Arakan Rohingya Union Condemns the Buddhist Hate Speech, and Violence and Senseless Killings of Muslims in Mandalay, Myanmar

July 5, 2014

Arakan Rohingya Union denounces, in the strongest terms, the senseless violence against Muslim minority and destruction of their properties and places of worship in Mandalay by the radical Buddhist mobs. Rohingya people throughout the world mourn the death of U Soe Min and share the deepest sorrow with the family of U Soe Min and with those who received injuries and trauma as a result of the attacks by the Buddhist mobs. 

The preplanned attacks on Muslims in Mandalay followed the pattern of violence elsewhere in the country in the past. The radical Buddhist Monk Wirathu, based in Mandalay, reportedly vowed in his sermon to mark the beginning of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan with “a message for the Muslims”. Precisely, as the Ramadan begins, the spread of the rumor through social media that “A Buddhist woman was raped by a Muslim shopkeeper; Muslims are armed to teeth to wage Jihad against Buddhists…” was circulated. Devising allegation of “rape”, hate speech, and inflammatory messages through social media are the major tools used by Buddhist extremists to trigger violence against Muslims in Myanmar. 

Arakan Rohingya Union appeals the Government of the United States and the international community to demand: 

• The Government of Myanmar to bring the perpetrators of the crimes against the Muslim minority in Myanmar to justice.
• To launch a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation to the direct or indirect involvement by the police in the violence in Mandalay, and bring charges against those officers who are responsible for aiding/guarding the mobs. 
• For immediate release of the Muslim shopkeeper who was reportedly arrested on false allegations devised by Monk Wirathu. 
• To strictly enforce the law of the land and the present curfew equally to all the communities, regardless of race, ethnicity, and religion, and bring charges against the roaming Buddhist mobs of motorcyclists and vandals for inciting and spreading violence in Mandalay. 
• Call on the Government of Myanmar to abandon its usual rhetoric aiming at temporarily appeasing international community, and to make genuine commitment to solving the communal and ethnic issues with transparency, honesty, and integrity.

RB News

June 25, 2014

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia -- The 41st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, June 18-19, 2014, under the theme of “Exploring Areas of Islamic Cooperation”. The issues in Middle East, Asia, and Africa were addressed in the conference. The Palestine, Al-Quds al-Sharif physical developments in entire Middle East, Mali and Sahel, Myanmar, The Philippines, and Central African Republic topped the agenda of the far-sighted Conference.

The Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Saud Al Faisal, spoke at great length on issues facing the Muslim world and Muslim minorities in some particular countries. The Chair of the 41st Session indicated that the OIC Conference is being held while events and developments that are sweeping across the Muslim world, some of which are still facing political and security issues, while others were able to move forward that hopefully will sustain security and stability and achieve their goals of economic development.

At the Conference the OIC Secretary General Iyad Madani addressed the main session and the OIC Ministerial Contact Group delegations led by the Foreign Ministers on issues facing the Rohingya ethnic minority in Myanmar. The Secretary General expressed his grave concerns over current situation in Arakan, particularly those in IDP camps and numerous Rohingya villages, and various other issues. He emphatically asked the OIC member states and the international community to work in concert and further increase their efforts in engagement with Myanmar both multilaterally and unilaterally to find a solution to the issues faced by the Rohingya people.

OIC special envoy to Myanmar, Tan Sri Dato Seri Syed Hamid Albar, the former Foreign Minister of Malaysia, spoke on intricacies of the issues facing the Rohingya people. He stressed that stepwise approach to diplomatic solution through understanding and dialogue is essential in finding a solution to the Rohingya issue. He underscored the importance of addressing the issues with development of a realistic roadmap with concrete ideas that will address the fundamental issues of citizenship and basic human rights. Several Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys, including those from Bangladesh, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Emirates, spoke on the issue.

Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin, the Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, spoke on the dire situation on the ground, particularly the deteriorating conditions in IDP camps, and the new developments at Nay Pyi Taw on Rohingya issues. Dr. Uddin stressed that the will power of the Government of Myanmar is pivotal in addressing the Rohingya issue. Dr. Uddin expressed serious concerns over the continuous regression of the issue of reinstatement of citizenship and major human right issues as new humanitarian crisis are being created in Arakan. “The citizenship and major human rights are central to all the issues faced by the Rohingya people. Now the constant creation of new crisis such as attacks on NGOs, and limited operations of NGOs, dealing with resumption of the arrests of Rohingya and return of NASAKA as BGP, and food and health crisis in IDP camps have to be taken care of before the central issues can be adequately addressed. We don’t know what will be next before all these new issues can be take care of – sliding down in this path of slippery slope got to be stopped” Dr. Uddin stated.

