Women’s plight in Burma, South under the spotlight

By, Zafar Ahmad

President of MERHROM

  

Women’s plight in Burma, South under the spotlight

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999.

Published on November 25, 2007

Women of two countries, Thailand and Burma, who live and work in conflict areas, have said that they need more help to stop violence against women.

Speaking from places in hiding, five women activists in Burma urged UN human rights bodies to help them and female political prisoners to survive the brutal hand of the military regime.

“We women who are on the run and in hiding to avoid the regime’s persecution need your help and assistance very urgently,” they wrote in a letter addressed to the UN special rapporteur on violence against women.

They have been in hiding since the military junta’s crackdown on monks and protesters in September. The five women on the run are 35-year-old Nilar Thein, 36-year-old Phyu Phyu Thin, 38-year-old Ni Mo Hlaing, 35-year-old Tin Moe Lwin and May Thitsa.

“Having seen with our own eyes the military men’s humiliating and extremely brutal treatment of even Buddhist nuns during the crackdown, we have good reason to be concerned about the conditions of those women in detention and interrogation centres,” they wrote.

Nilar Thein, mother of a six-month-old girl, has become wanted and listed as a “terrorist” by the military regime. She has been detained more than once since the people’s uprising in 1988. Thein is a leading member of the ‘88 Generation Students Group.

Phyu Phyu Thin, a member of the Burma’s National League for Democracy, is also on the junta’s wanted list. Thin was imprisoned for four months after organising Aung San Suu Kyi’s Mandalay trip in 1999. She was detained for a month in May for her involvement in a prayer campaign calling for the release of Suu Kyi.

Ni Mo Hlaing, who joined a women-led peaceful march on August 22, was severely and repeatedly beaten by the regime’s thugs. All her clothes were torn off. Hlaing went into hiding and her house was raided by the authorities two days later.

The military government causes fear through its brutality and lack of mercy when quelling dissent and opposition, said a group called the Asia-Pacific People’s Partnership for Burma.

The group is profiling women political activists arrested and in hiding during and after the August and September uprising in Burma. Of those arrested during the military’s crackdown on peaceful protests led by monks in September, 106 women remain in detention, including six nuns, and a few dozen women activists are on the run, they said.

Maung Wai, the Burmese representative to the United Nations, said in October before the UN Security Council, “Traditional law guarantees the equal rights of women.”

The Asia-Pacific People’s Partnership for Burma stated in its report that “equal rights” for women means to the military regime that they treat women just the same as the men – for use as porters for the advancing army as it crushes ethnic armed groups, to beat up, attack, abuse, rape, torture and throw into jail or kill those women who are politically active and demand democracy and human rights.

“We are facing war crimes against humanity in different forms,” said Hseng Noung, a leading member of the Women’s League of Burma at the launch of her group’s report “Courage to Resist”, detailing how women activists have been hunted down, assaulted, tortured and framed with false charges.

In remote areas such as homes of ethnic groups, sexual violence against women by the military regime is still going on, she said.

Women bear the brunt of conflict elsewhere, including in the south of Thailand, where hundreds of women have become widows in the ongoing violence that ignited several years ago. About 2,000 men have been killed in the conflict since 2004.

Many women, mostly Muslims, were arrested when the authorities raided their houses and could not find their husbands, said Naree Charoenpolpiriya, a peace advocate who has been working for women victims of violence in the restive south since 2004.

The Emergency Decree allowed the military to detain them without any charge for 30 days. Some had to take their young children with them into detention.

Naree found out only recently that a 15-year-old Muslim girl is among the women detained at Inkayuth military camp in Pattani. Five women were released just a few days earlier, she said. In villages, most women try to hide from strangers even when her group made visits, said Naree, a member of the Women’s Network for Peace.

“They dare not speak out as a climate of fear prevails everywhere,” Naree said.

Subhatra Bhumiprabhas

 The Nation

Rohingya Refugees from Burma Mistreated in Bangladesh

Rohingya Refugees from Burma Mistreated in Bangladesh
Thailand Also Forcing Asylum Seekers Back into Burma

Noticias.info/ (Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia, 21 Nov, 2007) – Rohingya refugees from Burma living in Bangladesh face an increased risk of mistreatment and are being denied access to necessary humanitarian aid by the Bangladeshi authorities, endangering thousands of civilians and compelling many to seek refuge in nearby countries, Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia, President Mr.Zafar Ahmad said today.

