U.S. Immigration Reform May Finally Help Stateless People
By Sarnata Reynolds Thu, 05/09/2013 - 11:13This post originally appeared on UN Dispatch.
Thein Sein Should Send Suu Kyi to Rakhine
By Melanie Teff Mon, 12/17/2012 - 10:53This article originally appeared in The Bangkok Post.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been more successful in mobilising Myanmar's people for change than any figure in recent history. Through her perseverance, she convinced her compatriots that with time, effort and unity of purpose, reform really was possible. The odds were long, but eventually she won and was proved right.
Burma Raises Prospect of Rohingya Citizenship
By Sarnata Reynolds Fri, 11/02/2012 - 13:50
In an interview with The Hindu newspaper this week, Burmese Minister of Information U Ang Kyi said that his government is attempting to address the ongoing violence in Rakhine State through the development of a "win-win solution for all stakeholders." Acknowledging that treating the stateless Rohingya as trespassers was an underlying problem that needed to be addressed, he said the government was considering a process whereby “third-generation” R
Burma's Rohingya: Beyond the Communal Violence
By Avy Mallik Mon, 10/15/2012 - 09:45On Tuesday, October 9th, the Open Society Foundations and Refugees International co-hosted an event on the ongoing inter-communal violence in Rakhine State, Burma, which has displaced thousands of stateless Rohingya. The event brought together representatives of the U.S. government, civil society, and the media to review recent developments in Burma and Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Compounds Misery for Rohingya Community
By Melanie Teff Fri, 08/03/2012 - 12:51It’s hard to imagine that life could get much worse for the Rohingya, a stateless Burmese Muslim minority group. But yesterday’s news that Bangladesh has ordered non-governmental organizations to stop providing Rohingya refugees with (already minimal) services will surely increase their suffering.
Bangladesh Breaks the Law by Turning Back Rohingya
By Melanie Teff Thu, 06/21/2012 - 13:44One of the most persecuted groups in the world is now facing more violence and suffering, yet help is being denied them.
In recent weeks, Bangladesh has turned back more than 2,000 people seeking refuge from communal violence in Burma’s Rakhine State. These refugees were fleeing targeted attacks on the Muslim Rohingya community, and refusing them entry puts Bangladesh in violation of international law.
Bringing Stateless "Out of the Shadows"
By Michael Boyce Tue, 10/25/2011 - 15:22Today, leaders from government, civil society, and the UN gathered at the US Institute of Peace to explore statelessness and its impact on women worldwide. The Institute's sparkling new headquarters played host to an insightful and inspiring discussion - a fitting kick-off for a week full of stateless advocacy here at RI.
International Women’s Day: A Stateless Woman’s Story
By Melanie Teff Tue, 03/08/2011 - 13:00
On International Women’s Day we celebrate women’s achievements and we push for further progress towards real equality. But a large group of women around the world are being shut out of enjoying any progress – women who have no citizenship of any country. Their statelessness means that no government protects their rights.
In Malaysia last week I met with Gultaz, who was 9 months pregnant and very scared. Her story illustrates the type of problems that many stateless women around the world face, forced to hide themselves away and unable to advance in their lives.
In Malaysia last week I met with Gultaz, who was 9 months pregnant and very scared. Her story illustrates the type of problems that many stateless women around the world face, forced to hide themselves away and unable to advance in their lives.
Biharis in Bangladesh: Inching Toward Integration
By Maureen Lynch Thu, 04/08/2010 - 17:06
Seven years ago a group of young Urdu-speakers claiming to be citizens of Bangladesh filed a petition to demand enrollment in the country’s list of voters. The government challenged their request, but the High Court determined they are "citizens of Bangladesh and their residence in the Geneva Camp, Mohammedpur, is not a bar to be enrolled as voters." Five years later, in May 2008, a landmark decision in the Supreme Court restored the citizenship rights of the so-called Urdu-speaking refugees and stateless people (also known as Biharis, or stranded Pakistanis) who had languished in
Burma: No Safe Place for Rohingya
By Sean Garcia Fri, 01/23/2009 - 02:00
Word is just getting out that for the past month, the government of Thailand has been engaging in reckless behavior towards Burmese Rohingya refugees. While the Thai government has never acknowledged the Rohingya as asylum seekers, they are now taking the extreme step of intentionally abandoning hundreds of them at a time in boats that they tow out to sea. Already, over 300 Rohingya are missing, with new reports coming out every few days of new groups that have been pushed out by the Thai government.
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Refugees International (RI) advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises.
We are an independent organization, and do not accept any government or UN funding.
We are an independent organization, and do not accept any government or UN funding.