By VOA Urdu
August 26, 2015

Dr. Wakar Uddin discusses the work of the ARU to support the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

PRESS STATEMENT

Arakan Rohingya Union Strongly Urges the Government of Myanmar to Grant International Humanitarian Relief Groups Unfettered Access to All Areas of Arakan Hit by the Cyclone

Arakan Rohingya Union urges the Government of Myanmar to grant the international humanitarian relief groups unfettered access to all areas of Arakan State severely hit by the Cyclone Komen, in its strongest terms.

On July 31, 2015, tropical cyclone made its landfall at Arakan state, causing several deaths and extensive damage to homes and properties. The worst-hit areas by the storm in Rakhine state include the townships of Maungdaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Buthidaung, Ann and others, where hundreds of villages have been submerged, many washed away, and the Rohingya IDP camps in Sittwe area are currently inundated. 

Death of at least 18 Rohingya persons has been reported from various townships in Arakan, and a number of individuals have been unaccounted for. In Maungdaw Township, Myanmar Government officials have reportedly evacuated Buddhist Rakhine from the low-lying areas to highlands in Maungdaw East before the landfall of the storm. Emergency relief supplies from the Government of Myanmar for the Buddhist Rakhine residents reportedly began to arrive at the Buddhist Rakhine shelter areas. The UN and the limited numbers of international NGOs operating in parts of Arakan are reportedly surveying the areas and assessing the damage. Relief supplies for Rohingya from international relief groups or from the Government of Myanmar have not arrived to date. Currently, Rohingya communities in each township are providing shelters to the Rohingya victims who lost their homes. The continuous torrential monsoon rain is reportedly worsening the situation.

We strongly urge the Government of Myanmar to provide humanitarian assistance to all people of Arakan, including Rohingya, Kamen, and others, and assist in rebuilding their homes. Additionally, we urge the Government of Myanmar to grant the international NGOs unhindered access to Arakan state in order to provide assistance to all people of Arakan affected by the storm.

We appeal the international community to provide urgent humanitarian assistance in Arakan, including the Rohingya IDP camps, which are most vulnerable to destruction by natural disaster.

ARU Director General Appeals to the President for Special Session on Rohingya

Geneva -- Delegations of Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Arakan Rohingya Union meets with the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council Joachim Rücker at Palaisdes Nations in Geneva. The delegations were led by the Head of the Permanent Mission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the United Nations in Geneva, H.E. Ambassador Slimane Chikh and accompanied by Dr. Wakar Uddin, the Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, and Ms. Dina Madani of OIC in Geneva.

On behalf of OIC, H.E. Ambassador Slimane Chikh expressed great appreciation to President Rücker for the remarkable work done by the Human Right Council on Rohingya issues during the past several years. Ambassador Chikh commended the comprehensive and balanced reports on Rohingya human rights in Myanmar compiled by Special Rapporteurs Tomás OjeaQuintana and Yanghee Lee. Ms. Dina Madani discussed the increased role of OIC in United Nations Human Right Council General Debate session and the resolutions with regards to Rohingya issue.

Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, Dr. Wakar Uddin,provided the recent development in Myanmar and in Southeast Asia and the lingering issues on the ground in Arakan state. Dr. Uddin stressed the continuous violation of human rights by the Government forces in Rohingya areas in Arakan, the dire situation in IDP camps, and the human traffickers preying upon the vulnerable IDPs that has led to boat people crisis and numerous death in trafficking camps where mass graves have been discovered. He has indicated that it is not only the political issue that Rohingya people are facing, but a grave humanitarian crisis that has spilled over from Arakan to the sea reaching as far as Andaman Sea and beyond. He has emphatically pointed out that urgent assistance is needed in these humanitarian crises. Dr. Uddin appealed to the President to deploy a mechanism exerting a stronger impact by the HRC resolutions on Rohingya issue in Myanmar. He also requested the President for inclusion of Rohingya human rights as a specific item in the General Debate of the upcoming HRC sessions or a special session in the main event.

President Joachim Rücker expressed sorrow over the plight of Rohingya and the displacement inside and outside Arakan and death toll the community has suffered. The President has discussed a number of avenues to have the Rohingya issue as a category in the General Debate or the Special Session along with the HRC Resolution for a greater impact on the Rohingya human rights. He has encouraged the OIC and ARU to continue to engage with the Human Rights Council, and advised Dr. Uddin to bring Rohingya issues in every opportunity at the upcoming HRC sessions in Geneva. President Rücker has assured the OIC and ARU delegation that the United Nations Human Rights Council is committed to resolve the Rohingya human right issues in Myanmar.

