RSO update July 15

[mbeer@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Human Rights violations have stepped up dramatically in Arakan since May 1994.
executions, torture and detention of hundreds of people.  Ironically, July
has seen an upturn in returnees from Bangladesh to Burma. Although 200,000
of the origianl 300,000 remain.  UNHCR policies and practices are a joke.

Tensions high in Nalapara township after "a rakhine goon was killed by a
crowd coming to the defense of a rohingya girl.  SLORC threatening
eviction of entire Rohingya population of 170 households.

On July, 6, 1994, MIS No. 18 went to Kazirbil village 36 km north of Maungdaw
and arrested six more young rohingyas for alleged contact with anti-SLORC
forces. The six names are cited.  Habiullah s/o Bahadoor, Abu Bakker s/o
Abdul Habi, Hasibullah s/o syedur Rahman, ex-village chairman, Moulvi
Abdul Ali s/o Abdul Rahim, Moulvi Abul Kalam, and Hossein.

Hundreds have been arrested since May 1994. only a few released. the fate
of six persons is unknown.

On June 29, 1994 The Burmese Strategic Area Command in Buthidaung township
sent about 150 of its forces to the south of buthidaung. they are based
at an islamic school and harrassing the local citenzry. Local youth Shafi
Rahman s/o NOor Ahmed of 25 years, and Mohammed Ayas son of Ali Hossein of
28 years hailing from pon-nyo-lake village were arrested, killed and
buried in a mass grave somwhere near the village of Nyaunchaung.

Na Sa Ka (Border Supervising Cell) sent 70 muslim girls home after a
compulsory vocational training program. Another batch of 70 girls have
been ordered to undertake the training program at their own expense. 
After completion of training some are dispatched to different security
out-posts to make shirts and pants for the soldiers.

Thats it folks. Feel free to cross post and distribute. 

Michael Beer
mbeer@xxxxxxxxxxx