IMMIGRATION-ROHINGYA: BANGKOK – Myanmar Parliament approves $15M for Rakhine border fence
BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s Parliament has approved a budget of about $15 million for the construction of a fence and related projects along the border with Bangladesh in Rakhine state, from which about 700,000 members of its persecuted ethnic Rohingya minority have fled violence since last August.
Lawmaker Myo Zaw Aung said Friday the budget was proposed by the Home Affairs Ministry, the Defence Ministry and the Border Affairs Ministry, which are all controlled by the military.
Deputy Home Affairs Minister General Aung Soe testified Thursday, the day the budget was approved, that fences covering 202 kilometres of the 293km border have already been completed.
There is widespread prejudice against the Rohingya because they are seen as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, although they are long-time settlers. Most are stateless and face widespread social and official discrimination. / BORNEO BULLETIN /
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