Geneva, Switzerland -- The Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin, attended the 26th Session of the United Nation’s Human Right Council from June 10 through June 13, 2014 at Palais des Nations in Geneva. Dr. Uddin participated in the main session of the Human Rights Council where delegations from the member countries and numerous non-governmental organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, had convened. In additional to the main event of the 26th Session, Dr. Uddin also attended side events such as Right to Freedom of Expression, Peaceful Assembly and Association, Extrajudicial Execution, and Internally Displaced Persons. Rohingya issues were discussed in some of the side events. Several NGOs have also briefed on the human right violations faced by Rohingya ethnic minority in Arakan. UNHCR conducted a detailed press briefing on violence in Arakan state where thousands of people continue to sail to Southeast Asian countries due to abuse and exploitation as people are increasingly seeking safety and stability elsewhere. The briefing also covered the situation on over 140,000 people, primarily Rohingya and Kamen Muslims, and the resumption of humanitarian assistance at small scale, following the attacks on UN and NGO premises in Sittwe.

During the 26th session OIC Independent Human Right Commission and the Permanent Mission of OIC at UN-Geneva also held meetings and events. At the meeting with Human Right Commission, Dr. Uddin discussed a number of strategies and possible options for further engagement with international groups to initiate a dialogue with the relevant state and public sectors in Myanmar. In the events organized by the OIC Permanent Mission, Dr. Uddin briefed the Ambassadors on the current situation, highlighting the recent bill of banning white card holders from forming or participating in political parties, the draft on religious conversion and marriage bills, the return of NASAKA under the new name “Border Guard Police” or BGP for continuation of NASAKA’s old dirty jobs, volatile situation at the Myanmar-Bangladesh border, and resumption of arrests of Rohingya on false charges of arson. Additionally, the return of some NGOs to work under the supervision of Government-appointed Emergency Coordination Council, the stalled census process in Rohingya areas, the verification scheme, and other violations such as closure of places of worship, travel restrictions, marriage restrictions, human smuggling and trafficking, education and a range of issues were highlighted. Dr. Uddin has stressed that the most troubling is the “reverse process” that is tactfully devised by the Government to sideline the most urgent issues such as restatement of citizenship and basic human rights, as it continues to create new humanitarian crises in IDP camps through removal of NGOs. “Now the fundamental issues of citizenship and human rights are at the back burner – this is a slippery slope and part of the delay tactic” Dr. Uddin concluded.

Dr. Uddin also met with the officials of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR), and Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD). Strategies for alleviation of the plights of Rohingya through diplomatic channels were discussed with officials at OCHA. Dr. Uddin briefed the OHCHR officials the recent developments in human right issues and possible priorities for addressing the issues. Identifying avenues for peace and ethnic reconciliation in Arakan was the main topic of discussions at the HD Centre. Dr. Uddin expressed his great appreciation to OCHA and OHCHR officials for their noble mission on humanity and human rights in Arakan, and the HD officials for their relentless efforts in conflict mediation to bring peace and communal harmony.

RB News

June 6, 2014

Washington -- The Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin, was named the President of Muslim Aid America and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Muslim Aid America has been recently established in Washington, D.C., area in Springfield, VA. 

Muslim Aid, founded in 1985, is a UK-based global relief organization, and is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The primary mission of Muslim Aid is to tackle poverty and natural disasters by developing innovative and sustainable solutions that enable individuals and their communities to live with dignity and by supporting initiatives that promote economic and social justice. Muslim Aid works with all in need, regardless of their race, religion, gender, nationality or political opinion. The organization is working on several projects in disaster hit areas around the world, including emergencies, providing education, skills training, clean water and sanitation, shelter and reconstruction, healthcare and nutrition, income generation, and research and development. The projects span over 70 countries across the globe. Muslim Aid is striving to help the poor overcome the suffering endured due to natural disasters and lack of life's basic necessities. Whilst responding to emergencies, one of the major priorities of Muslim Aid is to work on strategic programs to eliminate poverty that focus upon improvement of livelihood for the unpreviledged.

These projects ensure that individuals can have access to basic necessities and the skills necessary to generate an income so that they are not permanently dependent on aid agencies for food and shelter.

Muslim Aid Projects also include, Child Sponsorship, Corporate Partners, Economic Empowerment, Education, Emergencies, Healthcare and Nutrition, Income Generation, Water and Sanitation, Research and Development, Shelter and construction, and others.

More about MuslimAid: https://www.muslimaid.org

Press Statement

May 8, 2014

ARU and BRANA Congratulate and Thank to US House for Leadership on Rohingya Issue by Unanimous Passage of Resolution 418

The Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU) and Burmese Rohingya Association of North America (BRANA) congratulate and thank the United States House of Representatives for sending a clear message to the Government of Myanmar that the ongoing persecution of Rohingya must end immediately.

The message was sent by Congress in the unanimous passage of House Resolution 418, urging the Government of Myanmar to end the persecution of the Rohingya people and respect internationally recognized human rights for all ethnic and religious minority groups within Myanmar. 

