Thursday, 16 January 2014

Brutality Beyond Belief - Rohingya hunted like vermin

Remains of fire at Rohingya IDP camp in Pauktaw, 16 Jan 2014
Authorities report as an accidental fire. Husband and wife arrested.
Every time police commit atrocities, a fire is started elsewhere as a distraction.



After years of propaganda and dehumanisation, the acts of brutality towards the Rohingya are almost beyond belief.

A story is beginning to piece together of terrible atrocities that have happened this week in the village of Duchiradan (also known as KilaDong) in the township of Maungdaw, beginning on Sunday 12th December, that includes amongst other things reports of Rohingya taken as slaves, tied up, killed, chopped into pieces and dumped in the gutter, then starting the night of 13th and running through 14th January, women who were raped and had their breasts cut off before they were killed, a grandmother age 103 years old and her grandchildren slaughtered before the eyes of the police, as well as sweeping arrests of men, women and children of all ages. Now we are hearing many more people were indeed killed in that village and there are reports of dead bodies being taken away by the secuirty forces in trucks to be buried.

The full details of the story are here:
http://www.rohingyablogger.com/2014/01/duchiradan-village-deserted-after.html

SHOCKING UPDATE HERE (out on 17th Jan needs investigating):
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1rvtcte

Authorities burying dead bodies:
http://www.kaladanpress.org/news/341-news2014/january2014/4426-authority-restricts-to-enter-kila-dong-to-hide-rohingya-dead-bodies

Other villages threatened:
http://www.rohingyablogger.com/2014/01/rohingya-villages-administrators-heads.html

I have checked on sources. They are credible. Can't say more here as we need to protect them.

News is now emerging of sitings of lorries taking corpses away, no doubt to bury quickly in a mass grave well hidden somewhere (as has taken place before). We are investigating the exact location.

http://www.rvisiontv.com/updates-on-military-assault-on-rohingya-village-more-than-50-rohingyas-believed-to-have-massacred-around-100-missing-many-women-raped/

The Rohingya are still being hunted even now by security forces. Women, children and the elderly have taken shelter in nearby villages but the authorities have ordered that shelter not be provided.
http://www.kaladanpress.org/news/341-news2014/january2014/4423-security-forces-still-hunting-villagers-in-maungdaw

The exact number of dead is difficult to quantify. We know there are many Rohingya now in prison, of all ages, both men, women and children, where they will be undergoing further unimaginable brutality even now as they are tortured into making false confessions.

Following the attack village leaders of surrounding villages were arrested for a short period and threatened:
http://www.rohingyablogger.com/2014/01/rohingya-villages-administrators-heads.html
On the 17th February we heard news that the village of Baggona was to be raided that night.
http://www.rvisiontv.com/updates-on-military-assault-on-rohingya-village-more-than-50-rohingyas-believed-to-have-massacred-around-100-missing-many-women-raped/
Farmland had been destroyed there two days before:
http://www.rohingyablogger.com/2014/01/rakhine-extremists-destroy-vegetable.html
In the evening security foces and thugs carrying swords surrounded the area, but after much publicity it appears that the raid was called off and the Rohingya were spared, for now.

Further reports from earlier, as the story was emerging, are below:

http://www.restlessbeings.org/projects/rohingya/violence-looms-large-over-arakan
http://www.kaladanpress.org/news/341-news2014/january2014/4420-security-force-roundup-rohingya-village-rakhine-loot-belongings
http://www.kaladanpress.org/news/341-news2014/january2014/4421-arrested-villagers-divide-into-two-groups
http://www.rvisiontv.com/breaking-news-a-whole-rohingya-village-under-the-assaults-of-authority-military-and-security-force-open-fire-plunder-the-village-and-carry-out-mass-arrests-say-locals/
https://soundcloud.com/rohang-3/interview-with-rohingya
http://www.rohingyablogger.com/2014/01/police-and-rakhines-loot-and-rape-3.html
http://www.rohingyablogger.com/2014/01/press-release-aru-appeals-government-of.html

The build up of hatred in the Maungdaw area, including the 969 group visiting to spread their propaganda at the end of December, can be seen here:
http://www.rvisiontv.com/?s=maungdaw&submit=Search

On the 15th January the well known government propaganda newspaper Eleven Myanmar put out a call for militias in the area:
http://elevenmyanmar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4724:maungdaw-residents-call-for-militias-in-every-village&catid=44&Itemid=384 

I write that the brutality is almost beyond belief, but we know very similar acts happened before in June 2012, in October 2012 and in March 2013 (the March event happened to Muslims in Meiktila, not the Rohingya, but was very similar in nature). In addition, there have been other smaller but still horrific acts over the past year of villages being burnt, property destroyed, women raped and men hacked to death.