” The Bangladeshi government is ignoring its obligations to protect Rohingya refugees and permit international relief agencies to assist with the humanitarian needs of Rohingya refugees. “
Mr. Zafar Ahmad, Asia President of Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia.

“The Bangladeshi government is ignoring its obligations to protect Rohingya refugees and permit international relief agencies to assist with the humanitarian needs of Rohingya refugees,” said Mr. Zafar Ahmad , Asia President of Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia. “This shameful situation has dragged on for many years and is now causing secondary migration flows to countries as far away as Thailand and Malaysia.”

In early March Bangladeshi authorities destroyed a large part of a refugee settlement called “Tal” which housed over 6,000 Rohingya refugees from Burma at Teknaf, south of Cox’s Bazaar, close to the border with Burma. No alternative shelter was provided for the people being displaced.

Refugees in this makeshift camp had been living in a small piece of land close to a main road with limited access to food, social services and international assistance since October 2004, when Bangladeshi authorities had evicted them from rented homes because they classified them as undocumented people from Burma instead of refugees. Bangladeshi authorities shifted part of the “Tal” camp to extend the nearby highway. Large numbers of homes have been destroyed and there is a critical lack of basic services.

Abuses by Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies are reported to be widespread in and around Rohingya refugee camps, including reports of sexual violence against women. In the two official refugee camps of Nayapara and Kutupalong, people are routinely punished for traveling outside the camp to find food or money and often must resort to selling meager rations to corrupt camp officials or outside merchants. Authorities refuse to permit permanent structures to be built in the camps as a way of encouraging refugees to return home. Children are denied access to education. The provision of health services and access to medicines is also limited by the authorities, as are work and livelihood opportunities inside the camp.

Bangladeshi authorities are also limiting access of Rohingya refugees to international aid. Aid groups such as UNHCR and MSF are only permitted to retain low staff levels and limited programs, and are regularly frustrated by local Bangladeshi authorities from instituting projects that make the camps more established and provide regular services.

“The Bangladeshi government should be helping needy refugees instead of making life difficult for them,” said Mr.Zafar Ahmad “It should work with international humanitarian agencies to create safe spaces and basic services for people fleeing persecution in Burma. This is just basic decency.”

Since October 2006, more than 2,000 Rohingyas from Bangladesh and Burma have arrived in nearly 40 fishing boats in southern Thailand, many reportedly trying to make their way to Malaysia. These Rohingya refugees and migrants have been shifted by the Thai authorities from Phang Nga and Ranong provinces in southern Thailand to Mae Sot in Tak province, and then forced into Burma, where they are subject to detention and ill-treatment. On March 10, 67 Rohingya men were forced back into Burma by the Thai military to an area controlled by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), a pro-Burmese government armed group. Most of the men have since returned to Thailand. On March 23, Thai authorities arrested another 56 Rohingya men around Mae Sot and deported them to the same DKBA area on March 24.

Under the 1951 Refugees Convention, this constitutes “refoulement,” as the men were forcibly returned to a territory from which they had “a well founded fear of persecution” and to which their return would constitute a threat to their lives and freedom.

Some of the deported men have since returned to Thailand. Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia has grave concerns for their safety as they are undocumented and without access to basic services from international relief agencies, and subject to arrest by local Thai security officers.Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia said President Mr.Zafar Ahmad called on the Thai government to allow UNHCR to access detainees and returned men to determine their status and whether they are eligible for refugee protection in Thailand.

From 4th 5th August 2007, more than 550 undocumented migrants were arrested by the Immigration Department and Rela during the operation in Selayang, Gombak , Taman Mudah, Ampang and Subang. Out of that number, about 357 of them were refugees from Myanmar Rohingyas who have registered with the UNHCR, Malaysia.

