Rohingya group slams Kyaukphyu economic zone plan

06 January 2016
Rohingya group slams Kyaukphyu economic zone plan
The economic zone will be set up somewhere between Kyunk Phyu Township and Yanbye Island. Photo: kpsez.org

A group representing Rohingya Muslims in Europe has blasted plans for the long-delayed Kyaukphyu special economic zone (SEZ)in Rakhine State, saying Tuesday that it may cause lasting damage to Rohingya property and lives, Anadolu Agency reported on 5 January.
Mohamed Ibrahim, the general secretary of the European Rohingya Council, urged lawmakers to rethink plans to house the industrial park in Rakhine before addressing the rights of its Rohingya minority, along with opportunities and compensation for other local people.
Outgoing President Thein Sein's proposal for the region passed through parliament in December with 424 of 511 lawmakers supporting the move. However, lawmakers from ethnic Rakhine parties, alongside several from the National League for Democracy (NLD) voted against it.