RB News

June 20, 2015

Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union addresses the OIC Ambassadorial Special Session

Geneva, Switzerland -- United Nations Human Rights Council continued to provide coverage on persecution of Rohingya ethnic minority and Rohingya Human Right issues in Myanmar on the second and third day of the HRC sessions. On the second day, June 16th, in the minority issues Session, several member States and NGO expressed serious concerns about the wide range of human right violations currently faced by the Rohingya people, stressing that the impact of such violations is taking a toll on the Rohingya population, thus resulting in a large scale exodus of Rohingya through the sea routes to Southeast Asian countries. The delegates also stated that the human trafficking and discovery of mass graves of Rohingya victims are the direct result of the persecution of Rohingya minority in Myanmar. On June 17th, in the Internally Displaced Persons session, the concerns over the dire condition in Rohingya IDP camps were strongly expressed by several delegates.

At the OIC Ambassadorial special session on June 17th, delegations from the 57-member states discussed the expediency in addressing the current humanitarian crises in Southeast Asia and the need for adequate humanitarian relief supplies in IDP camps. Several delegations had called for stepping up the engagement with the Government of Myanmar and to take concrete steps to find a solution to the citizenship and human right issues of the Rohingya.

Dr. Wakar Uddin, Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, spoke on the current issues and the new developments on the ground and in Nay Pyi Taw. Dr. Uddin specifically addressed the issues of forced verification, the new green card/ID report, anti-Muslim and-Rohingya legislations, white cards, and voting rights. He further stressed the need for a strong concerted plan that involves the Government of Myanmar in the multi-national rescue operations at the sea. He stated that it is the responsibility of the Government of Myanmar to immediately repatriate the rescued Rohingya victims to their homes and villages. He said the government should return full and equal citizenship rights to Rohingya and re-instate their ethnic identity. 

Dr. Uddin appealed the international community to demand the Government of Myanmar to abandon the regional policy imposed on Rohingya. “Your Excellencies, besides these there is a regional rule in Arakan, arbitrarily imposed by the former military junta decades ago, that is the instrument for all the human rights violations such as restriction of movement, marriage, worship, higher education, and at least a dozen of other violations; these must be immediately removed and their basic rights reinstated. The international community must be firm with the Government of Myanmar in demanding the restatement of these basic human rights to Rohingya; how can there be any progress on the ground while committing these violations by the Government forces are still rampant - how long Rohingya people have to wait to get their rights back?” Dr. Uddin concluded.

RB News

June 5, 2015

Kuwait City -- The 42nd OIC Council of Foreign Ministers’ Conference was held in Kuwait City May 27-28, 2015. Delegates from various member states of the OIC spoke about the rights of Rohingya in Myanmar and the crisis involving Rohingya victims of human smuggling and trafficking in Southeast Asia during the main event. At the side event, the Ministerial Contact Group discussed the current situation in Arakan, progress in the international stage, and the challenges ahead. Several Foreign Ministers expressed their views on handling the boat people crisis at Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal and the urgent situation in Arakan including the IDP camps.

OIC Special envoy to Myanmar, HE Dr. Syed Hamid Albar, presented his view, emphasizing the diplomatic engagement with Myanmar Government and Arakan state officials. He also stressed the importance of interfaith dialogue. Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, Dr. Wakar Uddin, described the situation on the ground in Arakan and in Naypyitaw, and pointed out that the major force to solving the Rohingya issue essentially lies with the international community that has evidently made some tangible progress, but more needs to be done. Dr. Uddin emphasized the need for addressing the root cause of the boat people crisis at Andaman Sea and Thai-Malaysian border. “Despite frequent negative statements by the Government of Myanmar, we would like to think that the government is sincere in devising a realistic roadmap to find a permanent solution to the problems faced by Rohingya people in Arakan; and it should include immediate, short-term, and mid-term/long-term goals that should be addressed by the Government of Myanmar in coordination with the international community. Some of the specifics outlined by Dr. Uddin are as follows: 

Immediate 

o Rescue all the Rohingya refugees adrift at Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal by the Government of Myanmar and assist in their safe return to their villages in Arakan

o Provide unfettered access by the international and national humanitarian workers to the IDP camps and villages of all the affected people

o Make the public health care facilities accessible to Rohingya residents from villages and towns, and allow the international health workers to provide healthcare to all in Arakan

o Void the regional administrative rule in Northern Arakan state that is the instrument of major human right violations such as restrictions on freedom of movement, worship, marriages, and denial of basic education and healthcare, confiscation of lands, and numerous other violations.

o Release all the Rohingya political prisoners, those detained on false accusation of inciting violence, and those arrested arbitrarily

Short-term 

o Return of the IDPs to their homes without pre-conditions

o Provide full Government security for the IDPs and vulnerable Rohingya villages

o Allow Rohingya to rebuild and renovate mosques, religious schools, homes, and businesses

o Return the confiscated lands to the original Rohingya farmers, and stop the practice of leasing Rohingya’s farm lands back to the owners

o Remove the settlement units (NATALA) of Buddhist Bengali Rakhine (Maghs) from Bangladesh and elsewhere in Arakan from Rohingya farmlands.