Arakan Rohingya Union and the Burmese Rohingya Association of North America:

• Express deep gratitude to Congressman Jim McGovern, for introducing the resolution, and the other Members of Congress who spoke clearly, distinctly, and firmly to the Government of Myanmar that the United States will not stand for persecution, disenfranchisement, and ethnic cleansing of Rohingya in Myanmar.
• Call on the United States Government and the international community to put consistent pressure on the Government of Myanmar to take all necessary measures to end the persecution and discrimination of the Rohingya people and to protect the fundamental rights of all ethnic and religious minority groups in Myanmar.
• Call on the Government of Myanmar to comply with all the clauses of Resolution 418, and end all forms of persecution and discrimination of the Rohingya people.
• Call on the Government of Myanmar to respect the internationally recognized human rights for all ethnic and religious minority groups within Burma.
• Demand the Government of Myanmar to provide full protection to Rohingya people and bring all the perpetrators of violence committed against Rohingya to justice.
• Strongly urge the Government of Myanmar to permanently cease the use of hostile languages and derogatory names such as Bengali, Kalar, and others against the Rohingya people. 
• Call on the Government of Myanmar to recognize the ethnicity of Rohingya, reinstate their citizenship, and allow Rohingya people to express their ethnic identity.
• Demand the Government of Myanmar to allow the return of all the humanitarian workers and give the international media access to all areas in Arakan state.
• Strongly urge the Government of Myanmar to initiate a transparent process of dialogue for national reconciliation to end the violence, build peace, and establish security and stability in Arakan state.

RB News
May 1, 2014

Washington, D.C. -- US House Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations conducted a hearing on global human trafficking, “Effective Accountability: Tier Rankings in the Fight Against Human Trafficking”. The Honorable Mark Lagon, Global Politics and Security Chair, Georgetown University (Former Ambassador-at-Large for Trafficking in Persons, U.S. Department of State), Mr. Brian Campbell, Director of Policy and Legal Programs, International Labor Rights Forum, Mr. Blair Burns, Vice President of Regional Operations, Southeast Asia International Justice Mission, Ms. Nathalie Lummert, Director, Special Programs Migration and Refugee Services, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Dr. Wakar Uddin, Director General, Arakan Rohingya Union testified before the Sub-committee on global human trafficking in various parts of the world. The streaming of the entire hearing event may be viewed at:

Smuggling and trafficking of Rohingya from Arakan state, Burma, to Southeast Asian countries, particularly Thailand and Malaysia, were some of the most serious issues at the hearing. Dr. Wakar Uddin, Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, provided extensive coverage on trafficking of Rohingya victims of persecution, violence, and ethnic cleansing, who are exploited by shady smuggling rings in Arakan. The written testimony is as follows:

Washington, DC. -- The Centre for Ethics, Peace, and Global Affairs of the School of International Studies at the American University in Washington convened the event, “US - Burma Relation & the Plight of the Rohingya” on April 24, 2014. The event was presided by Dr. Jeff Bachman, Director of the Centre for Ethics, Peace, and Global Affairs. The panelists were Dr. Wakar Uddin, Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, Jennifer Quigley, Executive Director of U.S. Campaign for Burma, Daniel Sullivan of United to End Genocide, and Benjamin Zawacki, Visiting Fellow at Harvard University Human Rights Program. Members of Burmese Rohingya refugee community gave the first accounts of their arduous journey to safety after escaping the violence by Buddhist Rakhine mobs and Burmese armed forces.

Benjamin Zawacki spoke via Skype from Bangkok on how indigenous Rohingya people of Arakan were made stateless through a systematic and institutionalized discrimination and violation of the basic human rights of the Rohingya people, and becoming victims to human smugglers and traffickers.

Ms. Jennifer Quigley spoke on the revocation of citizenship and deprivation of their basic human rights during the reigns of Dictator Gen. Ne Win, which eventually materialized into the 1982 Citizenship Law, stripping the Rohingya of their citizenship. Ms. Quigley further described how the post Ne Win military regime further intensified its discriminatory policy against Rohingya ethnic minority.

Daniel Sullivan provided extensive coverage on their work on prevention of genocide. Mr. Sullivan provided their accounts of what he and Congressman Tom Andrews witnessed in Arakan during their recent trip to Burma. Mr. Sullivan stated that among all their trips to different parts of the world the warning signs of genocide were prevalent and stronger in the state of Arakan, Burma, in comparison to other parts of the world. Mr. Sullivan provided compelling evidence of dehumanization of Rohingya by monk Wirathu and the radical Buddhists through hate speech and distribution of hate literature, flyers, CDs, and DVDs. Mr. Sullivan also explained the well orchestrated scheme of getting rid of witnesses (the INGOs) to the atrocities and violence in Arakan by the Burmese government.

Dr. Wakar Uddin recapped the briefings by the previous three panel members, with additional topics, including the indigeneity of Rohingya, the evidence of their presence in Burma as an ethnic minority until the reign of dictator General Ne Win, why and how the discrimination has risen to institutionalized human right violations and ethnic cleansing, eventually reaching the level with precursor of genocide. Dr. Uddin appealed the audience and the organizers of the event to mobilize the international community through public awareness, and reaching out to the American public, legislators, and the Government to use all the possible avenues to pressure the Burmese Government to protect Rohingya and return their citizenship with all basic human rights.

