate. But no avenue of communication with the Burmese government is open to me. Although I am a Buddhist, very few Buddhist countries, apart from Japan, have given me permission to visit them on pilgrimage,” the Dalai Lama said in response to a question on the reports of gross human rights violations against the Rohingya Muslims in western Burma.

“In fact you could say I have greater freedom to visit Christian countries or even a Muslim country like Jordan, than I do to visit most Buddhist countries. The situation with Burma is the same.”

The Dalai Lama, who was speaking on the Importance of Non-violence and Ethical Values at the Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi on Wednesday, further added that he wrote to Aung San Suu Kyi, his only contact in the country, on the issue. The two Nobel Peace laureates had recently met in London.

“Accordingly, I wrote to her about this matter, but have had no reply. Likewise, I asked my representative in Delhi to approach the Burmese Embassy here, but after several weeks we’ve had no response. So, there’s little I can do but pray,” the Tibetan leader said.

“If allegations that Buddhist monks have been involved in assaulting these Muslim brothers and sisters turn out to be true, it is totally wrong.”

Earlier in the day, the Dalai Lama also separately met with the editors of three Urdu language newspapers.

Returning back to the University which conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) on him in 2010, the Dalai Lama reflected on the oneness of humanity in our common desire and right to be happy.

The 77-year-old Tibetan leader explained that trust and friendship were necessary to be a contented human being, which he said tends to develop “much better once we realise that all beings have a right to happiness, just as we do.”

“Taking others’ interests into account not only helps them, it also helps us. Warm-heartedness and concern for others are a part of human nature and are at the core of positive human values.”

Referring to the 20th century as an era of bloodshed, the Dalai Lama said all problems and conflicts must be resolved through peaceful ways and dialogue.

“Non-violence doesn’t mean we have to passively accept injustice. We have to fight for our rights. We have to oppose injustice, because not to do so would be a form of violence,” the Tibetan spiritual leader said. “Gandhi-ji fervently promoted non-violence, but that didn’t mean he was complacently accepting of the status quo; he resisted, but he did so without doing harm.”
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EU helping the Rohingya Muslims in Burma

Sajjad Karim MEP calling for an end to violence towards the Rohingya community

The European Parliament debate the violence being inflicted on the minority Rohingya people in Burma. Sajjad speaks up for the community and calls for an end to the violence.

Turkey prepared to help refugees in Arakan State

Tents set up for internally displaced people on the side of the road in Thet Kel Pyin camp, Rakhine state, Burma. Photo: OCHA

Sittwe (Mizzima) – A seven-person delegation led by Turkish Ambassador to Burma Murat Yavuz Ates visited Sittwe [Sittway] and met with the Arakan [Rakhine] State government last week, while providing immediate aid to displaced 

persons in government camps.

The ambassador met with Arakan State Chief Minister Hla Maung Tin and also visited Mingan village, Kyaukphyu Township, and provided medicine and bags of rice to Arakanese refugees. The delegation also provided 2,228 bags of rice to refugees in Thakkaypyin village in Sittwe Township.

Recent weeks have seen a wave of international officials visiting Rakhine State to access the situation and to determine the areas needs.

A delegation from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), led by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, visited the Bawduba Rohingya refugee camp in Sittwe, a Muslim Quarter [Aung Mingala] and the Arakanese refugee camp in Sutaungpyace Temple on Sept. 10.

On Sept. 8, a 11-person delegation led by the US Department of State Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Joe Yun, the US ambassador to Burma Derek Mitchell and UNHCR representative Hans ten Feld visited refugee camps in Maungdaw.

Officials said six houses and 122 temporary tents have been constructed for refugees in Mawyawaddy village in Maungdaw Township; 122 dwellings totaling 463 people were put up at a relief camp in the Alalthankyaw village; and 38 houses and 79 temporary tents had been built for refugees in Shweyinaye village, state-run newspapers reported on Tuesday.

Seventy-six households totaling 266 people have been constructed in the “4-mile” camp and Parahita camp in Maungdaw, said reports.

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OIC signs MoU on Rakhine State aid

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Burmese government to provide humanitarian aid for riot-hit victims in Myanmar's western Rakhine ethnic state, official media reported on Wednesday.

The signing took place after the OIC Ambassador Ufuk Gokeen and Minister of Border Affairs Lieutenant-General Thein Htay met in Naypyitaw on Tuesday, said the New Light of Myanmar, the state-run newspaper.

