Karen indigenous rights defender gunned down by Burma Army soldiers
The Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN) pays tribute to one of its most committed land protectors, peace advocates, and Indigenous rights defenders: Saw O Moo. He was ambushed and shot at by Burma Army soldiers on 5 April while travelling home from a community meeting on his motorbike.
His death, says KESAN, is a casualty of ongoing fighting that has broken out between the Burma Army and the Karen National Liberation Army, as the Burma Army breaks the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in order to seize territory and construct a military operation road through Indigenous Karen people’s ancestral lands.
Read tribute to Saw O Moo in English
ICC prosecutor asks for ruling on jurisdiction over Rohingya deportation
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has asked for a ruling on jurisdiction which could allow an ICC investigation into the deportation of Rohingya to Bangladesh, based on Bangladesh being a signatory of the Rome Statute.
Burma Campaign UK welcomes this step by the prosecutor. It is clear that some of the most serious violations of international law have been committed against the Rohingya and so far the Burmese military have been allowed to get away with it.
Support for Burma Campaign at NASUWT conference
Great support at NASUWT teachers’ trade union conference in Birmingham this weekend. Delegates supporting our campaign to bring Burma’s generals to justice call for Boris Johnson to back Burma’s referral to the International Criminal Court.
EU’s focus on Rohingya crisis is fading – Karen News
Karen News reports on the open letter from 21 civil society organisations urging the EU to take a stronger stand on the Rohingya crisis.
Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, explained: “We are highly concerned that … the continuing lack of a concrete response sends the wrong message to the Myanmar Army and the Government of Myanmar, that they can get away with committing such grave crimes against not only the Rohingya, but also against other minorities throughout the country.”
Stop Rohingya being sent to giant prison camps in Burma
Burma and Bangladesh are planning to send tens of thousands of Rohingya who fled to Bangladesh back to Burma.
Rohingya in Bangladesh haven’t been consulted about the deal, but most say they don’t want to return until it’s safe.
Rohingya won’t be allowed to return to their villages, which have been destroyed. Instead they are being sent to giant prison camps. Rohingya put there will not be allowed to live elsewhere or travel freely.
The government of Burma hasn’t changed any of the laws and policies which discriminate against the Rohingya, and cannot guarantee that the military won’t attack them again when they return.
The government of Burma doesn’t have the resources to build and maintain these prison camps, they can only do it with international support. Incredibly, the governments of Japan and India are providing that support. The Japanese government has pledged $3m and the Indian government has pledged money and offered to construct buildings in the camps. The Burmese government says 80 people will be forced to live in each building.
Repatriation plan leaves Rohingya ‘at risk of further attacks’ – Sky News
The agreement between Burma and Bangladesh to repatriate Rohingya refugees is like expecting 1940s Jews to return to Nazi Germany, says Sky News.
Mark Farmaner from Burma Campaign UK told Sky News: “Bangladesh and Burma are effectively playing ping pong with the Rohingya, while the rest of the international community stands by. They will be returned to giant prison camps, have no rights, and be at constant risk of further attacks by the Burmese military.”
Pope fails to speak out on behalf of the Rohingya – the Atlantic
On his visit the pope appealed to Burma’s leading Buddhist monks to combat prejudice and intolerance, but left out any specific reference to the Rohingya.
“You don’t counter racism and prejudice by backing down to it,” Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, told the Atlantic. “Already nationalists are gloating about the pope not using the word ‘Rohingya.’ His failure to use the word will only embolden those who want to expel all Rohingya from Myanmar.”
Pope speaks of forgiveness but doesn’t mention Rohingya – VOA News
Papal advisers counseled the Pope not to speak about the Rohingya on his visit for fear of a backlash against the 650,000 Catholics in Burma, reports the Voice of America.
But human rights advocates urged him to speak out. Mark Farmaner, head of Burma Campaign UK, said on Twitter: “If the pope doesn’t use the word Rohingya, racist nationalists will see it as a victory, if he does, they will be upset and may protest. Which is better?”
Min Aung Hlaing tells Pope ‘no religious discrimination’ – CNN
CNN reports that after meeting Pope Francis during his visit to Burma, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said all faiths in the country are able to worship freely.
Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, is quoted: “Min Aung Hlaing is the biggest obstacle to improving human rights, democratic reform, peace, modernization, and improving health and education in Burma.” While the Pope has spoken out in support of the Rohingya in the past, says CNN, it remains to be seen how much he will press the matter while in Myanmar.
Pope Francis faces diplomatic challenges with visit – VOA News
Pope Francis visits Burma and Bangladesh next week amid international outrage over what the US describes as the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya Muslim minority, reports the Voice of America.
In an interview with VOA News, Mark Farmaner, Burma Campaign UK’s director, explains: “If he uses the word Rohingya, some of the Buddhist nationalists might then protest and complain about that. And some of the Catholics in the country are very nervous about that because they fear that they could be targeted by nationalists.”