During the operation, Mr.Habibur Rahman, the General Secretary of Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia(MERHROM)and Mr. Harun, the Information Secretary of MERHROM were also arrested. Mr. Habibur Rahman managed to inform Mr. Zafar Ahmad, President of MERHROM that he was punched at his face and was hit thigh by 2 Rela officers.

Mr. Zafar Ahmad together with his wife and the Vice President Mr. Abdul Aziz rushed to the Rela Office in Batu 10, Cheras to check on this matter. They informed the officer that they wanted to speak to the head of Rela office. They were told to wait for Tuan Haji Musa, the head of Cheras Rela as he just left the office.

The waited until 9.00 am before chased out by the higher position of Rele officer. The officer shouted at them and chased them out of Rela premise. One of his officers held Mr. Zafar Ahmad ’s neck up and chase him out. Mr. Zafar Ahmad ’s wife Ms.Maslina who stood beside him told the officer to remove his hand from Mr. Zafar Ahmad ’s neck. In anger he told Mr. Zafar Ahmad “you think when you marry a Malaysian, you acn say anything you want?” They left the Rela office after the incident as the did not want to worsen the situation.

This clearly shows that refugees do not have the rights to expression and could not their rights. This incident also shows how arrogant Rela officers are.

They were frustrated as Malaysia is a member of UNHCR but various human rights violations took place especially to the refugees and the migrant workers. The Malaysian government has also signed UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the stste has the responsibility to protect both children and women within its territory regardless their status.

Mr. Zafar Ahmad urged the Malaysian government to immediately stop thr crackdown on Refugees and givr them a chance to live. Every moment they live in fear. They have gone through enough pain and suffering in their lives and have nobody to turn to.

There are currently an estimated 13,000 Rohingya refugees registered with the UNHCR in Malaysia. Thousands more are living as unregistered migrant laborers. Many are abused and exploited by unsavory employers, officials in the Immigration Department, the police and other Malaysian authorities. Much of this migration is facilitated by organized criminal networks and trafficking groups, which further endangers people traveling to other countries.

“The Rohingya have been caught between a hammer and anvil for over a decade in desperate circumstance, with Bangladesh making it difficult for them to seek refuge and Burma continuing to abuse the rights of the Muslim minority in Arakan State,” Mr.Zafar Ahmad said. “These abuses have forced thousands of Rohingya to flee to neighboring countries to seek refuge.”

There are an estimated 26,000 Rohingya in Bangladesh living in two desperate and squalid camps at Cox’s Bazaar, called Kutupalong and Nayapara, but there are also an estimated 100,000 unregistered Rohingya living in Bangladesh near the border with Burma.

Over 250,000 Rohingya Muslims from western Burma were forced into Bangladesh by the Burmese military in 1992 in a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing of Muslims in Arakan State. Since then thousands of people have been detained in crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh and tens of thousands have been repatriated to Burma to face further repression. There are widespread allegations of religious persecution, use of forced labor and denial of citizenship of many Rohingya forced to return to Burma since 1996.

Many have fled again to Bangladesh to seek work or shelter, or flee from Burmese military oppression, and some are forced across the border by Burmese security forces. In the past few months, abuses against Rohingya in Arakan State has continued, including strict registration laws that continue to deny Rohingya citizenship, restrictions on movement, land confiscation and forced evictions to make way for Buddhist Burmese settlements, widespread forced labor in infrastructure projects and closure of some mosques, including nine in North Buthidaung Township of Western Arakan State in the last half of 2006.

No bloody hands on an ASEAN Charter

By Zafar Ahmad, President of (MERHROM)

No bloody hands on an ASEAN Charter

Monday, 05 November 2007

(Singapore, 5 November 2007) Over 200 participants from civil society organizations and trade unions from across Southeast Asia and beyond have called upon the leaders of ASEAN to postpone the signing of the ASEAN Charter due to the Burmese junta’s recent violent crackdown on peaceful protests.

At the conclusion of the third ASEAN + Civil Society Conference (ACSC III) held in Singapore from 2-4 November, all participants agreed that the current political crisis in Burma must first be resolved in accordance with basic human rights standards before ASEAN’s leaders can sign a Charter for a “caring, sharing community”.