On the 16th Januarya at the Rohingya IDP camp at Pauktaw, a huge fire broke out. Apparently this was accidental and as always the police were quick to arrest a Rohingya man in whose shelter it began. There are now hundreds without shelter and burn injuries too. Although this fire has been clearly reported as accidental, the feeling is that this has happened too many times now for it to be coincidence. On previous occasions when news has been breaking of clear atrocities committed by the Burmese security forces, similar accidental fires have broken out which have acted as a huge distraction.
http://www.rohingyablogger.com/2014/01/sintetmaw-rohingya-refugees-camp-caused.html

The photos of the fire were stunning. We feared that they would take all the media attention and every effort from the ngos in the area to clean up, ensuring little attention was paid to the ongoing crimes taking place elsewhere. I have added one photo to this post to capture your attention, but the fire is not the real story, the ongoing crime against humanity taking place at Duchiradan (Kiladong) is the real story, and we have ensured that is where they eyes of the world are watching..

The Burmese government are denying all allegations. This was to be expected, the eighth stage of genocide is denial.
http://www.learning4u2.com/HAL/Independent%20study%20pages/Anne_Frank/Genocide%20Watch.pdf

 

Government Statements

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14178&LangID=E
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/burma/895/pdf/maungdaw-joint-mission-statement_1172014.pdf 

 

Media Updates

16 Jan
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/buddhist-mob-kills-more-than-a-dozen-rohingya-muslims-in-myanmar-rights-group-1.1641945

17 Jan 2014
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25778464
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2014/01/rohingya-deaths-denied-myanmar-government-2014117144738400365.html
http://world.time.com/2014/01/17/reports-of-rohingya-massacre-as-asean-ministers-meet-in-burma/
http://www.todayszaman.com//news-336893-us-urges-myanmar-to-probe-attacks-on-muslims-after-60-killed.html
http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1407707/buddhist-mob-may-have-killed-dozen-muslims-myanmar-rights-group

 

The world knows this is happening.

The media has actually reported on what is happening to the Rohingya, although it has not been given prime time viewing slots nor made main headlines. There are 76 videos here that give you an understanding of how this genocide has evolved:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7f_rHUnK_tiXjsLfKzq9FTGnXuyu4s5e&feature=mh_lolz

Human Rights Watch have produced a number of reports documenting crimes against humanity.
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2013/04/22/all-you-can-do-pray-0
http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/07/31/burma-government-forces-targeting-rohingya-muslims-0
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2012/07/31/government-could-have-stopped
http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/18/bridge-too-far-obama-crossed-too-early-myanmar
http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/17/burma-satellite-images-show-widespread-attacks-rohingya
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2009/05/26/perilous-plight-0

Physcians for Human Rights produced a detailed report on the violence at Meiktila in March 2013.
http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/library/reports/meiktila-report-may-2013.html

The world knows what is happening, yet absolutely no action has been taken to stop this genocide since June 2012 when these attacks began, despite the Rohingya frequently calling for UN peacekeepers on the ground and international commissions of inquiry to be undertaken. This genocide has to end. The UN must act, but will only do so when we all raise our voices.

Please call for an urgent UN inquiry here:

http://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/adviser/contactform.asp?address=1

Please also write to your local politician and media to alert them to this matter. Every voice is needed and makes a difference. Thank-you.

For more information and contacts to interview please tweet the following people:
https://twitter.com/nslwin
https://twitter.com/RohingyaVision
https://twitter.com/Sthumoe

You can find me here:
https://twitter.com/JamilaHanan

Please also follow for updates direct from Burma:
https://twitter.com/aungaungsittwe



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Monday, 6 January 2014

Rohingya Boys Being Tortured

Rohingya boy tied up by police in the Arakan state of Burma in October 2013.

Two Rohingya boys were arrested on 31st December under the false accusation of murdering a police officer. It is known that some Rohingya did get involved in a fight during that period but they deny hitting the policeman who allegedly died from the attack (it was previously reported by the Rohingya that the policeman who is reported as being killed was actually a good man who was liked by the Rohingya, so there is some suspicion over this reported death as to how it actually happened), however those people involved in that incident have since fled and these boys are in no way related to them or the incident.

