BURMESE ROHINGYA ORGANISATION UK (BROUK) 10 Station Road, Walthamstow, London E17 8AA Tel: +44 2082 571 143, E-mail: tunkhin@brouk.co.uk, web : www.brouk.co.uk Situation Update November 2013 About the Rohingya The Rohingyas are a Muslim minority from Burma. Most live in Rakhine State in western Burma. The majority of people in Rakhine State are ethnic Rakhine Buddhists. During the democratic period following Burma’s independence, the Rohingya were accepted as an ethnic group and Rohingya language programmes were broadcast on state radio. Following the military coup in 1962 restrictions were increased against the Rohingya, culminating in the imposition of the 1982 Citizenship Law, which denies Rohingya citizenship, rendering them stateless. Long-term human rights abuses Even by Burmese standards under military rule, the Rohingya suffered particular and severe repression and human rights abuses. A 2010 study by the Irish Centre for Human Rights, supervised by Prof Schabas, concluded that there was evidence that crimes against humanity were being committed against the Rohingya, including forced labour, deportation and forcible transfer, rape and sexual violence, and persecution. Rohingya need permission to marry, move from village to village and around the country, and access to middle and higher level education is severely restricted. Violence since June 2012 Following elections in 2010, nationalist Buddhists stepped up activities inciting hatred and violence against Muslims, particularly against the Rohingya. For more than a year, while human rights activists were still being harassed and arrested, those inciting hatred and violence against the Rohingya were allowed to continue unchecked. In June 2012 the increased tensions created by this incitement led to violence and then systematic attacks against the Rohingya. As a result:  Human Rights Watch has gathered evidence that ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity have been committed against the Rohingya, and that there is state involvement.  Thousands of Rohingya have been killed. Mass graves have been used to hide bodies.  Thousands of Rohingya are missing since the June 2012 violence.  Thousands of homes have been destroyed, official figures underestimate true numbers.  Hundreds of women have been raped by security forces and during attacks.  More than 143,000 people have been forced to flee their homes.  Rohingya in villages are too afraid to leave because of attacks, face hunger and poverty.  MSF has described Muslims in Rakhine State as living in Apartheid-like conditions.  More than a thousand Rohingya have been arrested and torture used against them.  Aid access to internally displaced people has been restricted and not enough aid is being given.  At least 20,000 Rohingya have fled Burma by boat and at least 2,000 have drowned while attempting to flee. Recommendations for action: 1) An Independent International Investigation The commission established by the government of Burma did not address issues of accountability and justice. It is clear that the government of Burma is not willing to conduct a genuine investigation into the cause of the violence, to establish who was responsible for inciting and organising the violence, and to hold those who organised and took part in the attacks to account. An independent international investigation will not only help establish the truth, but also help