The meeting focused on aid to be provided for Rakhine state and participation in rehabilitation tasks by OIC without political and religious creed, providing shelters, food and utensils to both local nationals and Bengalis regardless of race, and improvement of rehabilitation and urbanization plan of Rakhine state.

In August, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who is also OIC Secretary, made the first ever visit to Myanmar and witnessed the situation in the state.

Turkish donors have donated US$ 50 million to the victims in Rakhine State to buy food and medicine, according to earlier official reports.

The report also said OIC Assistant Secretary-General Atta AI- manam Bakhit visited Burma and an invitation is being extended to the OIC Secretary-General to visit Burma and further observe the situation.

The article said Burmese officials said the violence in Rakhine State was not a conflict between religious groups of different faiths nor a humanitarian issue but was a violence conflict between two communities within Burma following a criminal act.

Fighting in Rakhine State has left almost 90 people dead, both Buddhists and Muslims, since it erupted in June according to an official estimate, although rights groups fear the real toll is much higher.

Officials said the government has been working closely with international community for relief and rehabilitation for the victims of both communities in a non-discriminatory and transparent manner, according to a statement of the Foreign Ministry said.

Burma formed a 27-member Investigation Commission on Aug. 17 comprising leaders from religious organizations including Islam, intellectuals, politicians and retired government officials among others.

Officials said that law and order in Rakhine State is improving and the overall situation there is now returning to normalcy.

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Rohingyas ‘have the right’ to apply for Burmese citizenship: minister

Rohingyas born in Burma are eligible to apply for citizenship if at least two generations of their families have lived in the country, Immigration Minister Khin Ye told the Radio Free Asia Burmese Service on Wednesday.

He said that those who met these requirements “have the right” to apply for citizenship in Burma, where many of them have lived in Rakhine State along the Bangladesh border for generations.

“Foreigners, like the Bengalis, have the right to apply for citizenship if they want to,” Khin Ye said, citing an amendment to the country’s constitution in 1982 during the rule of the former military regime.

“The requirements are that their grandparents and parents must have lived here and died here, that the applicant was born here and can speak the Burmese language, and that he or she wants to live here, among other things,” he said.

He maintained that the Rohingya, which he referred to as Bengalis from neighboring Bangladesh, were first brought to Burma as laborers during British occupation from 1824 until the nation gained its independence in 1948.

Khin Ye also explained why the government does not treat the Rohingya as an ethnic group in Burma, the RFA said. 

During the colonial era, Khin Ye said the Burmese “had no right to protect and manage our country,” meaning that the Rohingyas were never invited to stay by the country’s citizens.

“So unless they are blood-related with our people, there is no way they [can be automatically considered] our citizens,” he said.

Khin Ye said that some of the Rohingyas “have become citizens according to the law,” but said that most Burmese frequently assume that they have obtained their documentation through corrupt immigration officials.

The minority is not officially recognized as one of the more than 100 ethnic groups of Burma.  The country’s last two official censuses in 1973 and 1983 also did not list them amongst the population.

But he said he agreed with the international community that more must be done to address the root causes of the ethnic violence that shattered Rakhine state in June.

“When I met with international organizations and with the US ambassador yesterday, we never disagreed on the Rohingya issue,” he said.

“Mostly we discussed how to avoid this kind of conflict in the future and what needs to be done.”

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‘Great Concern’ Over Rakhine

Washington says it is concerned about the humanitarian plight in Burma's violence-hit Rakhine state.

who met with members of the U.S. delegation, warned them that long-running tensions between Rakhines and Rohingyas could easily erupt again.

“Since 1942 until today, there have been six major conflicts between Rakhine and Bengalis [Rohingyas], and another conflict could break out at any point. That's what I told them.”

He told them he felt the conflict was tied to Rakhines feeling that they were being squeezed out of their territory by Rohingya and other populations.

“When they asked me if this was an ethnic or religious conflict, I said it is not an ethnic conflict. If it were, there would be conflict only between Rakhines and Bengalis [Rohingyas]. But Rakhine, Burman, Hindu, and Maramagyi villages were all burned, so I think the issue is about encroaching on land.”

Rakhines have been leaving the area around Maungdaw and now the area is mostly settled by Rohingyas, he said, blaming “extremist” Rohingyas for the problem.