The two boys are Muhammad Karim age 14 (originally reported as age 13 but later confirmed as age 14) son of Elyas and Amir Husan son of Shukur age 16 (originally reported as age 12 but later confirmed as age 16) . They are understood be be from Thichaung Village. They were visiting family in Bodhuba village, very close to the cemetery where an incident with the police occured, which they had nothing to do with.

They are being held at Sittwe (number 1) police station. It is reported that they are being tortured and are left alone in a cold room without clothes. They need urgent help.

Details received over Twitter from @aungaungsittwe are as follows:






We are requesting urgent help to save these two boys. If you are an authority please do what you can and also call Sittwe police station to request the urgent release of these boys. If you are a member of the public please contact your own politicians, media and organisations to ask them to raise an urgent alert to release these boys and call for an inquiry, and also to call the Burmese government to cease their state persecution of the Rohingya.

You may also wish to contact the UN to call for an urgent commission of inquiry into the genocide of the Rohingya by filling in the form here http://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/adviser/contactform.asp?address=1
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Saturday, 23 November 2013

Letter to the OIC: Evacuate the Rohingya from Burma

24th November 2013

Dear Members of the OIC,

I am writing to you regarding the Rohingya in Burma/Myanmar. I have been campaigning for them every day since June 2012 when they experienced the first round of terrible violence, when many were killed, thousands of homes were burnt and thousands of innocent people were driven from their land.

During that time my friend and I interviewed a Rohingya village leader via telephone. His village was surrounded by devastation and he pleaded with us to save his people and to send food as they had completely run out, and to send medical help as people were dying from untreated injuries.

We tried desperately to get the world to wake up to what was happening. When I told people that a genocide was taking place, I was warned that I was going to ruin my reputation, because that is not a thing you can go around saying.

In October 2012 I made friends with another Rohingya on the ground who had managed to acquire a phone and was learning how to use Twitter. He tweeted daily events from a camp, since he had just been driven from his home, which was not actually destroyed but authorities said he had to leave and he was never allowed to return. In the weeks that followed he tweeted details of terrible events as they unfolded. He sent reports of thousands more homes that were burning and thousands more innocent Rohingya fleeing to sea, where hundreds drowned or died in boats as they were not allowed to land for days.

It has been a traumatic time since then. Almost every day I have learnt of new atrocities. Hardly a day goes by when we don't hear of another innocent person wrongfully arrested, tortured, never to be seen again, or brutally slaughtered, or raped, or drowned at sea, or dying from starvation or untreated disease. The level of persecution is unimaginable and it is relentless. Day after day, month after month, the attempt to eliminate the Rohingya entirely from their country continues.

Delegations have come and gone. Politicians and ambassadors have expressed words of deep concern. Millions of dollars have been handed to the Burmese government to assist with the situation. However, very little of this funding actually gets through to the Rohingya. Still they are starving and dying from disease, not due to lack of aid, but due entirely to blocked aid and prohibited care.

Should you think to research the topic of genocide, you will quickly come to realise that what is happening in the state of Arakan towards the Rohingya (although Kaman Muslims and Burmese Muslims across the country have also been targeted) has all the characteristics of a textbook case of genocide. Professor William Schabas, former president of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, says (with regard to the Rohingya’s position):

"When you see measures preventing births, trying to deny the identity of the people, hoping to see that they really are eventually, that they no longer exist; denying their history, denying the legitimacy of their right to live where they live, these are all warning signs that mean it's not frivolous to envisage the use of the term genocide."

Something else you will also learn is that genocide is always political, and does not happen by chance, it is planned.  I encourage you all to watch the documentary 'Genocide: Worse than War' by Daniel Goldenhagen for greater insight into why and how genocide takes place, and what, if anything, you can do to stop it.

http://youtu.be/w7cZuhqSzzc

The elimination of the Rohingya from Burma is not a simple case of an escalation of hatred. The escalation of hatred is a result of carefully planned and targeted propaganda. The rise of the 969 group is not a simple case of rising intolerance but rather a criminal organisation that is paid to carry out the work of the genocidal masterminds.

The situation for the Rohingya, despite the many delegations, deep concern, and no doubt bribes (ie. aid), has not improved. Rather it has got worse, and continues to deteriorate. The level of persecution against the Rohingya is such that no human being on this earth could tolerate and so increasingly they are faced with no option but to try and flee the country. Thousands are taking to rickety boats knowing that there is a high probability that they will drown, but that is preferable to staying on the land to suffer a long drawn out death through starvation, or disease, under constant fear of torture, slaughter or rape, to themselves, or worse still to their loved ones.

