RB News

June 17, 2015

BROUK President Tun Khin was invited by the French Foreign Ministry to discuss the Rohingya crisis on 11th June. Tun Khin met Diddier Ortolland, head of Southeast Asia Division and other officials at Ministry of Foreign Affairs France. 

During the meeting the BROUK President addressed the current update situation and urged French officials to immediately raise the issue in UN Security Council. 

Tun Khin stated, “Our people are dying every day. The International Community knew it but they are not doing enough. I appeal that we do not to let another Rwanda repeat for Rohingya. Please help end the genocide of more than 1 million Rohingya. The Burmese government’s plan is to drive us out of our own ancestral land and, if any Rohingya are left standing, they intend to build an apartheid against us”. 

“It is time for the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to intervene to stop Rohingya Genocide where Persecution of the Rohingya minority by the Myanmar government amounts to genocide, according to field research from the International State Crime Initiative (ISCI), based at Queen Mary University of London,” said Tun Khin. 

At the end of the meeting BROUK also called on theFrench government with the US, UK and EU countries to pressure the Government of Myanmar to do the following: 

1. To immediately end its policies and practices of genocide; 

2. To restore full and equal citizenship rights of the Rohingya; 

3. To institute the right of return for all displaced Rohingya; 

4. To effectively provide the Rohingya with all necessary protection; and 

5. To actively promote and support reconciliation between communities in Rakhine State, Myanmar. 

The trip was organised by Info Birmanie. Tun Khin also gave many Interviews on current events related to the Rohingya Genocide in French Media and other journals.

RB News

June 9, 2015

London -- 3rd commemoration of Rohingya Genocide in Arakan event was held in London last Friday 5th June 2015.. The event was organised by Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK and more than 100 people attended including members BROUK, Members from Burmese Muslim Association UK, Anna Roberts Executive Director from Burma Campaign UK (BCUK) ,Ko Aung from 88 Generations and Mr Nurul Islam chairman of Arakan Rohingya National Organisation.

Ahmed Jarmal General Secretary of BROUK hosts as a master of Ceremony of the event. He mentioned “This event is 3rd COMMEMORATION OF ROHINGYA GENOCIDE IN ARAKAN” to give our remembrances to those who died and who were still suffering due to the pre planned attack on Rohingya and other Muslim of Burma. 

The event started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Mr Nurul Islam Chairman of Arakan Rohingya National Organisation gave opening remarks by thanking BROUK for organizing this wonderful event. 3 years ago in this month state sponsored massacre was carried out against Rohingya and Kaman in Arakan and other Muslims in other parts of Burma.

Mr Nurul Islam mentioned that the human rights violations and abuses committed against Rohingya for decades are not isolated incidents, but part of a broad pattern of the policies being implemented by the ruling Thein Sein government. They are committed with full impunity and knowledge of the government and violation has not been fully and impartially investigated and none of the perpetrators have been brought to justice. 

The government has no intention to resolve the issue. A UN Commission of Inquiry is most urgent to investigate the mass atrocity crimes in Arakan and other parts f Burma and to bring those responsible to justice. It is also important that UN intervenes in the matter on ground of humanitarianism.

Mr Nurul Islam concluded his opening remarks by mentioning the root cause of the problem must be addressed. Their citizenship and ethnic rights must be restored. Political and democratic process in Burma should be all-inclusive; Rohingya must be a part of it. Humanitarian aids must be allowed. All persecution and ghettoization and must be ended. Repatriation and rehabilitation of refugees in their original properties. 

Kyaw Zwa from Burmese Muslim Association said after by election 2011 Burmese government systematically planned massacre against Rohingyas and other Muslims of Burma.The government planned Ma Thi Da Twe rape case to start Rohingya genocide in 2012 June. It was very clear that Ma Thi Da Twe case was not a rape case at all which everyone knows. He addressed that President Thein Sein government is wiping out Rohingyas and other Muslims of Burma by doing anti-Muslim hate speech and creating violence. He concluded his speech by 

Anna Roberts from BCUK pointed that BCUK is continuously pressing e UK government through MPs. She mentioned that Bt BROUK’s call to support UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to lead to get in aid in Arakan and to support International Independent Investigation.