Mid-term/long-term

o Amend the 1982 Citizenship law (in a manner that does not hinder the re-instatement of equal and full Citizenship of Rohingya), and allow Rohingya to self-identify themselves, officially re-instate the ethnicity of Rohingya

o The Government of Myanmar reposition itself to neutrality and assume the role of true facilitator for peace in Arakan

o Revamp the Rakhine Action Plan, abandon the segregation policy, and develop strategies of integration the Rohingya, Kamen, and Buddhist Rakhine communities

o Government of Myanmar takes strong initiative for rebuilding the affected areas of all communities in Arakan

o Repatriation of Rohingya refugees and displaced Rohingya persons from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and other countries

o Economic, social, and educational development in Arakan state for all communities

Dr. Uddin also stressed that the prioritization of the categories of the goals are based on the current needs and situation on the ground, and the Government of Myanmar, in coordination with the international community, may address some of the objectives with more expediency, if it is truly dedicated to bringing peace and stability in Arakan state and wishes the fledgling democracy in Myanmar to flourish.

Photo: Christopher Olssøn

RB News
June 5, 2015

Arakan Rohingya Union has participated at the Oslo Conference on Systematic Persecution of Rohingyas in Myanmar. There were several speakers, including a number of Nobel laureates, prominent leaders from international community, and Rohingya activists from inside Myanmar and diaspora. World renowned figures, George Soros, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Mairead Maguire, José Ramos-Horta and Dr Mahathir Mohammad, delivered pre-recorded video messages. Former UN Special Rapporteur Thomas Quinta and Penny Green also participated at a panel discussion. Additionally, the head of the delegation of monks from Myanmar and several officials from international advocacy groups, including Mathew Smith of Fortify Rights, Malaysian former General Azumi, Dr Gianni Tognani, The Secretary General, Permanent People’s Tribunal also spoke at the conference. The speakers from the Rohingya community include U Kyaw Min, Abu Taher, Mohammed Nayeem, and Wai Wai Nu from Myanmar, and Daw Khin Hla, Nurul Islam, Dr. Wakar Uddin, MaungTun Khin, Dr. Ambia Parveen, and others from Rohingya Diaspora. The speakers have made compelling arguments about the needs for immediate solution to the plight of Rohingya. The conference has generated a clear message that the violations of human rights and the ethnic cleansing policy of the Government of Myanmar are viewed by a growing number of international experts and advocacy groups as early warning signs of genocide.

Arakan Rohingya Union, represented by Dr. Wakar Uddin, has provided an international perspective on Rohingya issue, particularly theprogress made at the international stage and the challenges exist in diplomatic efforts. He expressed his frustration over series of new problems at Andaman Sea and Thai-Malaysian border that are overshadowing the long standing issues such as situation in IDP camps in Arakan, the basic human rights, the citizenship issues, and others. He acknowledged the desire by some moderate senior Myanmar officials to solve the Rohingya issue, but he also expressed the frustration over the lack of progress in Naypyitaw. He stressed the need for increased efforts by the international community and garnering strong support for the efforts by the players inside Myanmar seeking a permanent solution to the problem in Arakan state.

Dr. Uddin outlined the progress made by the international community. He stated the importance of the work of the humanitarian NGOs that are having direct effects on the very survival of the IDPs in Arakan. In the diplomatic efforts, he explained the common strategies and outcomesof the efforts by the U.S Government (State Department, White House, and Congress), the United Nations (General Assembly, Human Right Council, and the Special Rapporteurs), Organization of Islamic Cooperation, European Union, and the Canadian Parliament. He has indicated that all the players in the international community is demanding the Government of Myanmar to address some of the most important issues. “Full and equal citizenship for Rohingya, right to self-identify their ethnicity, permanently ceasing all the human rights violations, giving international NGOs unfettered access to IDP camps and other area in Arakan, freedom to worship, repatriation of the IDPs in Arakan and the refugees in the neighboring countries to their home of origin in Arakan. “These are the major issues commonly outlined by all the players in the international community, and the government clearly shows defiance - but they are feeling the pinch’ Dr. Uddin said.

Dr. Uddin has indicated that there are much more needed to be done at the international level. Like the message during the current crisis at the Andaman Sea, the message on the rights of Rohingya to the Government of Myanmar should be more coherent with a common theme all the timewhile sustaining the momentum.“Euphoria in the international community over the transition to democracy in Myanmar, early lifting of the sanctions by the Europeans,certain policies of ASEAN, are some of the factors that have attributed to the obstacles we are facing today in making progress on Rohingya issues” Dr. Uddin has pointed out.

He called on the international community to insert the pressure on the Government of Myanmar and ASEAN more in coherence, to reinstate the sanctions, and develop a road map with incremental approach including immediate, short term, and long term goals. “Government of Myanmar is the key, and the problem can be solved if the government is interested and has the will power” Dr. Uddin concluded.

