February 13-25, 2015

Rohingya and Human Rights

Domest media – private

Domestic Media Myanmar Times – “Damning report on government policies for Rohingya” February 25, 2014

• Thailand NGO Fortify Rights released a report titled “Policies of Persecution: Ending Abusive State Policies Against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.”
• Government official – Deputy minister for information and spokesperson for the President, U Ye Htut says that the report is based on baseless accusations.
• Government does not recognize the term Rohingya, and uses term Bengali instead (authors note: negative connotation in this case) 
• Documents on which report is based deal with laws imposed on to the Rohingya Muslim population, many stem from the fear of Muslim overpopulation in the region
  • An example of such a law is the Two-child policy.

International Media - private

Huffington Post – Burma – “Rape and Human Trafficking – Is This Burmese Democracy?” February 14, 2014

• Speaking out for the victims of rape and discrimination in this new “Myanmar Democracy”
  • The Kachin Women’s Association of Thailand reported 59 cases of sexual violence by Myanmar government soldiers
  • Shan Women’s Action Network reported 35 cases involving women and girls.
  • Many cases however, go undocumented but voices must be heard.
• Sexual violence being used as a tool to propel action against ethnic communities in an effort to demoralize and destroy them.
• The Rohingya described by the UN as one of the most persecuted populations.
• Huge lack of urgency shown by the Western world. 
  • The US has increased ties with the government of Myanmar and stands by the government of Myanmar who state that they are increasing their approaches to human rights. 
• The internal displacement of the Rohingya has left many in refugee camps, where they are not safe from the Thai immigration officials who push the refugees into human trafficking rings.
  • US & UN have called for the Thai government to “conduct a serious and transparent investigation into the matter.” However, this will be difficult when Burmese government is dominating and determined to eradiate minorities.

IRIN – Humanitarian News and Analysis – “Slideshow: Still Displaced in Rakhine State” February 13, 2014

• Following two round of inter-communal violence between Buddhist ethnic Rakhine and Muslim Rohingya communities in 2012, over 170,000 people remain displaced.
• Another 36,000 people are living in isolated villages with minimal access to basic services and livelihoods.
• Government reported that a total of 167 people were killed in the 2012 conflict outburst. 
• More than 10,000 buildings and homes were damaged or destroyed.
• In a slide show with footage of the camps, the conditions of the people and the low prospect of prosperity are evident. 

Human Rights Watch: Burma – “Burma: Investigate New Killings of Rohingya” January 23, 2014

• A call for an immediate and transparent investigation has been issued by Human Rights Watch, following the violence between the Arakanese Buddhists against the Rohingya Muslims in the village of Du Chee Yar Tan.
• Violence began on January 9, 2014 when Arakanese villagers attacked and killed eight Rohingya who were allegedly being smuggled through the area (close to the Bangladesh border). 
• A UN report suggests that on January 13th, Rohingya villagers captured and killed police sergeant. Following this, the Arakanese attacked and killed over 40 Rohingya men, women and children.
• Police authorities have orally issues a blanket order permitting the arrest of all Rohingya men and boys over the age of 10 in the area.
• Many Rohingya in the Du Chee Yar Tan village have fled following this event. 
• The lack of government immediate response shows that the Burmese government is not taking this issue seriously, even to the point of dismissing the initial reports of violence and denying the extent of violence.
  • Reporting in the area is very difficult and limited with the watch of the government.
  • The lack of intervention by the government demonstrates to the local authorities that the violence carried out against the Rohingya will go unreported and will be ignored. 
• Human Rights Watch’s investigation has led to evidence that the security forces and the members of the Arakanese groups have committed crimes against humanity in a campaign of “ethnic cleansing.” 

Government and rebel groups

Private media

Radio Free Asia – “UN Envoy Calls for ‘Trust-Building’ Between Myanmar Government, Ethnic Rebels” February 19, 2014

• UN envoy calls for greater trust between the government and the rebel groups.
• Following a six-day investigative mission in Myanmar, the UN will soon be attempting to bring the rebel groups and the government together in a ceasefire agreement.
  • Not before the government conducts investigations on various very recent killings of Muslims by the Buddhists.
  • Accord for cease-fire is anticipated for April.
• UN envoy visits the region of Laiza, in the northern state of Kachin, where he meets with refugees that have been internally displaced as a result of the reignited conflict as of 2011.
• “A critical challenge for Myanmar will be to secure cease-fire and political agreements with ethnic minority groups, so that Myanmar can finally transform into a peaceful and multiethnic and multi-religious society.” UN Envoy Special Rapporteur Thomas Ojea Quintana.

Politics

Domestic media

The Irrawaddy (Thailand based news website) “NLD Prepares for First National Youth Congress” February 26, 2014

• National League for Democracy is Burma’s largest opposition party.
• Will be holding the first nationwide youth congress April 11. 
• In light of an aging leadership population within the NLD, the goal will be to develop and expand horizons for the younger generation.
• Suu Kyi is the current chairperson of the NLD and is aiming for presidency in the coming 2015 elections.
• When democracy was first introduced to the area in the 1980s, the NLD had won the election but were not recognized by the military government. 
• The overall aims of the Youth Congress will be to have representatives from across the nation, from their 308 local branches, gather to discuss the future of the NLD both in the long term goals and the short term ones of the 2015 elections. 

Burma News International (privately-run) “The people must respect the Constitution: military bloc leader” February 19, 2014

• Issue of respecting the constitution in its current form. A complaint by the military bloc in the Amyotha Hluttaw.
• The military will be submitting a report on amendments for the constitution.
  • Section 436 of the constitution suggests that “constitutional amendments require the support of more than 75 percent of all members of the Union Parliament.” However, 25 percent of the Union Parliament is held by the military.
• A review committee of the constitution has been set up and which suggests that, “the people must follow the existing law; the 2008 Constitution is the existing law, it is the ‘mother law’ among the laws.’”