88 Generations Leader Ko Aung mentioned that he will be together with Rohingyas in Solidarity and will continue his support on the cause. 

BROUK President made closing remarks by thanking all BROUK members for their great effort for the event. He also thanks to audience and other participants of the event. He encouraged that not to lose hope even tough situation is not getting better. Recent OSLO conference shown 7 noble prize winners are together with Rohingyas in Solidarity. Rohingyas struggle is long way to go and and have to keep current momentum. Rohingyas are without friends inside Burma and have a few friends Like Dr Maung Zarni and Ko Aung. Rohingyas are the son of Arakan soil and have to continue the struggle to restore Rohingya’s rights.

The event was ended with Dua and served dinner later.

RB News

June 9, 2015

BROUK President, Tun Khin, was invited to speak at the Morocco Parliament regarding the current situation of Rohingya on 1st of June. The event was organised by Socialist International and the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Morocco. 

At the meeting in the Parliament more than 20 countries' political party members, the Foreign minister of Morocco, NGOs, and Media attended. 

At the opening session the Moroccan Foreign Minister, Salaheddine Mezoua, addressed a key note speech by pointing out the current Rohingya situation. Tun Khin, who was guest speaker at the meeting, presented the Rohingya’s historical background, details about the current situation, information on anti- Muslim hate speech, and also information from the recent Oslo Conference regarding Rohingya and stressed the international community's lack of action. 

Tun Khin appealed to the Parliament, “Our people are dying every day. The international community knew it but they are not doing enough. I appeal to not let another Rwanda repeat for Rohingya. Please help end the genocide of more than 1 million Rohingya. The Burmese government’s plan is to drive us out of our own ancestral land and, if any Rohingya is left standing, they intend to build apartheid against us”. 

Tun Khin told to RB News “It is a great honour for me to speak at the Moroccan parliament on behalf of Rohingya people. I am glad to see many participants at the meeting express strong concern on our cause, how Burmese government is implementing genocidal acts against our people. I am very grateful to the Moroccan government for their immediate concern, to raise the issue with United State, EU and some members of states in OIC. We really have to keep current momentum to pressure Burmese Government to stop Rohingya Genocide”. 

Tun Khin also urged the Moroccan parliament to pressure the Government of Myanmar to do the following: 

1. To immediately end its policies and practices of genocide; 

2. To restore full and equal citizenship rights of the Rohingya; 

3. To institute the right of return for all displaced Rohingya; 

4. To effectively provide the Rohingya with all necessary protection; and 

5. To actively promote and support reconciliation between communities in Rakhine State, Myanmar. 

At the End of the meeting- All the Political Party members from 20 countries agreed to raise Rohingya issue with UN , and their own countries. They also said they would work continuously to put strong pressure on Burma to restore the rights of the Rohingyas. 

RB News

June 7, 2015

BROUK President Tun Khin was invited to speak about the current situation of Rohingya at the London Studio of Russia Today Channel. He participated on the talk show “RT-UK Sputnik -Orbiting the world with George Galloway” TV programme on Saturday. 

Moreover Tun Khin said in his interview “denying the right to have food, the right to have medical treatment, the right to have children, denying the right to move, marriage and education, creating state sponsored violence against Rohingya by Burmese government made them to leave from country.” 

“The Burmese Government is pushing Rohingya to camps and blocking aid, starving them to death. President Thein Sein is implementing his own policy which he mentioned in 2012 July, which states that Rohingyas are not citizen of Burma and the only solution is keeping them in camps and sending them to a third country.”

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.

RB News

May 18, 2015

“It is time United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon intervened to stop the Rohingya Genocide where the persecution of the Rohingya minority by the Myanmar government amounts to genocide, according to field research from the International State Crime Initiative (ISCI), based at Queen Mary University of London” said Tun Khin. 

BROUK President. Tun Khin said he was able to speak one Rohingya on one of the boats currently adrift in South East Asia and recalled the women and children are screaming and crying the save their lives. They havent had food and water for five to six days. They are begging for help. 

Moreover Tun Khin said in his interview, “Denying the right to have food, the right to have medical treatment, the right to have children, denying the right to move, marriage and education, creating state sponsored violence against Rohingya by Burmese government made them to leave from country.” 