Participants urged ASEAN countries, particularly Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, to do more than issue strong statements and to take concrete action, including the imposition of an arms embargo and the stemming of the flow of resources to the military junta. There was also a call on the Indonesian government, as current Chair of the UN Security Council, to advocate the imposition of sanctions and other targeted measures, and for ASEAN to place more pressure on China and India to take concrete measures to bring the Burmese military generals to engage in a democratic process of reform.

Apart from the focus on events in Burma, participants also agreed that ASEAN’s approach to drafting a “people’s charter” had been far from people centred, with no release of a draft version of the Charter for civil society to consider and provide feedback on prior to its signing at the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Singapore (18-22 November). Any engagement that had taken place with civil society had been little more than a public relations exercise. Therefore, participants demanded that ASEAN go through a process of “meaningful public consultation and discussion” before signing a Charter on behalf of the people of Southeast Asia and, furthermore, that a referendum on the Charter be held in each member state.

In response to dissatisfaction over the entire Charter drafting process, the decision was taken to launch the drafting of an alternative ASEAN People’s Charter by national and regional civil society groups “that will embody the shared values and collective aspirations of the peoples of the region”, and which will be completed prior to the 2008 ASEAN Summit in Thailand.

Background information:
ACSC III was organized in Singapore by the following civil society organizations:

Asian Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (AsiaDHRRA), Focus on the Global South, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Human Rights Working Group – Indonesia, Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), South East Asian Committee for Advocacy (SEACA), Think Center – Singapore, and Third World Network (TWN).

There was also an ACSC III Singapore Local Organizing Committee.

The local host was Union Network International-APRO.

ACSC III General Statement (.pdf)
ACSC III Burma Statement (.pdf)

For further information, please contact:

- Sinapan Samydorai, President of Think Centre – Singapore and member of the Local Organizing Committee for ACSC III, at samysd@pacific.net.sgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ;
- Corinna Lopa, Regional Coordinator for SEACA, at clopa@seaca.netThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ;
- Anselmo Lee, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA, at anselmo@forum-asia.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mr. Zafar Ahmad
President of Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia (MERHROM)
H/P: 6016-6827287
E-mail: rights4rohingya@yahoo.co.uk

International community denounces the state of emergency in Pakistan

By Mr.Zafar Ahmad, President of (MERHROM)

International community denounces the state of emergency in Pakistan
Monday, 12 November 2007
(Bangkok, 12 November 2007) Six non-governmental organisations based in Geneva have sought the urgent intervention of United Nations Human Rights Council President, Doru Costea, on the safety of two Special Rapporteurs from Pakistan, in a joint statement issued on 7 November. Representatives of the organisations have also met Costea to discuss the issue.

Since martial law was imposed by President General Pervez Musharraf on 3 November, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Asma Jahangir, has been under house arrest as part of a 90-day preventive detention. Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders, Hina Jilani, is also expected to face a 90-day detention if she returns home to Pakistan.

Since the state of emergency was imposed in Pakistan, the Constitution and rule of law have been suspended, resulting in crackdowns against judges, lawyers, politicians, human rights defenders and the UN Special Rapporteurs from the country. A Provisional Constitutional Order was promulgated, with the whole country now under the dictate of the President.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has expressed her concern that “A state of emergency should only be used to deal with a dire security threat to the nation, not to undermine the integrity and independence of the judiciary”1.

On 5 November, FORUM-ASIA and its members issued a statement denouncing the proclamation of the state of emergency in Pakistan and the arrest of human rights defenders.

Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) echoed that “the prevailing situation in Pakistan is a fit case for intervention by the UN Human Rights Council”. The organisation is urging the Council to hold a special session on the issue.