ARU Testimony to US House TLHRC on Rohingya Crisis

Interfaith US Letter to Pres Obama on Rohingya Crisis

RB News
April 20, 2015

RB News

March 23, 2015

UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Provides Compelling Report on Human Right Violations in Arakan State

Geneva, Switzerland -- The 28th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) was held in Geneva March 2-27, 2015, and the Rohingya Human Rights session was programmed for the afternoon session on March 16, 2015. At the main session, UN Special Rapporteur, Yanghee Lee, provided an astounding report on the human right violations committed by the Government of Myanmar against Rohingya ethnic minority in Arakan state in Myanmar. Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, Dr. Wakar Uddin, along with the members of The European Rohingya Council and the ARU’s Global Rohingya Center attended the conference.

The UN Special Rapporteur, Yanghee Lee, provided all the aspects of the plights of Rohingya people in Myanmar based on her personal experiences where she witnessed the daily suffering of the Rohingya people during her visits to Arakan state. Ms. Lee described the situation in Rohingya IDP camps as ‘abysmal ’. She provided the details of the violations of human rights committed by the Government officials and armed forces in Arakan state fueled by the policy of the Government of Myanmar. She also spoke about ‘White Card’ and voting rights of the Rohingya. The Special Rapporteur stressed the continuous instability in the country caused the hate speech by the radical Buddhist monks instigating the violence against Rohingya by Buddhist Rakhine. She has also highlighted the abusive and insulting language against international dignitaries used by the leader of the radical Buddhist ‘969’ movement. The Special Rapporteur has called on the international community and the Government of Myanmar to find a solution to the Rohingya issue in an expedient manner.

Over 40 countries and several NGOs made statements on the Rohingya issue where almost all of them shared the view of the UN Special Rapporteur. Amongst them, the Government of United States, several European countries, Saudi Arabia, OIC, and Human Rights Watch expressed the strongest support for the cause of Rohingya. The Myanmar representative refuted most of the testimony by the Special Rapportuer and often used ‘transition to democracy’ as a pre-text for all the violations by the Government of Myanmar. The Myanmar representative bluntly rejected the ethnic identity of Rohingya and disregarded the indigeneity of the Rohingya people in Arakan. 

In the side event, Dr. Wakar Uddin, DG of ARU, and GRC Representative Dr. Mohammed Taher Siraj spoke on ethnic cleansing of Rohingya in Myanmar. Their presentations covered the situation on the ground in Arakan, the Government’s hostile policy towards Rohingya that is triggering the violence by Buddhist Rakhine, verification process as a tool for second-class citizenship or internment in camps, and several other issues. Their speech vastly reflected the reports of the Special Rapporteur. The Arab League meeting at the session also discussed the Rohingya issue, and ARU-DG stressed the need for the Arab League and all the OIC member states to increase their efforts and speak out through all multi-lateral and bilateral relations with Myanmar. The resolution on Rohingya human rights at the 28th HRC is due to be released shortly.

January 22, 2015 (#20JR15)

PRESS STATEMENT

Arakan Rohingya Union Warmly Welcomes the Release of Rohingya Community Leader, Dr. U Tun Aung

Arakan Rohingya Union warmly welcomes the release of Rohingya physician and community leader, Dr. U Tun Aung, after a prolonged period of unjust imprisonment by the Government of Myanmar.

Dr. U Tun Aung was arrested by the Buddhist Rakhine police following the violence against Rohingya by the Buddhist Rakhine mobs in Maungdaw, Arakan State, in June of 2012, on false allegation of inciting the riots. On the contrary, Dr. U Tun Aung was trying to intervene and stop the violence as per the request of the authorities. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison that was grossly unfair and racially motivated.

The Arakan Rohingya Union unequivocally endorses Dr. U Tun Aung’s statement on his continuous efforts to bring peace, stability, and communal harmony in Arakan State, during his interview with media groups following his release.

Rohingya people expresses their deep gratitude to the international community, particularly US Congressman Aaron Schock, Assistant Secretary of State Tom Malinowski and the US State Department team, UN Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee and the UN officials, OIC Officials, and a number of NGOs and right groups worldwide, for their relentless efforts that have resulted in the release of Dr. U Tun Aung.

Arakan Rohingya Union greatly appreciates the just and fair decision made by President Thein Sein for the release of Dr. U Tun Aung. This is a positive step forward to bring peace and stability back to Arakan state. The Rohingya people appeal President Thein Sein to take immediate steps for the release of hundreds of Rohingya prisoners in Arakan who are unjustly imprisoned. Rohingya people also call on the Government of Myanmar to address the political and human right issues of the Rohingya ethnic minority and reinstate their full citizenship.

Arakan Rohingya Union Welcomes the Recognition of Rohingya Ethnic Minority by the President of the United States and Secretary General of the United Nations

November 16, 2014

Arakan Rohingya Union warmly welcomes the recognition of the Rohingya ethnic minority by the President of the United States, Barack Obama, and the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, and their unequivocal support for the rights of Rohingya people in Arakan state, Burma. 