There were photo exhibition of ethnic cleansing and violence against Rohingya in Burma and audio/video play session of hate speech by Buddhist monk Wirathu.

RB News

April 13, 2014

Washington, D.C -- The International Affairs Council of George Mason University in Washington held its 8th Annual Conference on Global Governance at Edwin Meese Conference Center on April 11th 2014. The Conference hosted a number of honorable speakers representing different regions and institution of the world on the theme “The Dynamics of Democracy”. Eight honorable speakers form various organizations spoke at the event. Dr. Wakar Uddin, the Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, spoke on Transition to Democracy in Burma with respect to ethnic rights with emphasis on Rohingya ethnic minority in Arakan state in west and Kachin, Karen, and other ethnic groups in east Burma. Dr. Uddin unraveled the intricacy of unfolding events in ethnic regions in the fledgling democracy. He highlighted important issues of ethnic identity in the national census. Breaching of the agreement with United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA) and a number of international donors by the Burmese Government on ethnic/race identity related issues is a major concern expressed by the international community, including UNFPA. “Rohingya people want to freely express who they are – it is just a matter of their identity like anyone else in the census” Dr. Uddin stated.

The issues on ethnic minorities vary by region in Burma. While other ethnic minorities are fighting for the greater autonomy in their states, Rohingya people are asking the Government of Burma to respect human rights and return their citizenship that the Burmese Government has revoked. They are not only facing major human right violations, ethnic cleansing, and genocide by some definitions, but are also facing major security issues where the radical Buddhist mobs and monks are committing violent attacks against them in Arakan state and the Pathi Myanmar Muslims in Central Burma. Security of Rohingya people in Arakan has become more serious as international humanitarian relief workers had to be evacuated following attacks on them by radical Buddhist mobs.

Rohingya in IDP camps and numerous villages are totally dependent on the international relief groups for sustenance. The absence of NGO’s deepens the problem, and many are in imminent danger due to the shortage of food, water, and medical supplies. Dr. Uddin also pointed out that prior to the attacks of NGO offices by radical Buddhist mobs, the Burmese Government had ordered the closer of the office of Doctors Without Borders, known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) cutting of the much needed medical aid. Replying to questions about the international community’s discontent with Noble Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi long silence on Rohingya issue, Dr. Uddin pointed out that despite Suu Kyi’s initial positive gesture after the first outbreak of violence there are deepening complexities such as Suu Kyi’s ill-perceived view of “Global Muslim Power” as she stated earlier, the growing influence of radical Rakhine elements in Suu Kyi’s NLD party, her miscalculation on political dynamics for popular support in the Buddhist community, have all caused discontent in the international community, apparently tarnishing her image as the icon of democracy and human rights in Burma.

The government’s constant denial of Rohingya as an ethnic group and violence against the Rohingya people is a grave matter of concern, he stressed.

Arakan Rohingya Union Demands the Government of Myanmar to Enforce the Rule of Law in Arakan and Provide Protection to Rohingya and the Humanitarian Workers

March 31, 2014

Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU) and Rohingya people worldwide demand the Government of Myanmar to enforce its rule of law in Arakan state to the fullest and allow the census process to be completed in a fair and just manner that complies with international standard.

• The Government of Myanmar must not bow to any pressure from radical groups or the state and local officials in Arakan who violate the rule of law.
• The Government of Myanmar must recognize the rights of Rohingya people and allow them to express their ethnic identity just as it recognizes the other ethnic minority groups. Rohingya people have every right to self-determination and the right to retain their ethnic name in the census and the political process.
• The Government of Myanmar must not tolerate violation of the rule of law and intimidation or abuse of Rohingya ethnic groups by the government officials, census enumerators, or any radical groups.
• The Government of Myanmar must explain to the international donors of the census and the international community for not including Rohingya enumerators in census process in Rohingya areas in Arakan state.
• The Government of Myanmar must prosecute the officials and the enumerators who fraudulently and incorrectly fill in or replace the original ethnic name “Rohingya” with Bengali, Kalar, or any other derogatory name.
• The Government of Myanmar must allow all the INGOs and NGOs to return to their respective locations in Arakan state to continue their humanitarian and relief work for all the affected people in Arakan with full security provided to them. The Government must prosecute the mobs that cause harms, security threat, and intimidation to humanitarian workers in Arakan.
• The Government of Myanmar bears solemn responsibility for the safety and well-being of the INGOs, NGOs, and the ethnic Rohingya, irrespective of their race, religion and cultural attributes.