He said a solution he recommended to the delegation is to distinguish between Rohingya who are eligible for citizenship and those who are not, and settle those who are not in refugee camps.

His recommendation echoed a plan proposed by Thein Sein in July, but swiftly rejected by the U.N., to put the U.N. refugee agency in charge of the Rohingya and have them resettled in another country.

Government commission

The probe commission tasked by Thein Sein to investigate the conflict began a nine-day trip to the region on Friday, after having waited until the area was safe for travel.

“We will go to the places where the incidents happened,” writer and delegation member Maung Wuntha said. “Mainly we will listen to what the people have to say.”

He said a research and survey team was also currently undergoing training and would follow soon.

The commission, which counts Buddhist and Muslim religious leaders as well as leading dissidents among its members, was initially scheduled to conclude its investigation by Sept. 17, but waited to travel to Rakhine out of security concerns.

The commission’s mandate was extended for three months and it is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the president’s office in mid-November.

OIC

A fact-finding team from the Saudi Arabia-based OIC, the world’s largest Muslim body, arrived in Burma on Thursday for a 10-day visit also to look into the issue.

The organization has expressed concern about rights violations against the Rohingya and has said it will bring up the team’s findings at the upcoming meeting of the U.N. General Assembly.

In August, Thein Sein said in a rare conciliatory move that the OIC would be allowed to visit Rakhine.

On Monday, Burmese government spokesman Ko Ko Hlaing, welcomed the OIC visit as a way to clear up "misperceptions," Associated Press reported.

“The Muslim world has expressed concern ... mainly because of misinformation,” Ko Ko Hlaing said.

The delegation’s visit comes ahead of a planned trip in October by OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

In a speech to OIC senior officials on Sunday, Ihsanoglu said the group condemned the “heinous behavior” of the Burmese government against the Rohingya.

The treatment includes “the displacement and expulsion, the killing of hundreds among them in the last few years.”

“An OIC humanitarian assistance office may also be established in the capital Rangoon,” Ihsanoglu said, according to the OIC website.

On Sunday, an Indonesian man turned himself in and confessed to planning a suicide bomb plot against Buddhists in Jakarta to protest against Burma’s treatment of the Rohingya, police said Monday.

"It's related to the Rohingya issue in Myanmar [Burma]. [He] believed it's unfair to Muslims there," the Indonesian national police spokesman said.

Hundreds of Indonesian Muslim hardliners have expressed anger over the unrest in Rakhine state, protesting outside the Burmese Embassy in Jakarta in July.

Reported by Ingjin Naing and Khin Khin Ei for RFA’s Burmese service. Translated by Khin May Zaw. Written in English by Rachel Vandenbrink.

Copyright © 1998-2011 Radio Free Asia. All rights reserved.

US mission to visit Bangladesh

Diplomatic sources said a fact-finding mission comprising four senior officials of the US Department of State went to Burma on September 8 and are expected to pay a three-day visit to Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar.

They are: Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Joseph Y Yun, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Ms Alyssa Ayres, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Kelly Clements, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Daniel Baer.

The team will hold talks with government officials and representatives of international organizations regarding the role of the US in helping improve the living conditions of the Rohingya refugees.

According to the program schedule, US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan W Mozena will also accompany the visiting team during their inspection at the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.

According to sources, the US team discussed with Burmese government officials how to ensure long-term peace, security and humanitarian aid for the Rohingya population.

Besides, the mission intends to discuss the issue with diplomats of various countries to seek their suggestions for an effective solution to the Rohingya problems, foreign ministry sources said.

In June, Rohingya Muslims were attacked by police, Hluntin (riot police), Nasaka (Burma’s border security force) along with Moghs (Rakhines). Thousands of Rohingya Muslims were killed and missing by them and also many Rohingya populations were left homeless.

In Maungdaw Township, over 500 Rohingyas were shot dead, over 1,000 arrested, 200 nearly women and girls were raped.  The security forces and RNDP members used Hindus to bury dead bodies of Rohingya people. The exact figure is not available because Rohingya people are kept in their houses, so they are not  able to go out from the house to get information, said a schoolmaster on condition of anonymity.

It is fabricated report which was announced by the Burmese government that officially, only 80 people were killed, mostly Rohingyas, while 70,000 people became homeless.

