Burmese citizenship- The Rohingya Question

"National Identity and Citizenship in 21st Century Myanmar" held in Rangoon Chatirum Hotel 16th September 2012.Abu Taher (aka) U Tha Aye, Central Executive member, Head of Political Bureau and Research and development of National Democratic Party for Development (NDPD) raised 1982 citizenship law leads to racism.The law is deterrent to build a national identity for Burma.So it should be amended.

The Rohingya are not officially recognised as an ethnic group in Burma, despite fact that the community has been living in Arakan state in western Burma for many years.

The area is now under a state of emergency following deadly clashes between the Arakanese Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims.

Burma denies its security forces are responsible for human rights abuses but journalists are denied access to the area.

The International community has condemned the ongoing violence and the European Union is now calling on the Burmese government to grant citizenship to the Rohingyas.

Tun Khin , President of Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK said during the interview DVB, "The Burmese government and international Community have responsibility to protect the Rohingyas.Burmese Government should have a willing to provide reconciliation between the two communities".