“The Burmese Government is pushing Rohingya to camps and blocking aid, starving them to death. President Thein Sein is implementing his own policy where he mentioned in 2012 July that Rohingyas are not citizen of Burma and the only solution is keeping them in camps and sending them to third country,” he added.

RB News

May 16, 2015

Successive Myanmar governments have been introducing policies to repress the Rohingya since the 1960s, according to Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (Brouk). They argue that Rohingyas are not a genuine ethnic group but Bengali migrants who represent a divisive leftover from colonial times. 

They are denied basic services and their movements are severely restricted. The oppression of the Rohingyas has gradually intensified since the process of reforms introduced by President Thein Sein in 2011, Brouk says. In June and October 2012 there were large scale attacks on Rohingyas in Rakhine State. 

In addition, in March, the government revoked white cards - or "temporary registration certificates" - that had been issued to hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas. This meant that they no longer have the right to vote in the upcoming elections in November. 

BROUK President Tun Khin was invited to the BBC studio in London and he said “President Thein Sein government is trying to get the whole Rohingya minority to get out of Burma. Burmese government is doing genocidal acts against Rohingyas by denying rights to work, rights to move, rights to access education and most recently rights to vote. The government is pushing Rohingyas to the camps and denying access to aid, giving them two options live in camps or leave from Burma." 

As a Priority, Tun Khin mentioned “Firstly Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia have to immediately stop pushing boats and have to send out their navies to find the remaining boats and provide them with humanitarian assistance”. He strongly urged that "The UN, EU, OIC, US and UK have to cooperate with ASEAN countries to address the root cause of the problem, which is to stop persecution against Rohingyas in Burma. For the International community, stronger action is urgently needed to protect the Rohingyas of Burma. We really need immediate action from international community to save our people."

RB News

May 15, 2015

Several thousand people are still believed to be stuck in boats off the coasts of Thailand and Malaysia. 

Most are Rohingya Muslims who cannot go back to Myanmar, also known as Burma, where they are not recognised as citizens of the country and are regularly persecuted. 

Some of those who are adrift in the Andaman Sea have been provided with food, water and medicine by the Thai navy. 

It is not clear how many other boats are in a similar predicament. 

Some boats containing migrants have been towed over to the Malaysian side of the border - where most migrants want to go - only to be taken back into Thai waters. 

"No-one wants them," the BBC's Jonathan Head says, and seeing them off the southern coast of Thailand, near Koh Lipe, that it is a "desperate sight" as they beg for food and water. 

On one crowded vessel with a lot of women and children on board, our correspondent saw people drinking their own urine from bottles. 

The migrants - including 50 women and 84 children - said they had been at sea for three months. 

Their situation became critical when their crew abandoned them without a working engine six days ago anchored near the Thai-Malaysian border. 

Late evening on Wednesday Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK President Tun Khin mentioned about why Rohingyas fleeing from their own native land at BBC studio in London. Tun Khin said “The government is trying to get all Rohingyas to get out of Burma. That is systematic plan of President Thein Sein government and International Community lack of action encouraged President Thein Sein Government to drive out Rohingya from Burma. Denying citizenship, imposing restrictions on movement, marriage, education and created state sponsored violence against the Rohingya pushing them into camps, then blocking off aid. The government's policy for them gives the the choice to stay in the camps or leave from Burma.”

RB News

May 10, 2015

The 6th Annual European Parliament edition of the One World Human Rights Documentary Film Festival has taken place on 5th, 6th, 7th and 11 of May, 2015 at the premises of the European Parliament. The Film Festival was organised Sakrouv Prize Network People in Need organization. The topics of the screenings and panel discussions include the war in Syria, change in Burma/Myanmar. The screenings and panel discussions on Burma and took place on 6th of May. The Burma panel co-organised by Christian Solidarity Worldwide and was moderated Ben Rogers, Head of East Asia Team of Christian Solidarity Worldwide. The speakers include Tun Khin, the President of Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Ranieri Sabatucci, EEAS, Head of the South-East Asia Division, Barbara Lochbihler, Director General of Foreign Affairs and Human Rights from EEAS.

The Panel Members of the European Parliament, journalists, representatives of the EEAS (European External Action Service) and Officials from Burmese Embassy attended. Before the Panel discussion on Burma, Meiktihla stacks film and freedom of expression film shown on the screen. 