Muslims around the world are horrified at the unfolding of events and feel powerless as we hear and see many reports of intolerable affliction. Everyone is looking for leadership and decisive action to alleviate the  suffering of these desperate people. The concept of the 'Muslim Ummah' has sadly become little more than a topic of ridicule.

When I began campaigning for the Rohingya I had hope that when the world saw what was happening, UN forces would be sent to protect these people, who are officially the world's most persecuted minority. Yet not one country has called for such protection, instead choosing to believe the lies of 'reform' since that sits more comfortably with 'national interests'.

It is now apparent that no-one is going to protect the Rohingya. The Burmese regime  is well aware that they can continue their crimes with impunity. The Rohingya are therefore being left to die, fast or slow, one way or another, they are being wiped from the land. They are under the very real threat that a third wave of violence will be unleashed against them any day that really could see the Rohingya suffer complete and total destruction. But the alternative to a wave of violence is that of deprivation of food, medicine, education and access to communications which would eventually result in the same outcome.

This week I called a Rohingya man in Burma, who I had been told spoke English, but when I called him I could not understand his words, nor him mine. So I just listened to his heart instead. He cried like I have never heard anyone cry in my life. He begged for help. I searched desperately for some words that he might recognize, and so I recited Surah Al-Fatihah so that he might understand we are one, and his suffering is also mine. What he was pleading, I learnt afterwards, was for the 57 countries of the OIC to take them away from there, because that would be better than what they are suffering now. You can listen to the recording here:

https://soundcloud.com/jamila-hanan/desperate-rohingya-man-crying

The Rohingya belong in the state of Arakan in Burma. They have lived there for centuries. They deserve to stay there and be protected. But no one is going to protect them, that fact is now clear. I therefore request that you give careful consideration to the possibility of evacuating all of the Rohingya from their homeland, as that is perhaps the only option left, should you really wish to save these, our brothers and sisters.

When considering the protection of a child at risk, it is always desirable to leave children with their parents wherever possible. The exception comes when that child's life is at extreme risk. In this case all other considerations must come second - the removal of the child from the immediate danger is the priority. Right now there are literally hundreds of thousands of children's lives at very serious risk of death. At any time now a third attack may be unleashed and at that stage the opportunity to act will have passed.

I therefore recommend that all member countries of the OIC act with urgency to send large naval ships to evacuate all of the Rohingya that wish to do so. I would expect the Burmese government to welcome such a proposal, as that was Thein Sein's original and only 'solution' when this started in 2012. I realise that the Burmese regime may then think that is their victory. But firstly I would like to point out that saving the Rohingya lives should be the very first consideration. Secondly, the matter of justice can be addressed once the Rohingya have been removed from the immediate danger. Thirdly, I must emphasize that the removal of the Rohingya, a very gentle and peace loving community, would actually be a great loss to Burma and a gain to any country that would welcome them. The Rohingya have so much to teach any society regarding endurance, perseverance, and gratitude of the simple things in life that we all take for granted.

Since the Rohingya are surrounded by people who hate them and want them dead, and the Burmese government would clearly not co-operate with a peace keeping force even if any country might suggest such (which they haven't), I do not think that protecting the Rohingya whilst they remain in Burma is now feasible.

Official figures suggest that there may be up to 1 million Rohingya living in Burma. I suspect that many more Rohingya have either died or have been driven out to sea over the past year than people realise so the actual figure may not be anything like that number now.

If each OIC country was to take in 10,000 Rohingya and offer them help to relocate and restart their lives, that would accommodate 570,000 people. I suspect this may suffice. Some people will naturally want to stay, but at least Muslim nations should give those that want to leave a way to do so? Surely that is better than watching them die?

I am pleading with you on behalf of the Rohingya man who pleaded with me on the telephone to take this request to the OIC. Please give this option careful consideration, urgently, before it is too late, as it may be the only option if the Rohingya are to be saved. Thank-you.