1 United Nations, High Commissioner Alarmed about Pakistan State of Emergency

ANM/MMN Open Letter] THAILAND: CALL FOR AN OPEN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AND KILLING OF ROHINGYA BY THAI AUTHORITIES

 

 

 

 

[ANM/MMN Open Letter] THAILAND: CALL FOR AN OPEN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AND KILLING OF ROHINGYA BY THAI AUTHORITIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 20 , 2009 ANM -011-2009 An Open Letter to the  Prime Minister  of Thailand Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva Prime Minister of Thailand Government house Thanon Nakornprathom Dusit Bangkok 13000 Tel /FAX +6622803000 To the Honorable Prime Minister, Mr. Abhisit  Vejjajiva, THAILAND: CALL FOR AN OPEN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AND KILLING OF ROHINGYA BY THAI AUTHORITIES The Action Network for Migrants (Thailand) and the Mekong Migration Network, representing migrants and refugees in Thailand and the Mekong, are deeply concerned that the treatment of migrants and refugees in Thailand is inconsistent and thus does not adhere to prevailing international human rights standards. Without a coherent policy, the treatment of refugees and migrants has been left to the discretionary judgment of government officials to deal with situations as they arise.   We are particularly concerned  about the recent reports that in late December 2008, allegedly 427 Rohingya were forcefully sent back to International water by Thai authorities, whereby only 102 survived when they were  rescued by Indian Coast Guards. The others are feared dead. ‘Local human rights groups who have interviewed survivors, say Rohingya refugees from Burma, were held on the remote Koh Sai Daeng off southern Thailand in December, forced back on boats with their hands bound and set adrift with little food and water…’ Bangkok Post, 18/1/2009 – Alleged abuse of refugees probed, Thai Military Accused of Role in Deaths of Hundreds of Burmese Boat People In the same Bangkok Post report, it was also revealed that there was another incident just before the New Year, when the Thai authorities towed 600 Burmese migrants out to sea in four boats. Allegedly, one of these boats is still missing and more than 200 Burmese refugees on board are now feared dead. ANM and MMN is pleased that the Thai government has indicated that they will be investigating the matter, but it is felt that since the alleged perpetrators are the Thai Navy and/or the Thai Immigration Authority, we believe that this investigation should not be done by a government Ministry, but rather a multi-sectoral commission that should conduct its inquiry in an open and transparent manner. It is our position that the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand should also conduct their own independent inquiry. ANM and MMN also call upon the Thai government to immediately adopt the position that it will not in the future set any persons, including refugees and asylum seekers, adrift in sea. The Thai government should allow these people to land, and should adhere to the highest standards of rights and justice including its commitment as contained in the 1999 Bangkok Declaration on Irregular Migration, where persons will be ‘…granted humanitarian treatment, including appropriate health and other services…” There should be no unfair treatment.   The Thai Government must Protect the security, safety and well-being of the Rohingya who are currently seeking safety and refuge on Thai soil. They should be provided with all the basic facilities and support needed for survival in accordance with international humanitarian standards and principles.   ANM and MMN also call upon the Thai government to immediately set up a joint government and non-government committee to produce a coherent national policy for welfare and protection  to avoid  future incidents and  oversee/ monitor the treatment of asylum-seekers and migrants in Thailand   In order to guarantee the future systematic protection of all refugees and migrants, we strongly urge the Thai Government to immediately ratify the International Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees and the International Convention on the Protection of Rights of Migrants and their families (1990).   Finally, the Action Network for Migrants (Thailand) and the Mekong Migration Network implores   Thai Government to call on all governments of ASEAN to condemn and call for a complete cessation to all human rights abuses carried out by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) that remains the root cause forcing people to flee to the other countries of ASEAN.   Yours sincerely Committee of The Action Network for Migrants (Thailand) Steering committee of Mekong Migration network Cc: 1.  The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand   2. Ministry of Foreign Affair   3.  Ministry of Defense

 

Contact Persons:

Mr. Htoo Chit +66 8 1797 7745

Ms. Pronom Somwong +60192371300 (Malaysia)

Action Network for Migrants (Thailand)

 

Ms. Reiko Harima +852 93692244 (Hong Kong)

Ms. Laddawan  Tamafu +66 8 1595 1364 (Thailand)

Mekong Migration network

 

UN urged to take immediate action on safety of its officials in Pakistan

By Mr. Zafar Ahmad, President of (MERHROM)

UN urged to take immediate action on safety of its officials in Pakistan
Wednesday, 07 November 2007
Geneva-based NGOs are seeking the urgent intervention of United Nations Human Rights Council President Doru Costea on the safety of two Special Rapporteurs from Pakistan in the wake of the country’s marshal law tension. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Asma Jahangir, has already been placed under arrest, while it is feared that Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders, Hina Jilani, will face similar fate when she returns home in Pakistan.