RB News

25.2.2014

Washington, D.C. -- The Senior Advisor to the Government of United States on Burma/Myanmar, Judith Cefkin, and the Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, Dr. Wakar Uddin, met at the State Department in Washington D.C on Rohingya issues in Burma. The meeting was primarily aimed at how to tackle the most challenging issues facing Rohingya ethnic minority in finding a diplomatic solution to bring peace, reconciliation, and communal harmony in Arakan state. Dr. Uddin covered a number of issues including the recent violence in Maungdaw that set off series of concerns by the international community. However, the primary points of the meeting were the verification process, national census, internally displaced person (IDP) camps, situations in Rohingya villages in various townships, and the most challenging issues in military-drafted 1982 citizenship law. Dr. Uddin explained the most widely debated ethnic code number system, particularly referring to the “Other” category outside 135 groups recognized by the former military regime. Dr. Uddin also pointed out that there are too many sub-groups, ranging from less than a dozen to 53 sub-groups within a group, while some most relevant groups such as Rohingya are left out. “This dilution of ethnic groups to numerous sub-groups are not desired by certain ethnic groups because this dilution politically weakens them; further some analysts argues that it is rather a divisive strategy crafted by the previous hardliners in the regime then” Dr. Uddin said. 

“One particular thing that I am very disappointed at is the inconsistent and often contradictory messages by the Government officials about the description of ethnic race for Rhingya people” Dr. Uddin stated. “After all these suffering and deaths since the 2012 violence, some officials have not stopped labeling the Rohingya as Bengali – How is this helping in bringing peace and stability?” Dr. Uddin pointed out. The meeting followed an overall theme of identifying avenues on how to reach out to reasonable voices in the Government and other communities in Burma that are serious about facilitating peace and communal harmony in Arakan and Central Burma. Dr. Uddin again asked the US Government to continue to engage with the Burmese Government by all diplomatic means.

PRESS STATEMENT

January 15, 2014

Arakan Rohingya Union Condemns the Senseless Killings of Rohingya in Kilaidong, Maungdaw:

ARU Appeals the Government of Burma to Provide Full Protection to Rohingya

A least eleven Rohingya men, women, and children were reportedly killed by Burmese police during an attempted robbery of a Rohingya home by a gang of Burmese police and Rakhine mob at mid-night on January 13, 2014. With allegation of a missing policeman, the Burmese forces and Rakhine vigilantes have been conducting house to house search, beating and arresting Rohingya men. Rohingya women have also been abused and detained in several instances. Some rape cases have also been reported.

The village of Kilaidong has been reportedly sealed and surrounded by Burmese armed forces and Rakhine vigilantes, and Rohingya villagers are still trapped inside the village. People from nearby villages reported sporadic gunfire during the night raid of the village by police and Rakhine vigilantes. A number of Rohingya homes at the east side of the Kilaidong village have been burned down by Rakhine vigilantes. The families have reportedly taken shelters in a school building at the nearby village of Godusara.

Arakan Rohingya Union:

• Appeals the Government of Burma to provide full protection to Rohingya in Kilaidong village and elsewhere in Arakan state.
• Demands the Government of Burma to launch a full and transparent investigation to this tragic event in Kilaidong.
• Calls on the Government of Burma to immediately release the innocent Rohingya men and women arrested in Kilaidong.
• Demands the Government of Burma to arrest and punish the assailant policemen and Rakhine vigilante.
• Calls on the Government of Burma to immediately remove the Natala Rakhine settlement villages in Maungdaw and elsewhere in Arakan that have become the breeding grounds for criminals and thugs launching attacks on Rohingya villages.

RB News

December 12, 2013

Washington, DC - The US House of Representative Foreign Relations Sub-committee on Asia and the Pacific unanimously passed the Resolution 418 during the Mark up Hearing. The HR 418 has currently 10 co-sponsors (Congressmen) at the US House of Representatives. The next step is sponsorship from 25 members to hold a Mark up, in order to proceed to the House floor for a House vote. 

In Summary in HR 418, the House of Representatives:

(1) calls on the Government of Burma to end all forms of persecution and discrimination of the Rohingya people and ensure respect for internationally recognized human rights for all ethnic and religious minority groups within Burma; and

(2) calls on the United States Government and the international community to put consistent pressure on the Government of Burma to take all necessary measures to end the persecution and discrimination of the Rohingya population and to protect the fundamental rights of all ethnic and religious minority groups in Burma.

Dr. Wakar Uddin, Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU) and the Chairman & Founder of the Burmese Rohingya Association of North America (BRANA), expressed deep gratitude to Chairman Steve Chabot and members on behalf of Rohingya people worldwide for their tremendous support for the rights of Rohingya people and sympathy for Rohingya victims. Dr. Uddin and the Sub-committee members further discussed on Rohingya issues and garnering support from American people and the international community. “I am optimistic that we will succeed in getting more co-sponsors and secure support from all the 25 members, and from there we will take it to the House floor for full vote” Dr. Uddin said.

