http://www.worldmeets.us/images/Rohingya-malaysia-genocide_pic.jpg

Members of the Rohingya ethnic minority resident in Malaysia protest

on behalf of Rohingya being killed and disenfranchised in Burma. One

of the many issues that remain unaddressed by Burma's apparently

reform government, human rights activists hope President Obama will

say something to help during his visit to the country.

 

 

President Obama Must Speak for Burma's Long-Besieged Rohingya Minority (The Bangkok Post, Thailand)

 

"The Burma government has continued to deny that the Muslim Rohingya people are citizens - even though many families have been in the country for generations. President Thein Sein famously suggested after the first wave of violence against them in July that the group should be regarded as refugees and settled in a third country 'willing to take them.' ... One hopes President Obama will use his visit to try and influence Thein Sein to make a commitment to Rohingya citizenship."

 

EDITORIAL

 

November 18, 2012

 

Thailand - The Bangkok Post - Original Article (English)

A Rohingya Muslim woman and child in Burma earlier this month seeking refuge from fresh attacks against them from the ethnic Rakhine people - who are largely Buddhist - and government forces. The Rohingya Muslims have been heavily discriminated against by some of the country's Theravadan majority Buddhists for decades.

BBC NEWS VIDEO: Obama says Burma is moving 'in a better direction', Nov. 18, 00:01:59RealVideo

When Barack Obama arrives in Myanmar tomorrow, he will be the first sitting American president ever to do so, and there are expectations that he will make a bold gesture to encourage reform and democratization in the country. The United States has already suspended sanctions on Myanmar and importantly, has removed an import ban in recognition of the political and economic reforms of President Thein Sein.

 

While President Obama will be careful to maintain a generally upbeat and encouraging tone during his visit, if he wishes to maintain the credibility of the United States as a staunch supporter of human rights, there are certain issues of controversy he will not be able to avoid. In this regard, Mr. Obama is well positioned to be an instrument for positive change.

 

Writing on the Irrawaddy Web site earlier this month, Irrawaddy founder Aung Zaw noted: "It is safe to say Chinese influence on the Burmese public is almost non-existent, and indeed, contrasts strongly with that of the United States. Washington's engagement in Burma doesn't merely involve the government, but strong contacts with opposition and civil society groups both inside and outside the country."

 

http://www.worldmeets.us/images/Obama-security-team-thailand_thenation.jpg

The Nation, Thailand

[Click Here for More Cartoons]

 

SEE ALSO ON THIS:    

Bangkok Post, Thailand: U.S. Secret Service Startled by Thailand Lizards

Bangkok Post, Thailand: King Adulyadej Recieves President Obama

Bangkok Post, Thailand: Prime Minsuer Shinawatra Remains Coy on U.S.-Led Trade Pact

The Nation, Thailand Obama Should Press Shinawatra on Thai Human Rights

 

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The inclusion after the general elections of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and party leader Aung San Suu Kyi was a monumental step forward, as have been steps taken to lift government censorship. In both the parliament and the sphere of media freedom there is still work to be done, and Mr. Obama may well address those issues during meetings with President Sein. In particular, the constitutionally-mandated inclusion of military officers in parliament and a military "veto" on legislation undermine the core principles of a democracy.

 

On Burma's political front, however, after its long isolation imposed under a repressive military regime, things are proceeding as well as might be reasonably hoped. The biggest obstacle to peace, prosperity and freedom in the new Burma are longstanding ethnic divisions, and obviously, these are not matters that a visiting American president can resolve. But Mr. Obama can and should strongly urge the Burma government to strengthen its overtures to ethnic groups. In Kachin state, where there has been open fighting between government troops and the Kachin Independence Army and which has resulted in the mass displacement of civilians, Mr. Obama should urge the government to accept the presence of international monitors and negotiators.

Posted by Worldmeets.US

 

In recent months, Burma's most worrying ethnic issue has been violence in Rakhine state which is mostly directed against the Muslim Rohingya minority. The White House has already made clear that it will press the issue during Mr. Obama's visit. An investigative report from Reuters, published in today's Spectrum, details the outbreak of violence at the end of last month. Several Muslim communities were attacked by armed mobs apparently egged on by powerful local political organizations, and were met with very little resistance from government security forces. According to the Reuters report, when security forces finally responded with deadly force, the violence abruptly ended.

 

Even assuming it has the best of intentions, herein lies the dilemma for the Burmese government, which finds itself in a very difficult position. For decades, the country has been relegated the status of a pariah state, because the military routinely used force against its own people. Now, if it fails to use force, the fragile reform process may be swept aside in a wave of ethnic division. If instead, it acts make it clear that the rights of all citizens will be protected, that may not be necessary.

 

Unfortunately, up to now, the government has continued to deny that the Rohingya are citizens - even though many Rohingya families have been in the country for generations. Thein Sein famously suggested after the first wave of violence in Rakhine in July, that the group should be regarded as refugees and settled in a third country "willing to take them."

 

Ahead of and almost certainly influenced by Mr. Obama's visit, Thein Sein on Friday pledged to consider new rights for the Rohingya, but stopped short of a commitment to citizenship.

 

One hopes that President Obama will use his visit to try and influence Thein Sein to make such a commitment.

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[Posted by Worldmeets.US Nov. 18, 4:05pm]