Countless Rohingya Muslims attempted to enter Bangladesh to escape persecution but most of them were pushed back to Burma by the Border Guard Bangladesh. Some people were dead by sinking boats in the sea.

On September 5, the Canadian High Commissioner visited to Kutupalong registered refugee camp and observed the situation of Rohingya refugees.

Source

Rohingyas meet US envoy in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State:  The Rohingya community from Maungdaw met with US envoy in Nyoung Chaung village, Maungdaw today, at about 10:30am, according to an elder from Maungdaw.




The US envoy visited Aung Mangala refugee camp and discussed detail situation of their life in the camp and during the riots period.

“The US envoy to Burma, Mr. Derek J. Mitchell with   Mr. Joseph Y. Yun is Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, the U.S. Department of State and others visited – Shel Kali village of Maungdaw south, Shweyinaye  and Nyoung Chang village of  Maungdaw, today morning  and left  Maungdaw at about 11;30 am.”

The US envoy is also accompanied by high level officers of Arakan State government, concerned authorities of Maungdaw with Shamshul Haque and Anam, the members of Regional Development Association (RDA) as interpreters, said an official from Maungdaw.

The US envoy flied with helicopter over Maungdaw and landed at Nyoung Change village where they visited the new settlers ( Natala) village – Shweyinaye – and while backed to helicopter , the envoy met an old man in the village street  who wanted to express his willing to the envoy ,but he was unable to explain about the life of Rohingya community, said an elder from village.

“The interpreters are not giving any explanation of the old man.  But, Shamshu Islam – a  student from the village- explained the expressions of the old man  where the student got a chance to explain about Rohingya situation in northern Arakan to the envoy. The envoy asked the student about their village, when it was built, who are living in the village, is there any Mosque and school in the village and so on. “

“Our village was built since 200 years ago and all the villagers are Rohingya community. There are more than 7,000 people living and all the Mosques are locked by authority after riots. We have only  one primary school where teaches only class one to four, but now, it was also closed since June 8. Our homes and properties are destroyed, looted and burned down by authorities and Rakhines together. We are not allowed to go to the market to buy foods for our families. Now, we are facing shortage of foods and no UN, INGOs are giving us any foods, the relief goods are only going to Rakhine community. No shelters for Rohingyas IDPs in northern Arakan, all the shelters are being built for Rakhines. So, we request to all international community to help us foods, shelters and security,” said the student.

“We are facing daily harassments from security forces – police, army, Hluntin and Nasaka – that blocked our daily life struggles. The police are always arresting our Rohingyas with false and fabricated allegation and they are helping the Rakhine community to attack us.”

“I will be faced so many disturbance from concerned authorities for talking with you ( envoy) and giving explanation about the situation of Rohingya community .”

The US envoy visited Arakan State government officials and refugee camps where the envoy discussed about the situation of their life struggle in the riots since June 8 and camps to the Rohingyas yesterday in Akyab. The US envoy also met the Rohingya refugee of Aung Mangala and discussed detail situation of their life in the camp.

No Rohingyas IDPs camps in northern Arakan

Maungdaw, Arakan State:  The concerned authority of Maungdaw are not allowing any camps for Internal Displace peoples (IDPs) of Rohingyas who lost their homes and property in recent riot which occurred in June, according to an elder from Maungdaw.

“300 families from Maung Nah ( Sa OH Brang) village of Buthidaung township was uprooted  by security forces  and looted all their property. The security forces drove out the Rohingya families from the area to Maungdaw. But, the Burma border security force (Nasaka) again drove out them to the Buthidaung. Now, the Rohingyas families are staying at Nan Yah Gone (Mein Gee Si) village without any home as the security forces are not allowing them to enter to their village. The Rohingyas become IDPs in their own land. No authority is going to build for them temporary accommodations.”

Similarly, Rohingyas from Rathedaung township move to Maungdaw south, staying in the jungle or village under the trees  since last month. No accommodations are made for them by authority of Maungdaw. These Rohingyas are not able to stay in their villages of Rathedaung for their security. Rakhine community from Rathedaung are always trying to attack the Rohingyas community.The security personnel- police, Nasaka, Hluntin and army are not giving protection  to them. So, the Rohingyas left their home town  to Maungdaw where they have  no accommodations to live or temporary tents for them, said a village admin officer from Maungdaw south.