RB News

December 5, 2013

The Hague, Netherlands - The Director General of ARU, Dr. Wakar Uddin, and members of ARU Regional Coordination Council, Global Rohingya Centre, and Majlis-e-Jaalia of Makkah, participated in a number of events in Europe, wrapping up the activities in Europe with the official launch of the Global Rohingya Centre-Media Operation at The Hague, Netherlands. Dr. Uddin was invited to speak at the Global Peace and Unity (GPU) Festival in London on Rohingya issues. Dr. Ahmed Baghdadi, Mohammed Ayub, and several members of the Majlis-e-Jaalia accompanied Dr. Uddin to the GPU event. At the event, Dr. Uddin spoke about the indigeneity of Rohingya people to Arakan, the current human rights violations, ethnic cleansing, and violence against Rohingya by Buddhist Rakhine mobs and followers of the radical monk Wirathu, the IDP (internally displaced persons) camps. In his address, Dr. Uddin also appealed to the international community to sustain momentum for support of the Rohingya ethnic minority in Burma. He asked the global community to make collective efforts to help the cause of Rohingya. “We ask you to talk to your Government, NGOs, and Muslim, Christian, and Jewish neighbors to support the cause; so that a concerted effort can be brought in by the international community to put the pressure on Burmese Government to solve this issue”. Dr. Uddin said.

In Helsinki, Finland, an event on Rohingya human rights was organized by the Islamic community of Helsinki, following the exposition that took place concurrently with the GPU Festival in London. The exposition and Rohingya human rights events were attended by several government officials, NGOs, and the communities of Helsinki. In the Rohingya human rights event at the Grand Marina Hotel, Dr. Kimmo Kiljunen, the special envoy of the Foreign Minister of Finland, HE Ilari Rantakari, Chairman of FOKUS, Kristina Rintakoski, Advocacy Director of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dr. Wakar Uddin, and several dignitaries spoke on Rohingya issues. The theme of the speech by all the speakers echoed the needs for global awareness of the crisis in Arakan and increased efforts by the international community to put an end to the human right violations that are taking place in Arakan. There was slight optimism which was carefully expressed by the speakers on addressing the issue on the Burmese Government.

In Rotterdam, Netherlands, the Rohingya human rights event also highlighted the plights of Rohingya. Mr. Nourdeen Wildeman and Dr. Wakar Uddin spoke at the event. The Global Rohingya Centre at The Hague also convened a meeting with dignitaries and Dutch community activists on developing strategies for stepping up Rohingya advocacy in the European Union. Dr. Wakar Uddin inaugurated the launching of the Media Operations at the Global Rohingya Centre at The Hague.

Date: October 24, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

Arakan Rohingya Union Denounces the Misguided Remarks by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on Human Rights and Security of Rohingya and Myanmar Muslims in Burma

The Arakan Rohingya Union and the Rohingya people worldwide unequivocally condemn the hypocrisy exhibited by the Noble Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during her interviews in the media in United Kingdom on October 24, 2013. The Noble Laureate’s description of anti-Muslim violence in Myanmar as result of “climate of fear” is full of absurdity.

The Arakan Rohingya Union calls on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to publicly retract the false statements and tell the community of the world the undeniable facts on plights of Rohingya and the violence against Muslims in Burma. The Arakan Rohingya Union demands Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to stick to the principles of democracy and human rights, retract her statements, and rightfully acknowledge that:

1) The violence in Myanmar has always been one-sided where Rohingya and Myanmar Muslims are the victims.

2) The ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims in Arakan is in existence in Arakan for nearly half a century and it is the root cause of the problem.

3) There are over 140,000 Rohingya and Muslim IDPs, and Rakhine IDP camps are non-existent in reality.

4) The “Global Muslim Power” is not a worldwide perception; rather a perception of her own.

5) She unequivocally condemns preaching and instigation of hate by Ashin Wirathu.

6) The question from the media was directly posed to her - a member of the opposition; therefore, it is not the job of the Government of Burma to answer the question on her behalf.

Being a victim of the dictatorship in Burma for several years, the Noble Laureate has insulted the Noble Peace Prize itself and the Institution that the community of the world reveres. The Arakan Rohingya Union appeals to the international community to speak out against the hypocrisy of the Noble Laureate evidently filled with racism and bigotry against Rohingya and Myanmar Muslims in Burma. 

Dr. Wakar Uddin

Director General

Arakan Rohingya Union

New York - The Permanent Mission of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to the United Nations in New York received delegates from International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH - Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme), representatives from OIC Ministerial Contact Group, Director General of the Arakan Rohingya Union, and a delegation of certain ethnic minorities from Myanmar.