Public statements of the President of the United States in Burma --

“Discrimination against a Rohingya or any other religious minority, I think, does not express the kind of country that Burma over the long term wants to be” at a news conference in Yangon. 

“Victims deserve justice, and the perpetrators of crimes and abuses must be held to account in a credible and transparent manner…much of the violence against the Rohingya and other Muslim communities in Rakhine State, but the government has a responsibility to work with the people to improve the humanitarian situation…All of us in our own lives have to be vigilant aside bias and prejudice. Burma, like all nations, will be stronger and more successful if it draws on the strength of all of its people. Its remarkable diversity should be seen as a strength, not a threat” to Irrawaddy Magazine. 

Public statements of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Burma -- 

“I expressed my concern about the Rohingya population who face discrimination and violence; I am urging that the human rights and dignity of people in Rakhine State should be respected” to Irrawaddy.

“…the United Nations uses that word (Rohingya) based on the rights of minorities” at Naypyitaw. 

Arakan Rohingya Union demands the Government of Burma to:

(a) Abide by the international law and respect the call from the global leadership on the Government of Burma to allow self-identification of Rohingya and reinstate their official ethnicity;

(b) Immediately reinstate their full citizenship; 

(c) Take strong measures against the Union and State Government officials conducting relentless

campaign against the identity of Rohingya ethnic minority that fuels violence, hate, and bigotry against Rohingya by the Government forces and Buddhist Rakhine mobs;

(d) Draft a new Arakan/Rakhine State Action Plan that allows the Rohingya ethnic minority to regain their citizenship and the basic rights and to scrap the proposed plan to send the Rohingya to detention camps if they decline the Government’s imposition of “Bengali”, “Illegal Bengali Immigrants”, “Kala” or any other derogatory term on them;

(e) Immediately lift all the bans on Rohingya and provide them freedom of worship, free to travel, right to marry, right to education and healthcare, right to property ownership, and other rights;

(f) Immediately cease the detention of innocent Rohingya on false and fabricated charges, release them unconditionally, and launch an investigation to the torture and death of the prisoners.

PRESS STATEMENT

Arakan Rohingya Union warmly welcomes the Report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur, Yanghee Lee, on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, including that in Arakan/Rakhine state. 

The report summarizes: The important transition and far-reaching reforms in Myanmar must be commended. Yet, possible signs of backtracking should be addressed so as not to undermine the progress achieved. The present report sets out the Special Rapporteur’s preliminary key areas of focus and recommendations aimed at contributing to Myanmar’s efforts towards respecting, protecting and promoting human rights and achieving democratization, national reconciliation and development.

Arakan Rohingya Union urgently appeals the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the members of the global community of nations to demand the Government of Myanmar to abide by the international rule of law, permanently cease the hostility toward Rohingya ethnic minority, and immediately address the following recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur to Myanmar in the report (UNGA A/69/398; Section VI. 82):

(a) Immediately address the critical health situation in camps for internally displaced person and isolated locations, in particular for those comparatively underserved, namely, the Rohingya, including by increasing the authorities’ capacity to provide adequate health services;

(b) Provide adequate basic services, including in camps for internally displaced persons, and remove any restrictions against the Rohingya on freedom of movement and other rights so as to ensure access to livelihoods, food, water and sanitation, and education;

(c) Investigate and prosecute those responsible for human rights violations perpetrated against the Rohingya community;

(d) Respect the Rohingyas’ as well as other minorities’ right to self-identification in compliance with international human rights standards, including by refraining from directing international actors to adopt positions that run counter to such standards;

(e) Immediately release the international NGO staff members imprisoned in connection with the violence of June 2012;

(f) Address the long-standing social and economic development challenges in Rakhine State through a human-rights-based approach, ensuring the participation of affected communities, including through greater cooperation with the international community;

(g) Develop reconciliation measures as a necessary step to rebuild integrated communities for inclusion in the Rakhine State Action Plan.

RB News

October 5, 2014

New York -- The OIC Ministerial Contact Group convened at the 69th United Nations General Assembly in New York. Important issues on Rohingya ethnic minority and strategies to find a permanent and lasting solution were discussed in the meeting. Delegations from several countries have expressed their concerns on the lack of progress on Rohingya issues in Arakan. They discussed strategies on engagement with the Government of Burma not only by OIC perspective, but also from the ASEAN perspectives as bilateral relations with Burma that many countries maintain. Among all the Ministerial delegations, they agreed that efforts in dialogue for ethnic and communal reconciliation in Arakan must be stepped up, but there are also needs for more serious and urgent approach for short-term solutions that could set the stage for long-term dialogue and reconciliation efforts. 

