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Desperate Muslims in exodus
- Subject: Desperate Muslims in exodus
- From: ausgeo@xxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 05:26:00
South China Morning Post
Wednesday June 18 1997
The Mekong Region
Desperate Muslims in exodus
BURMA by Agence France-Presse in Dhaka
The UN warned yesterday of a volatile situation as Burmese Muslim refugees
trekked into Bangladesh, driven by forced labour, high rice prices and alleged
discrimination.
Beat Schuter, UN High Commission for Refugees' representative in Cox's Bazar,
said: "The trickling will continue, although we do not foresee any major
influx."
He said the Muslims, known as Rohingyas, were being propelled back into
Bangladesh by economic factors and discrimination by the military junta in
Rangoon.
Mr Shuter added: "These people face different problems, including excessive
rice prices, forced labour and excessive taxation, besides discrimination in
their freedom of movement, forcing them to return to Bangladesh."
Up to 400 Rohingyas tried to cross into Bangladesh last weekend across the
Naaf River. Most were turned away by soldiers, while some sheltered in a
United Nations camp or with relatives.