BURMA – TIME FOR ASEAN TO BITE THE BULLET AND BACK GENUINE SOLUTIONS

For immediate release: November 19, 2007
 
BURMA – TIME FOR ASEAN TO BITE THE BULLET AND BACK GENUINE SOLUTIONS
 
Regional human rights group Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (MERHROM) today urged ASEAN to complement and strengthen UN efforts on Burma by committing its influence and leverage to secure genuine reforms.
 
In a briefer titled “Burma: Time for ASEAN to Bite the Bullet” released today ahead of the ASEAN Summit in Singapore, Altsean-Burma urged ASEAN and its dialogue partners to throw their weight behind a genuine reform process that is based on tripartite cooperation between the military regime, the National League for Democracy, and ethnic groups.
 
Such a process, outlined in the NLD’s February 2006 proposal for a power-sharing transition, would provide durable solutions for Burma’s troubles which have also affected the region. For years, the Burmese junta has staved off international pressure by claiming that it is implementing a roadmap to democracy.
 
“ASEAN should not allow the junta to use its roadmap as a smokescreen and justification to wreak havoc. It is time ASEAN woke up to the truth that the junta’s irresponsible actions are the greatest threat to Burma’s integrity and stability said. Mr. Zafar Ahmad, President of  Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia
 
The Burmese regime’s unilateral and illegitimate roadmap has only resulted in disaster for the people of Burma. More people are dying as a result of military attacks by the regime. In the past year 76,000 people were displaced. 25,000 men, women and children face imminent starvation because SPDC Army troops are land-mining rice-fields in Eastern Burma.
 
Meanwhile, economic mismanagement and rampant corruption have worsened. The sudden increase of fuel prices by up to 500% in August has driven a possible 50% of the population below the poverty line.
 
“Anyone who really cares about Burma will realize that the worsening suffering of men, women and children there happened even when foreign investment increased by over 2,000%. Giving more money to the regime only gives them more resources to inflict death and misery.
 
“Foolishly sticking to the status quo on Burma will hurt the country and the region. Anyone who thinks the Burmese regime can solve problems by excluding Burma’s other key stakeholders probably believes in the tooth fairy,” MERHROM” Mr. Zafar Ahmad.

BURMA DIGEST Magazine, Volume VII Issue XI A

BURMA DIGEST Magazine, Volume VII Issue XI A

Child Soldiers Need Mr Gambari & Mr Pinheiro

(I¡Ä(B (I¡Ä(B

Burma’s problems are not about a power struggle between a political party & a military junta. It’s about the universal lack of freedom and human rights for all people in Burma. Mr. Gambari should not be feeling elated with just seeing a few faint glimpses of hope for dialogue between NLD & junta. He, and Mr Pinheiro, should put serious efforts to stop all on-going human rights abuses in Burma; and the issue of Child Soldiers is one such important topic on which Mr. Gambari & Mr. Pinheiro need to raise a lot of questions to junta during their visits to Burma.

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CONTENTS

JUNTA’S ROAD TO INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

ENGLISH ARTICLES

ENGLISH POEMS

CARTOON & HUMOUR

VIDEO DIARIES

PHOTO DIARIES

BURMA DIGEST EXTRA

BURMESE ARTICLES

BURMESE POEMS

(I¡Ä(B.
JUNTA’S ROAD TO INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

(click below to see detail)

Attempted Genocide Child Soldiers Bloody Oppressions

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ENGLISH ARTICLES

Editorial: UN Must Take Action to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers in Burma by Tai Samyone

No More Bluffing for Mr. Ibrahim Gambari and the International Community by Prof. Kanbawza Win

Selling & Buying Child Soldiers for 20$ in Burma by Human Rights Watch

UN Envoy Gambari & Sergio Pinheiro Must Address Child Soldier Issue With The Burmese Junta by Ethan Bourne