The representative of FIDH to the United Nations Michelle Kissenkoetter provided extensive coverage on the violence and discrimination against the Rohingya ethnic minority and Muslim population, violence and attacks against civilians in Kachin and Shan states, and new arrests and re-arrests of prisoners of conscience, and continued serious violations against civilians by Burmese forces with impunity. The representatives of the ethnic minority groups from Myanmar briefed the current situations in their respective regions, highlighting violence, atrocities, internal and external displacement of minority victims, rape cases and sex slaves issues, along with hate speech by radical monks that instigates violence in various regions of the country. Dr. Wakar Uddin, Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union, also briefed the meeting participants on the issues such as the eruption of new waves of violence against Kamen Muslims in Thandwe, attempts by the RNDP leadership and hardliners in the Burmese Government for making IDP camps permanent or semi-permanent, the RNDP’s relentless attacks on voting rights of Rohingya white-card holders, night time raids of Rohingya households in Northern Arakan and arrests of household members, sentencing Rohingya victims to life imprisonment and long jail terms, human smuggling of Rohingya victims by Rakhine cartels through sea routes to Thailand and Malaysia, and other issues. Dr. Uddin also commented on President Thein Sein’s recent brief visit to Maungdaw. “It is a good sign and a warm gesture, but the Rohingya people are anxious to see that more positive actions are taken by the Burmese Government on providing security for Rohingya people, promoting peaceful-coexistence, and facilitating dialogue between Rohingya leadership and the Burmese Government along with moderate Rakhine leadership. “Taking the first step and breaking the tip of the stagnant situation in Arakan by the Burmese Government is pivotal; we are confident that such positive step by the Government will pave the way for more dialogue for reconciliation, eventually bringing Rakhine to the table to be a partner for peace” Dr. Uddin added.

Representatives from OIC Ministerial Contact Groups such as Egypt, Turkey, Djibouti, Bangladesh, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei expressed their great appreciation for the efforts by the minority women delegates from Myanmar in the process of finding a solution to the ethnic minority issues. The Ministerial Contact Group representatives also discussed a number of diplomatic approaches to find a durable solution to the problems faced by Rohingya, Kachin, and other ethnic minorities in Myanmar. The theme of the two-hour meeting was overwhelmingly voicing the rights of the ethnic minorities during the democratic transition in Myanmar and peaceful co-existence of all people of Myanmar.

RB News
September 30, 2013

New York - The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)’s Ministerial Contact Group Meeting was held at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 24, 2013. The meeting was attended by a number of delegates from OIC, including those from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Djibouti, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Turkey, UAE, and other countries. The meeting was presided by His Excellency Secretary General Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. The incoming Secretary General of OIC His Excellency Iyad bin Amin Madani was also present at the meeting. In his opening remarks, Secretary General Dr. Ihsanoglu provided the details of all the Rohingya issues handled by OIC, and a number of developments in the international arena. Dr. Ihsanoglu opened the floor to the Ministerial delegations, and several delegates spoke on the current status of their efforts, their achievements on Rohingya issues through diplomacy, and future recommendations. Dr. Wakar Uddin, Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU), opened his statements by expressing his deep gratitude, on behalf of Rohingya people, to OIC Secretary General Dr. Ihsanoglu for his relentless efforts to find a solution to Rohingya issues and also extended his gratitude to OIC member states for their support and serious efforts in solving these issues. On behalf of Rohingya people, Dr. Uddin also expressed his deep gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy mosques His Majesty King Abdullah and the Government of Saudi Arabia for His Majesty’s sympathy and support for Rohingya people in Burma, and granting the temporary legal residency to Rohingya in Saudi Arabia.

ARU Director General Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin provides the highlights of the current situation in Arakan and appeals to OIC member states to step by their efforts in addressing the Rohingya issues at the OIC Contact Group Meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Incoming OIC Secretary General His Excellency Iyad bin Amin Madani and ARU Director General Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Washington - ARU-DG Dr. Wakar Uddin and three other witnesses testified at the US Congress Foreign Affairs Asia Sub-committee’ hearing “An Unclear Roadmap: Burma’s Fragile Political Reforms and Growing Ethnic Strife.” Strong testimonies were provided by the witnesses on the slow pace of reform, ethnic minority issues, and US Government’s relaxation of sanctions. Rohingya, Myanmar Muslim, and Kachin issues dominated most of the testimonies by the witnesses. Dr. Uddin asked the US Government to look into the inconsistencies between the often reconciliatory tone of Burmese Government at Nay Pyi Taw and the serious human right violations by the Burmese forces on the ground in Arakan and Kachin state. Dr. Uddin stated that it is imperative to know the cause of these persisting human right abuses – whether the signal for this is coming from the Nay Pyi Taw or there is a serious gap in enforcement of law and order in the lands those lands that the Government of Burma governs.

Dear Mr. Chairman: 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify before the House Foreign Affairs Asia Sub-committee. The political climate in Burma has not fundamentally improved over the past two years, despite great expectations by the people of Burma and the international community for a genuine change, after half a century of dictatorial rule. The junta’s strategy of maintaining the “status quo” was effectively implemented through the national election in 2010. The impact of the false democratic process has disproportionately impacted the ethnic minorities including Rohingya, Kachin, and Myanmar Muslims over the Burmans/Bamma. The military junta’s imposition of its apartheid policies for Rohingya such as travel restrictions, marriage restrictions, land confiscation, deprivation of education, deprivation of freedom to worship, closure of places of worship, In fact, there has been further tightening of these impositions on the Rohingya in recent months in Rakhine/Arakan state. Currently, there are some elements within the Burmese Government colluding with Rakhine/Arakan state officials to make the (IDP) camps permanent or semi-permanent. The media is still not free for most people. Certain groups of people who have connections to the Government enjoy these rights than others. Rakhine National Democratic Party (RNDP), in collusion with the Burmese government and the Ministry of Immigration, has introduced legislation in the parliament to launch a re-investigation into the Rohingya MPs’ ancestral background. 