The Special Envoy of the OIC to Myanmar, Tan Sri Dr. Syed Hamid Albar, also attended the Ministerial Meeting. The special envoy presented a strong case on what he perceives the Rohingya issue based on his personal experience in Arakan and Naypyitaw as well as the Southeast Asian diplomacy. He made it very clear that the Rohingya and Muslim issue in Burma is rather complex, and dialogue and understanding among the ethnic groups in Arakan is the foundation to solving the problem. He stressed that there may be some challenges in brining the communities together to the table but he also expressed his optimism based on his personal interactions with Burmese and Rakhine officials and the leadership. Contrary to what some Burmese and Rakhine media has earlier reported or alluded to, Ambassador Albar was reportedly well received by the union and state officials in Burma followed by frank and objective discussions on Rohingya issues. Ambassador Albar also expressed high optimism in solving the Rohingya and Myanmar/Pathi Muslim issues that clearly is not what Buddhist Rakhine and some Burmese media had reported earlier. It is obvious that some unprofessional and violence-loving media in Burma are continuously serving as destructive elements not only against Rohingya ethnic minority but also towards the peace in Arakan during the so-called “transition to democracy” that the Government of Burma is claiming.

During the meeting, Dr. Wakar Uddin, the Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, was given the floor, where he provided the Ministerial delegation the true picture on the ground in Arakan and realistic approach to finding a solution to Rohingya issue. Dr. Uddin unequivocally stated that the Government of Burma must adhere to standards of international law and ethics in all of its conducts. The Government must be consistent in what its senior officials tell the international community and how they drive the policy on the ground in Arakan. Among other things, Dr. Uddin highlighted four major points: 1) the relentless campaign by the radical elements in the Government of Burma to eliminate the very ethnic name and identity of Rohingya; 2) the verification/nationality scrutiny process mired with controversy, hate, and violence by the Burmese and Buddhist Rakhine forces; 3) the unrelenting human right violations and ethnic cleansing campaign against Rohingya people by the Burmese officials; and 4) the dire situation in Rohingya IDP camps, and the needs for speedy return and operation of NGOs to their full capacity for increased humanitarian assistance to the IDPs. Dr. Uddin also submitted the exhibits of forced “Bengalization” of Rohingya and Kamen Muslims in Arakan through violence by Burmese and Buddhist Rakhine police against Rohingya and Kamen Muslims. He showed the recently issued highly controversial Nationality Scrutiny cards (Green and Pink Cards), in Myabon Township by the Government of Burma. “Your Excellency, the word “Bengali” in the Lu Myo (Race) column is written by the Burmese officials in the Green cards forcefully issued to Rohingya, and the word “Bengali Kamen” is written in the Red cards issued to Kamen Muslims, that were actually one of 135 ethnic groups recognized by the Military Regime earlier – if it is not ethnic cleansing, then what is?” Dr. Uddin stated. “These radicals in the Government are completely consumed with the word “Bengali”, they are poised to eliminate the very identity of Rohingya, and they have evidently initiated the re-characterization of the Kamen also as Bengali, similar to what they are doing to Rohingya - this is very alarming” Dr. Uddin concluded.

RB News

October 1, 2014

New York -- Transparency International, UK Aid from the British People, and Freedom and Justice jointly convened an event, “Ending the Poverty: Why Strong, Accountable Institutions Matter”, at the United Nations 69th General Assembly on September 24, 2014. Over 200 delegates from around the world were invited to the event. Muslim Aid was one of the invitees to the event, and the delegation of Muslim Aid includes Dr. Hamid Azad, CEO and Dr. Abdul Bari, Secretary, both from Muslim Aid Headquarters in UK, Dr. Wakar Uddin, the President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Muslim Aid America, and Asmaa Ahmed, the Country Coordinator for USA.

The Prime Minister of Great Britain, David Cameron, delivered the Keynote speech with opening remarks followed by a question session. Prime Minister Cameron spoke on fighting poverty through fighting corruption in Government institutions and other entities. He has articulated the importance of transparency and accountability in Government and other institutions in reducing the poverty. The prime Minister outlined a number of details on how to devise strategies in reducing poverty through effectively addressing series of corruption issues that are deeply engraved in the system of governments and institutions in many parts of the world.

The speech by Prime Minister David Cameron was followed by John Mahama, the President of Ghana, who delivered the speech with the same theme, through outlining some examples of his experience in his country where transparency and reducing corruption were pivotal in progress of Ghana’s economic development. Helen Clarke, Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), spoke on various developmental issues in over 170 countries and territories that UNDP operates. In her remarks, Mrs. Clarke clearly indicated that ill-defined accountability and weak government systems are often the cause for corruption that hinders and slows down the development. She further stated that honest and effective government is a high priority, and accountable and transparent institutions are extremely important in reducing poverty as it deeply affects average families in many countries. Dr. Huguette Labelle, the Chairman of Transparency International, also spoke on a similar theme of accountability in system of governments and institutions.

