UNHCR chief visits Myanmar抯 Rakhine state
Web posted at: 3/12/2009 9:21:23
Source ::: DPA YANGON: United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres (pictured) arrived in Yangon yesterday after a two-day visit to Rakhine state, the traditional homeland of Rohingya refugees, officials confirmed.
揌e visited Sittwe yesterday afternoon and also visited Yathittaung town today,?said a state official who requested anonymity.
Guterres?agency has offices in both Sittwe and Yathittaung, which are responsible for monitoring the welfare of about 800,000 stateless Rohinyas living in the western state, mostly along the border area with Bangladesh.
The Rohingya are a Muslim minority group who have lived in Myanmar抯 Rakhine state for generations but have been denied citizenship and the right to own property or seek employment.
The plight of the Rohingya was brought to world attention in January after Thailand was accused of forcing hundreds of Rohingya refugees back to sea in vessels without engines or sufficient food.
A regional effort is under way to tackle the problem of Rohingya refugees seeking work in South-East Asia.
At a summit meeting of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) last month, Myanmar agreed to allow Rohingyas to settle in the country on the grounds they could prove they were Bengalis and provide evidence of former residence in Myanmar.
There are an estimated 200,000 Rohingya living in refugee camps in Bangladesh.
Although the Rohingya are not included on the government抯 list of 135 recognized ethnic minority groups, Bengalis are.
Guterres was scheduled to end his visit today after visiting Myaik Myaik, capital of Tanintharyi division in the southern part of Myanmar, where one of his projects has been implemented, according to official sources.
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