The governmental team led by Union Minister for Ministry of Border Affairs accompanied by representatives of UN Agencies and INGOs had made the field trips to Arakan State for three times, having access for the humanitarian assistance to the affected persons from both communities – Rohingya and Rakhine.

The delegations main purpose of visiting is for restoration of peace and stability and to provide the emergency relief for the affected persons of both communities as first trip on 13- 17 June and the group again visited Arakan on 27- 29 June for sustaining of relief campaign and promoting to resettlement stage, establishing and imitating the resettlement plan for the affected persons with Coordination on  Humanitarian Assistance  from the International communities and progressing the resettlement campaign, normalization initiatives between the community on 16-18 July as last visiting the area, according to Access to the Humanitarian Assistance report of U Thein Sein government.

But, U Thein Sein government didn’t provide any assistance to Rohingyas from northern Arakan and only provided to Rakhine who are not most effected than Rohingyas in northern Arakan. The authority is showing the new settler ( Natala ) villagers who were settled on Rohingya lands by government. How many family effected in the recent riot? There are only 222 shelters and 400 tents from UNHCR while 128 shelters from CARE. Where is shelther for Rohingyas who are IDPS from Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung, The reliefs goods also for only Rakhine community  from northern Arakan , not for Rohingyas, Why, is the Rohingyas are not  including in UN categories  to get relifs? Now , again, the authority is creating new IDPs – hill people, Maungdaw north Rakhine and outside of northern Arakan – along the roadside of Maungdaw Aley Than Kyaw highway with UNHCR provide tents, according to a school teacher from Maungdaw.

“Two load trucks of Rakhine from Maungdaw north arrived at Young Chang village where they started looting and stealing animals from Rohingya community of Young Chaung. The security force are not charging any action against them.”

“The UN and INGos are only providing  relief goods to Akyab of Rohingyas and what about other side of Rohingyas who are living in Mrauk-U, Minbya, Kyauktaw, Paucktaw and Kyauknimaw. No, INGOs or UN didn’t visit this place to look after for these Rohingyas.”

In Maungdaw, Rohingyas who lost their home in the recent riot, are living beside of the Rohingyas’ home and they are not getting any help from any quarters.  Most of Rohingyas in Maungdaw are going starvation for shortage of foods, Most Rohingya who are working as a day labors effected more, said an elder from Maungdaw.

Source

Myanmar in Focus: Behind the Violence (I)

Click Here Meet Myanmar’s ‘88 Generation’

Agence France Presse

Saturday 8 September 2012

Their youthful defiance of a brutal junta that locked them up for years turned Myanmar’s “88 Generation” student activists into national heroes. As the country reforms, many wonder if it will also make them politicians.
Freed along with scores of other political prisoners in January, it did not take long for the movement’s leader Min Ko Naing and his deputy Ko Ko Gyi to regain their fighting spirit.
“I want to change society,” Ko Ko Gyi told AFP in the group’s small dilapidated Yangon headquarters, which plays daily host to a steady stream of monks, activists and foreign diplomats.
But it is not — so far — a political organization, concentrating instead on grassroots activity while other veterans of the democracy movement, most notably Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, concentrate on their new parliamentary roles.
“We deeply consider what we should do for the future. Some of the leaders are actively engaged in politics and some remain in social work. We are trying to cooperate with political parties and social organizations,” Ko Ko Gyi said.
The former protest leaders — whose 1988 mass demonstrations were the greatest test of the military’s stranglehold on Myanmar — remain determined to “perform our duty,” he said, although it remains to be seen exactly what their role might be.
As students two decades ago, the 88 Generation figures raised a huge movement against the junta, with protests spreading from major universities to the streets of Yangon and then the whole country.
Reviled strongman Ne Win stepped down after several months of demonstrations, but the army kept its grip on the country and a huge August rally was crushed in a bloody crackdown that left at least 3,000 people dead.
Despite their failure to topple the junta the rallies planted the seeds of political struggle in the minds of a generation.
They also gave rise to the country’s most famous dissidents, including Suu Kyi, the daughter of independence hero Aung San.
Suu Kyi was swept up in the protests during a family visit to Myanmar from her home in Britain and soon became a prominent activist at the helm of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
Years later, dozens of heavyweights of the 80s remain at the forefront of the democracy movement. But the context has changed dramatically.
The junta handed power to a quasi-civilian regime — albeit dominated by former soldiers — in a bloodless political transition in March 2011. A series of reforms ensued that have been praised by the opposition and the West.
Suu Kyi, having supported her party’s boycott of controversial 2010 polls, decided to participate in a landmark April by-election that saw her easily win a seat in Parliament.

