Rohingya Muslims

Bangladesh delays Rohingya refugee return

Bangladesh - Emiratesvoice

The repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who fled violence in Myanmar will not begin as planned, Bangladesh said Monday, with authorities admitting "a lot of preparation" was still needed. Bangladesh had been due to start the huge process on January 23, after agreeing a two-year timeframe with Myanmar. But Bangladesh's Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad AbulRead more

Myanmar court remands Reuters journalists

Myanmar - Emiratesvice

Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been covering the army-led crackdown on Rohingya Muslims when they were arrested on December 12. Two Reuters journalists were remanded in custody for another fortnight by a Myanmar court on Wednesday, following their first public appearance since being arrested under a secrecy law that carries up to 14 years in jail. Wa Lone, 31, andRead more

6,700 Rohingya killed in first month of Myanmar violence

Yangon - AFP

At least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed in the first month of a Myanmar army crackdown on rebels in Rakhine state that began in late August, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Thursday. "At least 6,700 Rohingya, in the most conservative estimations, are estimated to have been killed, including at least 730 children below the age of five years," theRead more

Myanmar jails Turkish broadcast journalists for two months

Myanmar - Emirates Voice

A Myanmar court jailed two journalists on assignment for Turkey’s state broadcaster, along with their interpreter and driver, for two months on Friday for violating an aircraft law by filming with a drone. Cameraman Lau Hon Meng from Singapore and reporter Mok Choy Lin from Malaysia, were detained on October 27 along with their Myanmar interpreter, Aung Naing Soe, andRead more

US targets Myanmar military over Rohingya violence

Washington - AFP

The United States announced Monday it was withdrawing military assistance from Myanmar units and officers involved in violence against Rohingya Muslims that has triggered a massive exodus. "We express our gravest concern with recent events in Rakhine state and the violent, traumatic abuses Rohingya and other communities have endured," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in announcing the punitive measures.Read more

UN visit to Myanmar's Rakhine postponed by 'bad weather'

Yangon - AFP

A UN visit to Myanmar's conflict-battered Rakhine state was postponed Thursday, thwarting efforts to reach the epicentre of violence for the first time since the start of a massive exodus of minority Rohingya Muslims. "The government-organized visit was postponed to next week because of weather conditions," a spokesman from the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Myanmar said, withoutRead more

UN chief urges Myanmar to halt military campaign against Rohingya

United Nations - AFP

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged Myanmar to halt its military campaign against Rohingya Muslims, just hours after Aung San Suu Kyi failed to quell an international outcry in a much-anticipated nationwide address. "The authorities in Myanmar must end the military operations, and allow unhindered humanitarian access," Guterres told the opening of the UN General Assembly. "They must alsoRead more

China backs Myanmar government efforts to 'safeguard stability'

Beijing - Emirates Voice

China said Tuesday it backs the Myanmar government's efforts to "uphold peace and stability" in Rakhine state, where a military crackdown has sent more than 300,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing for Bangladesh. "We think the international community should support the efforts of Myanmar in safeguarding the stability of its national development," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a news briefing asRead more

UN chief urges 'restraint' by Myanmar forces to avoid 'catastrophe'

United Nations - Emirates Voice

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Friday of a looming humanitarian catastrophe in western Myanmar and urged the country's security forces to show restraint after 400 people -- most of them Rohingya Muslims -- died in communal violence. "The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the reports of excesses during the security operations conducted by Myanmar's security forces in Rakhine State andRead more