Yours faithfully,

Jamila Hanan
@jamilahanan
Human Rights Defender
http://savetherohingya.blogspot.com

jamilahanan1@gmail.com
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Friday, 28 June 2013

Why the Rohingya are being killed and what you can do to help them

This is my recent podcast with Walid from Greed For Ilm. I talk about why I act for the Rohingya, why they are being killed, and what anyone can do to help them (including you). Thank-you for all the lovely feedback I have had following this interview.

http://greedforilm.com/episode15/

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Monday, 13 May 2013

Cyclone Mahasen threatens lives of tens of thousands of displaced Rohingya

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cyclone Mahasen threatens lives of tens of thousands of displaced Rohingya Muslims in Burma’s Arakan State

Government of Burma must ensure freedom of movement and urgently protect all IDPs in flood plains

(May 13, 2013, Oslo, Norway)—The government of Burma should urgently facilitate the relocation of tens of thousands of at-risk, internally displaced Rohingya to higher ground before the arrival of heavy rains from an approaching cyclone, Partners Relief and Development (Partners) said today. At least 140,000 internally displaced Rohingya Muslims are sheltering in official and makeshift camps in Burma’s Arakan State, many of which are located in flood-prone areas. Cyclone “Mahasen” is expected to reach landfall on Wednesday or Thursday this week, potentially affecting populations in Burma, Bangladesh, and India. The government has not evacuated any displaced Rohingya out of squalid, low-lying displacement camps in areas outside Sittwe.
“These people are bracing themselves for the storm. They expect their area to flood and shelters to be blown flat by high winds,” says Partners CEO, Steve Gumaer, who is currently in affected areas in Arakan State. “They are fighting for their lives against the sea, rain, wind, and a government that has persecuted them for decades.” 
For several months, the local and central government have received warnings from the UN agencies, governments, and rights groups about the upcoming monsoon season and the need to evacuate the IDPs to higher ground. The authorities have been warned numerous times about the approaching cyclone and the devastating effect it will have. There is no sign that any measures have been taken to aid the Rohingya IDPs outside Sittwe to higher ground, Partners said. Nearly 20,000 Rohingya IDPs in Pauktaw are particularly at risk, as well as IDPs in Myebon.
“The central government is not absolved of responsibility in this situation. The authorities seem intent on killing these people one way or another,” said Gumaer.
The authorities restrict the Rohingyas’ freedom of movement, which could be fatal if the camps are flooded and natural disaster strikes.
“There has been no action taken to evacuate these people and no indication they will be free to flee if this storm strikes,” Gumaer said. “It is essential the government ensures everyone has freedom of movement in Arakan State.”
Partners said sizable groups of the displaced Rohingya outside Sittwe had not eaten for four days because they are technically “unregistered IDPs.” Only registered IDPs are given food rations by the UN’s World Food Programme, leaving thousands without adequate or steady rations. At least 7,000 Muslims in Aung Mingalar, the last Muslim village in the state capital Sittwe, have also been denied humanitarian aid. Tens of thousands of displaced lack adequate health care, latrines, shelter, clothing, and other necessities.

Numerous educated Rohingya and community leaders have been arrested in areas surrounding Sittwe since April 26, including children. Partners documented systematic torture of Rohingya detainees and denial of due process rights. The systematic abuse, neglect, and failure to protect 140,000 civilians from natural disaster, while denying food rations and other international aid to tens of thousands, is a violation of basic human rights. Partners calls on the Government of Burma to immediately evacuate all at-risk populations, especially Rohingya IDPs from the potential disaster zone; to authorize food rations to all IDPs; and to give international and national aid organizations free access to the areas where thousands are living in subhuman conditions. 

Partners Relief & Development (PRAD) is a registered charity in six countries. The work of Partners has provided emergency relief and sustainable development for tens of thousands of displaced people in Burma since 1994. PRAD seeks free, full lives for the children of Burma and reconciled communities living in peace.

For additional information or photographs, please contact: oddny@partnersworld.org

Background Information

Some 800,000 to one million Muslim Rohingyas live in western Burma, where they are denied basic rights and citizenship, rendering them stateless. They have been described by the UN as one of the world’s most persecuted minorities. Since violence broke out in Arakan State in June 2012 between Arakanese Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims—aided by state security forces— at least 140,000 Rohingyas have taken refuge in displacement camps after their villages were destroyed. Tens of thousands of others have fled the country by sea, risking death. 

The Rohingya have lived under systematic racial discrimination by the authorities for decades. They were forced to flee horrific violence before ending up in makeshift camps by the sea where they lack everything from medical facilities, latrines, shelters, blankets and regular food distribution. Now a tropical cyclone threatens to kill them unless they get immediate help to evacuate.
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Wednesday, 24 April 2013

Press release from Partners Relief: Burma's participation in violence against Rohingya

Partners Relief & Development
Oslo, Norway
humanrights@partnersworld.org
www.partnersworld.org
Media contacts: Mrs. Oddny Gumaer +47 904 012 17 (Norway)

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Burma’s government is actively participating in violence against the Rohingya people in
Western Burma

More than 120,000 people are still in desperate need of emergency relief.