Mission for Rohingya

Rohingyas plead for international help

OIC sends fact-finding mission to Myanmar

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has sent a team to investigate deadly violence between Buddhists and Muslims that sparked allegations of human rights violations against the minority Muslim community.

The fact-finding team arrived Thursday for a 10-day visit ahead of a trip planned by OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

The 57-nation OIC said it will present its findings at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly.

Fighting between Buddhists and minority Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state in June left 80 people dead and displaced tens of thousands.

Human rights groups have accused government troops of committing ‘‘atrocities’’ in attempts to restore order.

A government spokesman, Ko Ko Hlaing, welcomed the visit as a way to clear up ‘‘misperceptions.’’ He added, ‘‘the Muslim world has expressed concern ... mainly because of misinformation.’’

Source 

Diplomatic solution: Zaw Min Htut (second from left) and other Rohingya people in Japan stage a protest in front of the Myanmar Embassy in July. AYAKO MIE

Rohingya ask Japan to help stop Myanmar violence

By AYAKO MIE

Staff writer

Rohingya people in Japan, a Muslim ethnic minority in their home country of Myanmar, are asking the government to help ease escalating tensions there between Buddhists and Muslims that experts warn could develop into an international conflict.

Deadly riots first broke out in the western state of Rakhine near the border with Bangladesh in July after an Arakanese Buddhist girl was raped and murdered in May, allegedly by three Rohingya youths. The incident set off an onslaught of revenge attacks against Rohingya.

Even though the Myanmar government announced emergency rule in Rakhine, human rights observers said security forces did little to stop the violence and in some cases took part. At least 78 people were killed and more than 5,300 houses destroyed, according to government figures.

Rohingya in Japan who fled Myanmar to seek political asylum here are pinning their hopes on the Japanese government to pressure the Myanmar government to treat their compatriots better, as Japan has had an amiable history with the government during its years of repressive military rule.

"If there is a government the Myanmar government would listen to, it's the Japanese government," said Zaw Min Htut, president of the Burmese Rohingya Association of Japan.

In 1998, he fled political persecution in Myanmar and came to Japan, where he was first detained as an illegal immigrant. He is one of only a few Rohingya to be granted refugee status in Japan. Of 200 Rohingya who belong to the association, 15 have been granted official asylum.

The government of Myanmar President Thein Sein is now bringing sweeping changes to the once isolated nation since it pledged to transition into a democratic system. It has made reconciliation efforts among Myanmar's more than 100 ethnic minority groups, but not the Rohingya, who were excluded by the government from holding citizenship when the country enacted a citizenship law in 1982.

The United Nations estimates that about 800,000 Rohingya live in Rakhine state and describes them as one of the most persecuted and stateless minorities in the world.

The Rohingya issue is such an emotional one in Myanmar that even opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains silent, even though the ethnic Muslim group has been a staunch supporter of the democratic leader. Some pundits say the hatred against the Rohingya has been ingrained even among the most vocal human rights activists in Myanmar.

In an interview with The Japan Times, Zaw Min Htut said Japan wields more diplomatic clout as it was never a harsh critic of the military junta, while the United States and the European Union imposed economic sanctions against the military dictatorship. When Thein Sein visited Japan in April on the first state visit by a Myanmar leader in 28 years, Japan forgave $3.7 billion in debt to support the country's nascent democratization.

Officials at the Foreign Ministry said they recognize the clashes in Rakhine state, and that the government is paying close attention to developments, but they are on the fence about taking direct action aside from providing humanitarian assistance through the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

Mizuho Fukushima, president of the Social Democratic Party and a lawyer who has worked on human rights issues, believes Japan could at least express concern to prompt the government of Thein Sein to take a more humanitarian approach to this issue.

The Upper House lawmaker has been supportive of Zaw Min Htut's human rights activities since the time he was detained by immigration authorities in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture.

"With the Myanmar government shifting toward a democratic system, more Japanese companies are eyeing business opportunities there," said Fukushima, who met with officials from the Foreign Ministry and Zaw Min Htut to discuss the Rohingya issue in early August.

"It might impact Japanese businesses if the clash escalates even further," said Fukushima, who said she will push the government to support an independent United Nations investigation into the matter.

