Myanmar civil bodies want ‘truly independent’ probe in Rakhine state attack

More than 40 Myanmar-based civil society organisations today called for a “truly independent” international investigation into the situation in Rakhine State, where state-sponsored attacks against Rohingya Muslim civilians have escalated in recent months.

Muslim and Buddhist communities in Rakhine State have faced human rights violations with impunity for decades, according to a news release issued by the Fortify Rights, a regional human rights body based in Thailand.

The joint statement by the 41 organisations recommends the establishment of a “commission of inquiry to fully assess the totality of the situation in Rakhine State and provide clear recommendations for the current government to effectively address and prevent further problems.” (Courtesy of thedailystar.net)

Rohingya FC vs. Myanmar: a peacebuilding plan

After years of neglect in the field of politics, a group of Rohingya refugees in Kuala Lumpur has moved to the football pitch to begin building a better future for its community. For two years, the Rohingya Football Club has won friends and supporters around Malaysia for the Rohingya cause, and now, team the hopes to one day do the same in its homeland.

“The main objective of the Rohingya FC is to be a national team that represents the Rohingya people,” team chairman and co-founder Muhammad Noor told Coconuts Yangon. “We want to tell Rohingya youngsters that they can be whatever they want in the world. We want to promote the social development of our people.”

Inspired by the Olympic Refugee Team, Rohingya FC was founded in January 2015 by bringing together Rohingya football enthusiasts from around Malaysia to represent their community on a single team. (Courtesy of yangon.coconuts.co)