BROUK President Tun Khin discussed continued supported of the anti-Muslim and anti-Rohingya hate speech in Burma and given impunity by Burmese Authorities. He seriously raised the news of the tragic Rohingya mass graves in Thailand. His main points were the white card issue, an International investigation required on mass graves in Thailand and daily Crimes being Perpetrated by Burmese Government security forces in Arakan.

Tun Khin said to RB News “It is a good timing to raise urgent Rohingya mass graves issue in Thailand. I am glad to see that EU Officials have shown their willingness to cooperate with ASEAN to solve Rohingya issue and white card issue. EU Officials have mentioned ASEAN will not consider anymore that the Rohingya issue is an internal issue for Burma. I also urged EU other international bodies have to call international investigation on Rohingya mass graves and appealed to resettle Rohingya refugees from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries to European union countries as a matter urgency”.

Ranieri Sabatucci, EEAS, Head of the South-East Asia Division and Barbara Lochbihler Director General of Foreign Affairs and Human Rights from EEAS pinpointed their recent visit to Arakan State. Both EU Top Officials also pinpointed their recent discussion with Burmese Ministers of the Rohingya white card issue, Aid Issues and the issue of hate speech.

RB News

May 6, 2015

BROUK’s President Tun Khin was invited to brief on the deteriorating situation of Rohingya at the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide at United State Memorial Holocaust Museum on May 28th before receiving the leadership award from Refugees International. At the meeting director from Prevention and Genocide, Officials from US state department, Dan Sullivan from United to End Genocide, Simon from US Campaign for Burma and others were in attendance. 

Tun Khin pinpointed the revoking of white cards will affect Rohingya voting rights for the first time in Burma. He strongly mentioned the government's long time intention to wipe out Rohingyas from Burma, decades of persecution and destruction against Rohingyas by Burmese Government. All participants discussed about future strategy on the Rohingya issue. BROUK ‘s President Tun Khin accompanied by General Secretary Jarmal, briefed US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour at US State Department, Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the Senate Building and briefed at Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. The delegation highlighted the updated situation of Rohingyas in Arakan, the current white cad issue, Rohingya refugee’s situation outside Burma and Rohingya student Education issue. The delegations strongly urged US the following:

1. To support UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to negotiate to get in Aid for Rohingya IDPs in Arakan.

2. To Put pressure on Burmese government to restore Rohingya citizenship and to provide citizenship card by replacing white card

3. To support International Independent Investigation where thousands of Rohingyas killed in June and October of 2012.

4. To provide education for Rohingyas in Arakan through UN where Rohingya students are completely blocked from going to University for decades.

5. To resettle Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia where Rohingyas are living in squalid conditions.

In New York, the delegation briefed on the serious situation of Rohingya to International Rescue Committee, Global Centre for Justice, US mission to UN, EU mission to UN, OIC Ambassador to UN and the UN Prevention for Genocide group. Tun Khin was also invited to speak on a panel at New York New School together with photographer Greg Constantine, a photographer and author of the Documentary photo Project, Professor Danial Naujoks from New School and Sarnata Senior advisor on Human Rights from Refugees International.

BROUK President Tun Khin received Richard C. Holbrooke Leadership award from Refugees International in Washington DC at Refugees International 36th Anniversary Dinner on 28th April 2015. The anniversary ceremony took place at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium at Washington DC. Matt Dillon, American Film actor Director, H.M. Queen Noor of Jordan, many ambassadors from Washington DC, Many high level US Officials, BROUK’s General Secretary Ahamed Jarmal and more than 500 dignitaries attended. 

At First the American Film Actor Matt Dillon host as Master of Ceremony and Opening remarks were given by the President of Refugees International and Queen Noor of Jordan. 

In the evening Along with Tun Khin, Senator Coons, a Champion for Human Rights in Senate Foreign Relations Committee were honoured with a Congressional Leadership Award. Maureen Orth, who has dedicated much time for Columbian people was honoured with a Humanitarian award. 

BROUK President gave his speech after receiving the award where the audience moved and were drawn attention to the Rohingya issue. BROUK president said “It is a great honour receiving this award on behalf of the Rohingya people." It is a great opportunity where more than 500 dignified people attended including Queen Noor of Jordan, Actor Matt Dillon and other celebrities to highlight decades of persecution and destruction against Rohingya by Burmese Government. The audience had shown their sympathy on Rohingya’s cause. I hope that they will definitely make some practical actions to stop persecution against Rohingyas”. 