Following international pressure, Thein Sein launched a commission to investigate the August sectarian killings. But experts warn that the clashes could get worse and have the potential to develop into an international conflict involving Muslim Bangladesh. They say mediation by a third party, such as Japan, is needed.

"It would be a great opportunity to exercise Japan's diplomatic skills," said Kei Nemoto, a professor at Sophia University in Tokyo and an expert on Myanmar, likening the situation to when Japan mediated peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the rebel Tamil Tigers in 2003. "But first Thein Sein has to agree to such a third-party mediation framework, which might be difficult."

Source 

Myanmar prohibits foreigners’ visit to Rakhine, Shan states

Photo shows an ancient pagoda in Mrauk-U

Myanmar’s Ministry of Hotels & Tourism released announcement that foreigners are prohibited for the time being to visit Sittwe, Mrauk-U, Waytharli and Mahamuni in Rakhine State and Mongla in Shan State due to prevailing circumstances there, it was learnt.

The official announcement dated March 30, 2012 released by the ministry revealed that foreigners are prohibited for the time being to visit these areas in Rakhine State and Shan State and any further changes will be announced in due course.

“This announcement remains effective until further changes are made,” said U Tin Tun Aung, Secretary of Myanmar Tour Operators’ Association.

Rakhine State is enveloped with unrest since June 2012 and therefore, the tourists are prohibited to tour Sittwe, Mrauk-U, Waytharli and Mahamuni.

Rakhine has many popular tourist attractions for foreigners and that Ngapali beach in Thandwe, Mrauk-U areas, ancient city Waytharli five miles north of Mrauk-U town, Mahamuni pagoda in Kyauktaw are the most visited venues.

Mongla is a border town in Shan State (East) and visitors from Thailand and China are permitted to step into the town with entry permits and return the same way.

Mongla is now pulled into the temporary prohibited areas due to some untoward situations there.

“All these areas are expected to re-open to foreigners in the coming tourist season.” said U Tin Tun Aung.

Myanmar Tour Operators’ Association has intimated the announcement of the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism to associate member companies.

Myanmar has areas that are permitted to foreigners to visit and some restricted areas that needs travel permits.

The restricted areas that needs permission are located in Kachin State, Shan State (North), Shan State (South) , Kayah State, Rakhine State, Kayin State, Chin State, Taninthari Region and Sagaing Region.

Source

70,000 displaced persons in Rakhine State: OCHA

A total of 70,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are living in 50 camps and temporary locations in Sittwe, Kyauktaw and Maungdaw townships in Rakhine State, as of August 31, according to an report by OCHN, the UN humanitarian relief agency, released on Tuesday.

Click to enlarge

The number of IDP camps in Sittwe is continuously falling, the report said, as the government consolidates the IDP locations into 15 main relocation camps in Sittwe.

Population movements continue to be reported. Over 4,000 people who had arrived at Thet Kel Pyin camp from Than Daw Li village in order to gain access to aid, are now reportedly gradually moving back to their village. Some 30 families have arrived in the village at the end of August.

Although the security situation has overall been calm over recent weeks, inter-communal tension remains very high.

On August 11, the government reviewed the security situation across the state and changed the curfew hours from 6pm until 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. in seven townships, including in Kyauktaw due to recent violence.

The government released nine out of 14 UN/INGO staff that had been held in detention following the recent unrest in Rakhine State.

On August 17, the Government formed a 27-member investigation commission, which comprises former Government officials, religious leaders, representatives from political parties and entrepreneurs, to identify the causes of the recent violence as well as to give recommendations.

The commission is also tasked to submit proposals for ending the conflict as well as to make suggestions for peaceful coexistence between communities. On 21 August, the Minister of Border Affairs held a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw with the members of the newly established investigation commission during which the Minister gave an update on the situation in Rakhine and urged the commission to conduct assessments in the affected locations and make recommendations for a solution.

Safety and security of humanitarian workers continue to be concern, as several provocative statements had been made in the past against UN and NGOs, fuelling tensions and hampering assessments and delivery of relief support to the victims of the violence. The Government and the humanitarian community under the leadership of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) have taken measures to address those issues including through joint visits to both affected communities, dialogue with community leaders and dissemination of information about the cooperation between the government and humanitarian partners through various channels. 

Source : Mizzima