Myanmar Child-soldiers need Your Honours! Dr Gambari and Prof. Pinherio by Dr. San Oo Aung

This is Not about Revenge – this is a Matter of JUSTICE. by Feraya

Superficial dialogue without a clear purpose is no good by Human Rights Watch

Than Shwe is a Sociopathic Murderer and should be treated as such by Feraya

Arms are Toys for the Burmese Regime But for UN Action by Ethan Bourne

Humble Advice to Professor Sergio Pinheiro by Dr. San Oo Aung

Road maps to democracy by Cedric Snodgrass

Why Diplomacy and Sanctions have not worked in Burma by Ethan Bourne

The Generals’ Ceasefire Arrangements in Burma by Edmund

It is Imperative that the UN makes a Bold Action for Burma by Feraya

Democracy, Anarchy and Transition by Raluca Enescu

Burma affect: Indian civil societies defy New Delhi by Nava Thakuria

Letter from Yangon by May Ng

China, Deal or No Deal? by Victor Naing

Those Who Deny Freedom to Others Deserve It Not For Themselves by Yarzawin Naing

Restitution to Myanmar/Burmese Citizens by Dr. San Oo Aung

Go Ahead, Beat the Monks and Kill the People by Prof. Kanbawza Win

India can afford an ethical foreign policy by Dr. Tint Swe

WHY BURMA SHOULD BE ON ICC’S AGENDA by Ethan Bourne

Inspiration and Leadership by Cedric Snodgrass

The Aftermath of the Uprising in Burma by Richard

Gen. Than Shwe Has Nothing for the People of Burma by Set Kyar Hein

The Army With Raping Eyes That Doesn’t Keep Promises by Tatmadaw Thar

China stands for killer regimes by Highlander

Trick or Treat for Mr Gambari by Victor Naing

Summary of the darkest and most terrifying Period in the History of Burma by Sao Noan Oo

Burma Needs To Fight For Its Own Freedom by Dr Bhaskar Dasgupta

Burma’s fight for democracy – What needs to be done? by Dr. Habib Siddique

Burmese Generals Need To Be Held To Account by Win Moe

How Will Than Shwe be Remembered? by Feraya

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ENGLISH POEMS

Min Ko Naing and Sangha poems in English by May Ng

Poem: Freedom for Everyone! by Nay Yu

Poem: Ultimate Justice by Feraya

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CARTOON & HUMOUR

The Same Beans from the Same Basket by David Law
An answer to Burma’s problems by Feraya

Myanmar Tatmadaw is unsinkable! by Dr. San Oo Aung

We must prevent Anarchy in Burma by Feraya

The Burma Olympic Girl: by David Law

Humour: Fun Saying by Thaung Nyunt

The Toxic Toads in a Small Dark Well by Feraya

Humour: Meaning of S-P-D-C Military Regime by Highlander

Gen. Than Shwe’s Panty Power

Funny Funeral of Puny PM Soe Win by David Law

Can an Understanding between DASSK and the Regime be reached? by Feraya

Myanmar New Currency

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VIDEO DIARIES

Andrew Mitchell & Dr Sein Win Addressed to London Demonstration

NCGUB PM Dr. Sein Win Meeting Activists in London

NCGUB Dr. Thaung Tun Meeting Activists in London
British politicians speak out for Burma

Animation: How things are in Burma

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT VIDEOS

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PHOTO DIARIES

2007 Burma Day Conference

San Francisco March & Rally for Burma

Libraries Conference & Burmese Library in Japan

Multi Religion Prayers in Japan on one month after

Non-stop protest in Bangkok

Non-stop Demonstration in India

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT PHOTOS

Attempted Genocide Child Soldiers Bloody Oppressions

Crackdown re-started on Rohingya Masses in Malaysia

 

Date 06/11/2007

 

Crackdown re-started on Rohingya Masses in Malaysia

 

We APPEAL TO THE UNHCR UN BODIES AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE PLIGHTS OF ROHINGYAS IN MALAYSIA AND ALL OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD TO FIND A PERMANENT SOLUTION.