Her Majesty, Queen Noor of Jordan said very sympathetic words on the Rohingya issue and will do her Majesty’s best to stop persecution against the Rohingya people. 

It is a great event and a great honour for Rohingya people getting an opportunity to highlight their persecution. 

Before the evening closed, all awardees were honoured with lunch by his Excellency Ambassador of Spain residence. More than twenty Ambassadors and board members of Refugees International joined with the awardees at lunch.

RB News
April 20, 2015

RB News

March 27, 2015

According to the mandate given by the "First European Rohingya Conference" held in Denmark last December, a delegation of 3 Rohingya representatives travelled to Brussels to lobby the European Commission, European Parliament and other related institutions. The delegation was comprised of Tun Khin, President of Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Sazaat Ahammed from Netherlands, and Sayed Hussein, Chairman of Rohingya Organisation Norway. 

On the first day of the event the delegation briefed the Swedish permanent representative to EU, Netherlands permanent representative to the EU, and the US mission delegation.

On the second day the European Rohingya delegates briefed Top Officials from South East Asia European External Action Service, Officials from Foreign Affairs External Policies European Parliament, Sub Committee on Human Rights and Director General from External Policies, Jean Lambert Member of European Parliament.

During the third day the delegation met MEP (Member of the European Parliament) Afzal Khan MEP David Martin, Director General from European Commission Humanitarian aid Office (ECHO).

The European Rohingya delegation strongly emphasized updates of the situation of the Rohingya people of Arakan. The delegates specifically highlighted in particular the revoking of white cards (resident IDs) and lost rights of the Rohingya. They urged the European Union to put pressure on the Burmese government to stop its plan to subject the Rohingya to the so-called national verification process which requires them to identify themselves as Bengalis. They also stressed the need to allow them continue their right of integration by granting them full citizenship with their ethnic identity as ‘Rohingya’. 

The delegation pinpointed that the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State and impoverishment of the Rohingya is part of a long-term policy of repression of the ethnic Rohingya which has been stepped up since the reform process began in 2011. As a result of Burmese government policies, actions and inaction, almost one million ethnic Rohingya are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. 160,000 of these are living in squalid camps in Rakhine State. The delegation stressed that as the EU is a major aid donor to also provide more aid to Rohingya IDPS and urged the European Union to support Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to personally take the lead in negotiating international humanitarian access. A similar effort in 2008 after Cyclone Nargis succeeded in increasing humanitarian access.

The delegation brought to the attention of the European Parliament members how the commission established by the Burmese government of Burma failed to address issues of accountability and justice. It is clear that the government of Burma is not willing to conduct a genuine investigation into the cause of the violence, to establish who was responsible for inciting and organizing the violence, and to hold those who organized and took part in the attacks to account. An independent international investigation will not only help establish the truth, but also help prevent further attacks by ensuring for the first time that those responsible will fear being held accountable. Recommendations can also be made to prevent further violence.

Moreover the delegation suggested that those inciting hatred and violence are well known in Burma, but no action has been taken against them. President Thein Sein has supported those individuals who are also inciting violence. The Delegation Urged the EU to put strong pressure to stop hate speech against Rohingyas and other minorities of Burma. The Delegation also spoke of how Rohingya community and political leaders, are subject to arbitrary arrest, detention, and harassment in Myanmar. Prisoners of conscience in Myanmar remain at risk of torture and other forms of ill-treatment. The delegation urged the EU to put pressure on President Thein Sein and the Burmese government immediately and unconditionally to release a group of five Rohingya prisoners of conscience being held in Sittwe prison.

The Delegation stressed that Rohingya people are leaving Arakan in hundreds every day by taking extremely dangerous sea-journeys to escape persecution by Burmese authorities. Currently 10% of population have been driven out by the government of Burma and the crisis should stop by EU pressure immediately. Rohingyas are facing a slow burning genocide and international presence is immediately needed to protect the Rohingyas of Arakan, The delegation also urged European countries to resettle those Rohingyas refugees to their countries.​

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.