RB News

September 24, 2014

New York -- U.S. State Department held the event “Displacement of Religious Minorities” at the 69th United Nations General Assembly on September 22, 2014, at the United Nations Plaza in New York. Dr. Wakar Uddin, Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, attended the event at the invitation of U.S. State Department. The event was presided by Sarah Sewall, U.S Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. There were over 60 invited participants from various government and non-governmental agencies and civic societies.

Tom Malinowski, US Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, also attended the event. In the opening remarks, Secretary Malinowski described the growing challenges of displacement of religious minorities in various parts of the world from political, social, religious, and cultural contexts. He stressed how the Government of United States has dedicated its resources and making tremendous efforts through engagement with global communities, including various governments and non-governmental agencies to address the rapidly growing displacement issue. He also discussed the strategies to tackle the problems faced by the displaced religious minorities. 

Secretary Sewall provided in-depth analyses of the complexities in displacement issues. The Secretary has stated that in 2013, the world witnessed the largest displacement of religious minorities. In almost every corner of the globe, millions of people - Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Yezidis and others representing a range of faiths were forced from their homes on account of their religious beliefs. She added that displacement is continuing in 2014, and entire neighborhoods are emptying of residents out of fear or by force, and communities are threatened and often disappearing from their historic homelands and dispersing across the map. She further described how this mass displacement has become a pernicious norm, particularly in conflict zones.

Dr. Wakar Uddin spoke about the displacement of the Rohingya ethnic minority in Arakan state, Burma, and in several countries around the world, particularly in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and the Middle East region. Dr. Uddin expressed serious concerns about the horrendous conditions at the Rohingya IDP camps in Sittwe and other Townships in Arakan. He stated that the displacement of Rohingya population has deeper implications as the victims are increasingly preyed upon by human smugglers and traffickers, and the victims ending up in hard labor camps and sex slave trade in Southern Thailand. He explained the major difficulties in initiation of dialogue among the communities in Arakan due to complexities involving the Union Government and State officials, and the lack of will power by the Government of Myanmar in Naypyitaw. 

Other distinguished speakers who spoke on displacements of religious minorities, include Dr. M. Din Syamsuddin, Chairman Center for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilizations, Jakarta, Indonesia; Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General, Religions for Peace, United Nations Plaza, NY; Dr. Sayyid Syeed, National Director of ISNA, Washington, DC; Christen Broecker, Associate Director, Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, New York, and others.

RB News

12.9.2014

Detroit, Michigan, USA -- An Exhibition and a panel session on the plight of Rohingya ethnic minority in Burma/Myanmar were some of highlights at the 51st Annual Convention of the Islamic Society of America (ISNA), held at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The panel session was titled “Rohingya Muslim and Islam in Myanmar: A Population and a Faith Under Threat of Extermination”. Dr. Sayyid Syeed, National Director of ISNA, presided the session with opening remarks, followed by speeches by Dr. Wakar Uddin, Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, His Excellency Ufuk Gokcen, the Ambassador of Permanent Mission of OIC to UN, Honorable Tom Andrews, former United States Congressman and President & CEO of United to End Genocide in Washington, D.C., and Dr. Malik Mujahid, Chairman of Burma Task Force-USA in Chicago, addressed the audience on ethnic cleansing, violence, and atrocities against Rohingya, Kamen, and Pathi/Myanmar Muslim in Burma.

Ambassador Ufuk Gokcen of the OIC Permanent Mission at the United Nations in NY addresses at the Rohingya session at 51st ISNA Convention

Dr. Wakar Uddin provided background information on Rohingya ethnic minority in Arakan, how the modern history of Rohingya has entered the dark period during the past half-a-century, deprivation of the rights of Rohingya by the military regime in Myanmar, ethnic cleansing and major human right violations, pre-planned events of violence against Rohingya beginning from June 2012, and dire situations in IDP camps emerged after expulsion of NGOs by the Government of Myanmar. Dr. Uddin has further explained the current situation on the ground, particularly the controversial “verification” campaign that the Government officials had reportedly conducting using data collection sheets with the title “Household Membership in Illegal Bengali Immigrants”, and the officials turning violent against the Rohingya families for non-cooperation because of their opposition to the mislabeling Rohigya as “Illegal Bengali Immigrants”. Dr. Uddin has warned that the situation in Arakan is grim as the Government of Myanmar is poised to conduct “verification” under the pretext of national census and the campaign by the Government of Myanmar for denial and destruction of the ethnic identity and the name “Rohingya”. Dr. Uddin has appealed the Muslim Umma and the international community for assistance, and detailed the strategies for how they can help the cause in a concerted effort.