(April 24, 2013, Oslo, Norway) This week the international organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) published a report that highlights gross human rights abuses and possible ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people in Western Burma (Myanmar).

Partners Relief & Development (PRAD) confirms that HRW’s claims are in line with what Partners’ staff has seen and heard in Arakan state.

Partners founder and advocacy officer, Oddny Gumaer, has interviewed more than 30 people who in some ways have been the victims of the violence in Arakan state over the last year. “The stories testify of horrific acts of violence where not even children were spared. They confirm that both the police and army officials participated in the violence. They speak of unlawful arrests, torture and rape. They are a testimony from a people who are living in hopeless despair,” says Oddny Gumaer.

“A woman I talked to broke down crying uncontrollably after she told us of the massacres of her 29 relatives, among them her seven children and 18 grandchildren.”

PRAD wants to support Human Rights Watch in demanding that there must be an immediate change in Arakan state. The Burma government must immediately investigate the acts of violence, and the offenders must be brought to justice. The Rohingya people must be given the citizenship they lost in 1982 back. Humanitarian aid organizations must get free access to the areas in greatest need. “The humanitarian situation is close to a catastrophe,” says Gumaer who was in the area in March. “People lack everything from food and medicine to tarps and blankets.”

Partners also wants to encourage the international community to take this situation seriously and reconsider if financial investments in the nation of Burma is justifiable as long as the government is not able to put and end to the serious human rights abuses against the Rohingya people.

Partners Relief & Development (PRAD) is a registered charity in six countries. The work of Partners has provided emergency relief and sustainable development for tens of thousands of displaced people in Burma since 1994. PRAD seeks free, full lives for the children of Burma and reconciled communities living in peace.

For additional information or photographs, please contact: oddny@partnersworld.org

Please also read this update on Oddny's blog: When your only goal is to die.
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Tuesday, 16 April 2013

New Year. No 3rd Rohingya Massacre. But...

Wednesday 17th April is the Burmese Buddhist New Year. Today is Tuesday 16th April, the last day of the Thingyan, the Water Festival, when evil is traditionally washed away. A third massacre of the Rohingya was predicted to take place even before or during the water festival.


So far this third massacre of the Rohingya has not happened. This is a huge success. It is not often when struggling for human rights we get the chance to celebrate our victories. But I feel if we can reach the Burmese New Year without a third massacre that is a moment worth celebrating.

Over the past few days during the water festival there were 3 homes reported as burnt in the township of Maungdaw. However the military quickly stepped up security and it does appear that this time they were following orders to protect, rather than stand by and let violence spread before their eyes as has taken place on previous occasions. No doubt these orders came as a result of increased international pressure, which has come about as a direct result of our online campaign. Thank you all, you are helping save lives, property, and unimaginable suffering!

In addition to 3 homes being burnt, for which a Rohingya lady was wrongly arrested (further details of one of the houses here), over the past few days of the Water Festival there have been reports of a father and son being hacked and denied medical treatment at the nearby hospital, 1 Rohingya man shot and killed and another 3 injured whilst collecting bamboo, 5 Rohingya arrested and tortured after they were caught scavenging for leaves to eat, 4 Rohingya never returning after fishing, a Rohingya man beaten by police and trishaw confiscated, a return of the census operation whereby Rohingya are forced to sign as illegal Bengali immigrants, a report of further extortion by police, the mother of two Rohingya children that died in a tent fire accident due to cooking was arrested, the closing down of an abattoir in the name of animal rights but actually known to be further cutting off all Rohingya supplies of food, and an attempt to stone a mosque. All these events are common types of occurrence and these types of incidents have been reported on a weekly and sometimes daily basis since the first attack last June.

Of urgent concern now is the imminent risk of flooding. In approximately 6 weeks time the rains will arrive in Burma. At least 20,000 Rohingya are known to be currently camped out in paddy fields which will be flooded in the monsoon. The Burmese government have stated that there are no plans to move the Rohingya. It is understood that some shelters are now being built on the site of flood plains, without drainage. Urgent international intervention is now needed to prevent further human tragedy and massive loss of life.

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