London, 22 November 2012
The Equal Rights Trust (ERT) and the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy cordially invite you to a panel discussion titled “Democratisation, Securitisation and Human Rights in Burma: Where do the Rohingya fit in?” on Friday 30 November at 6pm – Room B102, Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Russell Square. The discussion will focus on the present crisis faced by Rohingya in Burma, and future prospects for this stateless community in the country. The panellists will look at this issue in the context of a Burma that is haltingly moving towards democracy but still unable to move beyond the long shadow of its authoritarian regime. Recent signs of democratisation in Burma have seen the UK government, together with other Western allies, easing sanctions and moving towards improved relations with President Thein Sein. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is now firmly out of house arrest and in Parliament. But serious questions have been asked of the new government regarding the continued marginalisation, discrimination and persecution of minorities in the country.
The Rohingya have been subject to systematic, state sponsored attacks in Rakhine State since June this year. In October 2012, a new outbreak of violence began. The nature and extent of this new violence together with mass evictions and forced relocation of Muslims by security forces has resulted in claims of ethnic cleansing being made by many advocacy groups. Unless decisive action is taken, the violence is likely to continue and increase, and will have a devastating impact on the Rohingya and other Muslim communities of the country, destabilising Burma and having security and human rights repercussions throughout the region.
The discussion will be chaired by Stefanie Grant – Senior Advisor to ERT and a Founder and former Director of the Research Department at Amnesty International.
The panellists will be Phil Rees, Reporter and TV-producer – former foreign correspondent and senior producer at the BBC; Maung Zarni, Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics; Tun Khin, President of Burmese Rohingya Organization UK; and Amal de Chickera, Head of Statelessness and Nationality Projects at ERT.
