More than 300 people demonstrated in Yangon on 27 May and demanded that the government reject international pressure on Myanmar to receive Rohingya refugees. The call came prior to a regional summit, to be held on May 29 in Thailand, over boat people stranded in the Andaman Sea. The demonstrators travelled from Bo Sein Hman stadium to the Public Complaint Post in the Kyaikkasan stadium.
Ko Htet Arkar, in charge of media at the demonstration, told Mizzima, “There are no Rohingya in Myanmar but the international community has pressed the government to recognise that there are Rohingya in Myanmar. Myanmar media does not accept Rohingya. The government has to deny it decisively. This rally is organized to let the world know that Myanmar people don't accept the Rohingya.”
“This demonstration demands that the Myanmar government vow not to allow the boat people to enter Myanmar after the summit. Moreover, the demonstrators call on the UN not to put pressure on Myanmar for the reason of human rights. So we are demonstrating to let the world know,” said Ko Nay Myo Way, the chairman of the Diversity and Peace Party.
Demonstrators held banners and chanted slogans including “Boat people, should go somewhere else. Don’t put them near our coast,” “Those who encourage Bengalis who entered illegally are our enemies”, “We don’t want the UN’s unfair pressure” and “Don’t insult our country and our people.” A final speech was made at the Public Complaint Post.
The protest included monks, race and religion protection organisations, Rakhine Youth Association, Ha Pya Saw Ta Da Van philanthropist association, 969 youth association, Myanmar National Network, and members of the Diversity and Peace Party.
Myanmar, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Switzerland, Thailand, the US and Vietnam will attend the regional summit to discuss the boat people to be held in Bangkok.