Ambassador Ufuk Gokcen spoke on humanitarian and political issues in Arakan, OIC’s dedication to Rohingya cause, stressing that Rohingya issue was the first topic in the recent meeting of OIC Secretary General HE Iyad Madani with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in Bali. Ambassador Ufuk further spoke about OIC’s engagement with the Government of Myanmar, the citizenship issue, importance of OIC member states’ common strategy with common voice and sustained efforts through OIC Ministerial Contact Group, and the important roles of ASEAN member states of OIC that maintain strong bilateral relations with the Government of Myanmar. Ambassador Ufuk also stated the importance of inter-communal relationship and interfaith dialogue among the communities in Arakan and the intricacies in the local, state and central government. He has also explained the importance of the US House Resolution 418 as a landmark in Rohingya issue on a global scale. The major emphasis of Ambassador Ufuk’s speech was finding a long-lasting diplomatic solution to the issues faced by Rohingya and the need for dialogue and ethnic reconciliation to bring a permanent peace and stability in Arakan state.

Honorable Tom Andrews presented the situation of living reality of Rohingya ethnic minority in Arakan state in Myanmar. Hon. Tom Andrews gave the details of his personal trip to Arakan and Central Myanmar and witnessing the horrendous conditions in Rohingya IDP camps, which he calls “concentration camps” in Arakan. Hon. Tom Andrews provided an account of the Rohingya IDPs asking the Government of United States to bomb and finish the camps, so that they will no longer have to go through such humanly unthinkable conditions in IDP camps. Hon. Tom Andrews also provided the detail accounts of precursors of genocide and desperate situation faced by Rohingya families. He stated the importance of the U.S. Congress understanding the serious situation in Arakan; thus passing the House Resolution 418 with bipartisan support unanimously. He also explained his confidence in US Senate about passing a resolution on Rohingya. Hon. Tom Andrews expressed outrage on recent murder of the Muslim community leader, Soe Min Htway, in Mandalay. He urged the global community to sign the petition for Rohingya at EndGenocide.org. He urged President Obama to provide protection to Rohingya as he is protecting minorities in Northern Iraq and Eastern Syria. “We know the truth in Arakan, and we will save the Rohingya” Hon. Tom Andrews declared during his concluding remark.

Dr. Abdul Malik Mujahid spoke about the involvement of Burma Task Force-USA in Rohingya issues. In his speech, Dr. Mujahid provided a number of historic evidences of the recognition of Rohingya as an indigenous people of Arakan and ethnic minority of Myanmar by the Government of Myanmar in 1950s and 60s. Dr. Mujahid stressed that the mounting violence against Rohingya and other Muslim population in Myanmar is being driven by the Islamophobia that is now a public policy in Myanmar. He has also reminded the audience that President Thein Sein is the only leader in the modern world calling for removal and transfer of an indigenous ethnic minority (Rohingya) to another country. He provided the satellite images by Human Rights Watch as the graphic evidence of total removal of Rohingya villages, as a tool of ethnic cleansing and genocide. Dr. Mujahid has also provided evidence of the connection between the leadership of the radical monks in Sri Lanka and the mastermind of violence in Myanmar, monk Wirathu. However, Dr. Mujahid also stated that historically there was no hostility between Islam and Buddhism, and reminded the international community that the radical Buddhist monks in Myanmar and Sri Lanka do not represent the great peaceful religion of Dalai Lama – the Buddhism.

RB News

September 4, 2014

Detroit, Michigan, USA -- Over 25,000 people attended the 51st Convention of the Islamic Society of North America. Held at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit, Michigan, President Jimmy Carter was the keynote speaker. Among the numerous events at the Convention, there were two Rohingya events: The exhibition on the Plight of Rohingya was presented by Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU) in association with GAPROWC (Global Alliance for Protection of Rohingya Women and Children) and ARU’s Global Rohingya Center (GRC) during the 3-day event. A special session on Rohingya political and human rights in Burma (Myanmar) was also convened on August 30th.

The exhibition booth of the Arakan Rohingya Union, was stationed adjacent to booth of the Muslim Aid America (MAA). The Arakan Rohingya Union exhibition was conduction by Sarah Naeem Uddin, the Director of GAPROWC, and Aasma Ahmed, the Country Coordinator of MAA, conducted the Muslim Aid America exhibition. Additionally, information on Rohingya political and human rights issues were displayed at the exhibition booths of Burma Task Force, Islamic Relief, and Helping Hands.

Some of the highlights at the Arakan Rohingya Union exhibition booth were: 

• The background history of the indigenous Rohingya people dating back to several centuries in the Rohang region of Arakan state in Burma
• Ethnic cleansing of Rohingya
• The growing militancy and terror campaigns against Rohingya and Pathi/Myanmar Muslims by the radical groups in Arakan and elsewhere in Burma, and the continuous major human right violations against Rohingya people on Arakan.

Visitors to the exhibition booths were deeply touched by the sufferings of Rohingya people in IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps that are currently under horrendous conditions and open-prison Rohingya villages in various townships in Arakan. Numerous attendees, including young generations American Muslim men and women, signed up for volunteering in Rohingya political and human rights work for the Arakan Rohingya Union in the US.