 

Kuala Lumpur, November 3, 2007: About 60 Rohingya refugees including children, old men and women were arrested by the Malaysia authorities from Klang valley of Kampug Jawa this morning.

 

Rela (voluntary coup) and Immigration of Malaysia entered in the Rohingya dominated area at about 3:30 am and hunted the Rohingya massed up to 5:00 am of November 3, 2007. They searched house to house and opened door to door to arretst the the Rohingyas, said Noor, a Rohingya refugee who manage to escape the arrest.

 

All of these Rohingyas are recognized as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They were taken to Seminyih Immigration Detention camp, who may either be prosecuted under the Malaysian Immigration Act, he further said.

 

It is the second time of mass crackdown on the Rohingya masses in 2007. First crackdown was in late July and early August 2007 in Salayang and Ampang areas. During that time, hundreds of Rohingya were detained and deported to Thailand but some are still languishing in detention camp.

 

According to Bernama News, on the 31^st of October 2007, the Parliament of Malaysia said that the presence of refugees under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) mandate in Malaysia may have negative implications on the country’s economy and society.

It also mentioned that to address the problem, the Home Ministry and the Immigration Department have proposed five comprehensive measures, including asking the UNHCR to stop registering new applicants.

Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said the ministry might also need to go through all documents issued by the UNHCR.

 

“The UNHCR should also provide accommodation and look after the welfare of those in their care, including providing education for them. They won’t be allowed to move around on their own,” he said in a written reply to Datuk Yap Pian Hon (BN-Serdang) in the Dewan Rakyat.

Radzi said the ministry would only recognize UNHCR-issued cards provided the UN body consulted the government on related issues.

He further said that the UNHCR should work harder to find third countries for the 35,743 people registered with the UN body in Malaysia .

 

In 2004, the Government of Malaysia offered temporary settlement for Rohingyas in Malaysia . It also tried to register the Rohingya in August 2006 but failed to complete the issuance of temporary visit pass called (IMM-13).

 

“We don’t want to stay in Malaysia as Malaysia is not a party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of refugees and its 1967 additional protocol. We need to be resettled under the UNHCR mandate”, said a Rohingya refugee who declined to mention his name.

 

We appeal to the UNHCR, UN bodies and international community to draw attention to the plights of Rohingya in Malaysia and all other parts of the world to find a permanent solution as we have been subjected to humiliation and degrading treatment both in home and countries of our refuge, he further said. It is noted that the Rohingyas fall under refugee definition as they left with well founded fear of persecution for their race, religion, nationality, political opinion and cultural orientation. Their fundamental rights to citizenship were denied by the Burmese military in 1982. In the countries of their refuge, they are found as marginalized refugee that only because of their race and religion

 

 

Thank you very much

 

 

 

Mr. Zafar Ahmad

President Of Myanmar Ethnic Rohingyas Human Rights Organization Malaysia.(MERHROM)

Penthouse, Wisma MLS,

No. 31 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman

50100 Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

Mobil: Number, + 6016.6827287

Tel: +603 2691 3691 / 2697 3671

Fax: +603 2691 3681

E-mail: rights4rohingya@yahoo.co.uk

Blog : http://merhrom.wordpress.com

 

 

 

1. Mohd Tahir s/o

UNHCR Ref: No. 05/ROH/01226

 

1. Arifullh s/o

   UNHCR Ref: No. 05/ROH/01566

 

1. Elias s/o

   UNHCR Ref: No. 04/ROH/01416

 

 

1. Shabiullah s/o

   UNHCR Ref: No. 04/ROH/02231

 

 

1. Amir Hakim s/o Mohd Nobi

   UNHCR Ref: No. 03/ROH/00740

 

1. Suliman s/o

UNHCR Ref: No. 05/ROH/00588

 

1. Ahmad Hussin s/UNHCR Ref: No. 03/ROH/01112

 

1. Sirajul Islam s/o

   UNHCR Ref: No. 05/ROH/00414

 

1. Mohamad Amin s/o

   UNHCR Ref: No. 04/ROH/00317

 

1. Basamiah s/o

   UNHCR Ref: No. 03/ROH/01357

 

1. Kabir Ahmad s/o

   UNHCR Ref: No.