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 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."