Myanmar Authorities Should Stop Sending Boatloads of Rohingyas to Sea

Women and children are sent to sea from Kunia Village in Maungdaw - too many are dying...

Boats at Maungdaw, courtesy: Google Earth

(DHAKA, Bangladesh) - This is a request to the Myanmar Government Authority to stop sailing boats with Rohingya women and children to Malaysia.

It is learned from reliable sources that at least two boats a week sail loaded with not only Rohingya youths but also Rohingya children and women to Malaysia by risky sea route.

Many Rohingyas go missing on the way to Malaysia due to rough seas and storms. Many boats sink trying to reach their destination. A village Chairman, Faisal from the village Kunia, Alethangyaw - 12 miles south of Maundaw, is working as an agent of the Kunia village Hlun Tin border camp.

He is collecting passengers by taking Kyat 50,000/= per head and the money is shared among Hlun Tin, agent and boat owner. After arriving in Malaysia the passengers have to pay a big amount to human traffickers. This is happening because the Myanmar government imposed restriction on Rohingya movement.

That is why Rohingya Muslims are unable to move from place to place for their daily earning; it has caused severe economic crisis.

This is a question of survival for them.

So, the Myanmar govt should end the traveling restriction. They also should take action against the human traffickers and Hlun Tin force, it is most crucial and inevitable.

Nurul Islam,

Media, Grassroots Welfare Association, Bangladesh (GWAB).