About US Government’s easing sanctions and overall engagement with Burmese Government, the Obama Administration has moved too quickly in easing the sanctions on Burma. We believe that moving too quickly to ease sanctions is shortsighted. The relaxation of the sanctions should have been more gradual and firmly incremental with benchmarks. The Burmese government should meet each expectation by the international community before the second bar may be lifted. About the United State’s military-to-military relations with Burma, I am not a military strategist who can provide a detailed analysis of proposed military-to- military relations between Burma and the United States. However, as a concerned citizen knowledgeable about the Burmese military establishment, I urge the US government to avoid military relations with governments guilty of some of the worst crimes of our time. Establishing military-to-military relations between the United States military and Burmese armed forces would be premature. 

Conflicts between Buddhist and Muslim populations are overwhelmingly one-sided attacks on the small Muslim minority by the Buddhist majority that have been backed by Burmese security forces. Denial of basic rights and systematic discrimination against Rohingya by the Burmese government created fertile ground for nationalist Rakhine leadership and radical Buddhist monks to instigate fresh violence against Rohingya that has spilled into Burmese Muslim areas across Burma. 

The “Burmanization” policy, an ideology of purity in race and religion of the Burmese government has been the primary cause for warfare in ethnic areas for the past several decades. The violence against Rohingya and Burmese Muslims is part of a pattern of ultra-Buddhist nationalism led by the 969 movement spearheaded by the radical Burmese monk Wirathu and his supporters. Recently, the Burmese government in coordination with Rakhine State and local officials reportedly designated the Rohingya prisoners as non-political prisoners. In recent days, hundreds of Rohingya prisoners (ages 12 to 60+) have been quickly sentenced to life or long jail terms. 

Achieving national reconciliation with the ethnic groups is not as complex as the Burmese government has painted it to be. Government is the key to this. Reconciliation between ethnic Rakhine and Rohingya can be achieved within a short period of time as the government has tremendous influence on nationalist Rakhine leadership. The Burmese Government must abandon its hostile policies against the Rohingya and position itself in the middle as true and sincere facilitator (for the peace, reconciliation, and communal harmony in Arakan, Burma). 

Thank you very much.

ARU Testimony At The US Congress Hearing

RB News

September 18, 2013

ARU-DG DR. WAKAR UDDIN MEETS WITH U.S. DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE AND PRESIDENT OBAMA’S SPECIAL ENVOY TO OIC; MASSIVE ARRESTS, HUMAN SMUGGLING VIA SEA ROUTES, AND UNGA HIGHLIGHTED

Washington - The Director General of Arakan Rohingya Uunion (ARU) met with the United State’s Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kelly Clements and President Obama’s Special Envoy to OIC Rashad Hussain at U.S. State Department in Washington D.C. In the first meeting with DAS Clements, who heads the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration in State Department, Dr. Uddin extensively discussed the dramatic increase of smuggling of Rohingya victims by Rakhine cartels to remote areas in Thailand. Dr. Uddin detailed the intricacy of the smuggling of Rohingya victims who have been facing widespread abuse, harassments, and torture by Burmese police and security forces. “The setup by the Rakhine smuggling cartel was that it brings in large vessels from Thailand that are anchored several miles off-shore Arakan, and the victims are transported from the land to the large vessels in small boats with assistance from the Burmese police and security forces”. Dr. Uddin explained. “Upon arrival at the destination in Thailand, the victims are taken to camps in remote forests, and have them call their relatives in Thailand and Malaysia for ransom; sever beatings, abuse, and torture reportedly take place if the ransom money is not received as promised by the victims” Dr. Uddin further explained. “This is a well-devised scam to transport Rohingya to Southeast Asian countries that is used as part of ethnic cleansing operation, as Bangladesh no longer provides refuge for the victims due to overcrowding of current Rohingya refugees in camps in Bangladesh and some instances of returning the Rohingya refugees to Burma in the past” he added. Dr. Uddin sought assistance from State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration to help solve this issue, and to pressure Myanmar Government to cooperate with international teams for launching an investigation to this scams in the high seas that is rising at an alarming rate.

In the discussion with Ambassador Rashad Hussain, Dr. Uddin explained the recent events in Arakan including the night-time raids of Rohingya households by Burmese police and security forces, massive arrests of Rohingya and rapidly sentencing them to life imprisonment or long term sentences up to 30 years. “Most of these Rohingya are actually victims of violence who lost homes, properties, and family members; yet they are being arrested and sentenced with false accusation of inciting or committing violence” Dr. Uddin explained. Dr. Uddin and Ambassador Rashad Hussain exchanged views on Rohingya issues at upcoming General Assembly of the United Nations. Ambassador Hussain assured Dr. Uddin that he is dedicated to finding a peaceful solution to the Rohingya political and human rights issues through all diplomatic means with close coordination of U.S. engagement with the OIC on these issues.