Myanmar's Rohingya People Seek Refuge

(7 Mar 09 - RV) Malaysia's foreign minister this week said military-ruled Myanmar must assure its neighbours that thousands of Muslim Rohingya boat people who have fled the country will not be persecuted if they're returned home. The comments came after Malaysia’s Prime Minister last week called for the Rohingya to be sent back to Myanmar because they had become a burden to the countries where they washed ashore.

Meanwhile, U.N. rights chief Navi Pillay is urging Myanmar's neighbours to take in Muslim boat people fleeing the predominantly Buddhist country and offer them protection in line with international standards. Mark Farmaner of the Burma Campaign UK spoke with Kelsea Brennan-Wessels about the hardships the Rohingya people are trying to escape.