Since May this year, Myanmar has witnessed an escalation in the simmering tension between two groups of people in Rakhine State. The violence between the Rakhine (also known as Arakan) and Rohingya (also known as Bengali) has led to the death of at least 88 people and displacement of thousands of others. Unofficial reports, however, put the number of deaths in the hundreds.

The immediate cause of the violence was the rape and murder of a Rakhine Buddhist woman on May 28 by three male Rohingya. This was followed by a retaliatory killing of 10 Muslims by a mob of Rakhine on June 3. It should be noted that tension between these two groups has existed for several decades.

Several questions are being routinely asked: Why has little apparently been done to resolve the conflict? Is there a possibility of reaching a permanent solution to this protracted problem? Much blame has also been directed at both the Myanmar government and the opposition, led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

As members of the international community are trying to promote their own national interests in newly democratic Myanmar, sectarian violence such as we have seen in Rakhine State has not been paid serious attention, especially by Western powers.

While Human Rights Watch has criticised the Myanmar government for failing to prevent the initial unrest, majority Muslim nations, such as Indonesia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Malaysia have criticised what they allege is discrimination against the Rohingya based on their religious beliefs.

The sensitivity of the issue has silenced many from discussing it publicly. Even the internationally acclaimed human rights champion and leader of the democratic opposition, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has made only brief comments about the conflict, emphasising the need to establish an adequate citizenship law.

The root of the problem begins with the nomenclature itself. Although many of the Muslims in Rakhine State call themselves Rohingya, the Myanmar government and many of the country’s citizens call them illegal Bengali migrants from neighbouring Bangladesh.

Since the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh have refused to accept them as their citizens, the Rohingya have automatically become stateless under international law. Under such circumstances, are there any possible solutions to the problem?

President U Thein Sein suggested that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) should consider resettling the Rohingya in other countries. Although such proposal may sound ideal to many, there would definitely be challenges in terms of implementation.

For example, will there be a nation or nations willing to welcome and embrace the million or so Rohingya people? Moreover, UNHCR chief Antonio Guterres has rejected the idea of resettlement. Even if the agency reconsidered its position, would the UNHCR offices in Myanmar and Bangladesh have adequate resources to process such a large number of people?

One possible solution is for the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh to reach an amicable arrangement to integrate the Rohingya population into their respective societies. There are about 800,000 Rohingya inside Myanmar and another 300,000 in Bangladesh.

This proposition also has its own challenges. Chiefly, will the indigenous Rakhine accept Rohingya as their fellow citizens and live peacefully with them? On the other hand, will the Bangladesh government change its policy and offer citizenship to the Rohingya?

Another possible solution is that Myanmar can amend its 1982 citizenship law to pave the way for the Rohingya to apply for citizenship. As Minister for Immigration and Population U Khin Yi told Radio Free Asia recently, under the existing law foreigners can apply for citizenship only if they are born in Myanmar, their parents and grandparents have lived and died in Myanmar, they are literate in Burmese and meet some additional criteria.

Finally, to prevent a further escalation in tensions, the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh need to secure their porous international borders to prevent illegal movements.

None of the above suggested policies are simple and easy to achieve. Despite the challenges and difficulties, the Rohingya issue cannot be ignored for too long. Without addressing the crux of the problem, the May incident and the violence it sparked could recur, with even more tragic consequences.

Until a solution is achieved, international institutions, such as the United Nations and Association of Southeast Asian Nations, should pressure the Myanmar government to take steps to resolve the problem of Rohingya statelessness in a holistic manner, rather than inciting, or allowing others to incite, hatred along religious or racial lines.

(Nehginpao Kipgen is general secretary of the United States-based Kuki International Forum. His research interests include political transition, democratisation, human rights, ethnic conflict and identity politics and he has written numerous peer-reviewed and non-academic articles on the politics of Myanmar and Asia.)

Sources Here:

Operation against Rohingyas 

Since then, frequent operations against Rohingyas have been taking place in order to wipe out Rohingyas from Burma and that subsequently results extrajudicial killings, tortures, expulsions of Rohingyas and mass exodus of refugees. To name some of operations carried out against Rohingya population since 1962 are: 

1) Kyi Operation (1966) 

2) Ngazinka Operation (1967-69) 

3) Myat Mon Operation (1961-71) 

4) Major Aung Than Operation (1973) 

5) Sabe Operation (1974-78) 

6) Naga Min (King Dragon) Operation (1978-79) 

7) Shwe Hintha Operation (1978-80) 

8) Galone Operation (1979) 

9) New Citizenship Law in 1982 

10) Pyi Thaya Operation (1991-92) 

Among the operations above, Naga Min operation caused forced exodus of around 300,000 Rohingyas to Bangladesh, while Pyi Thaya operation led an exodus of approximately 268,000 Rohingyas to Bangladesh.[1] (AsianTribune Online Article, July 2012) The 1982 citizenship law of Burma, which was highly condemned internationally, stripped of citizenships from all Rohingyas. As a result of this, Rohingyas are still living in a stateless situation in their own ancestral land. 

Whether one believes or not, similar or worse kind of atrocities against Rohingyas in Arakan state of Burma is going on today and at this moment. But this time around, atrocities against and onslaught of Rohingyas has been systematically planned by Burmese regime and Buddhist extremist ally for a long time. Unlike atrocities in the past, Rohingyas are locked in Arakan and have silently been being silently killed. 

When the Campaign to Wipe Out Rohingyas Started? 

Though Rohingyas have been looked as strangers and unwanted people for decades by the xenophobes in Burma, the real anti-Rohingya campaigns that led to the current genocides started in November 2011. BBC reporter Anna Jones in October 2010 described Rohingyas as one of the minorities of Burma and of the world that high possibility of extinction. After more than one year of this report, it was made a mountain of a molehill by the extremist Rakhine politicians, some bigoted Rakhine intellectuals at home and abroad and some self-interested regime’s puppets. They further instigated anti-Rohingya movements and campaigns at home and abroad. 

The ultra-nationalists rulers throughout Burmese history left no stone unturned to erase the history of Rohingyas and to destroy their ancient religious and cultural monuments in their efforts to cleanse Rohingyas. Therefore, though Rohingyas have been living in Arakan state for centuries, they or their name, Rohingya had not known to the general Burmese people until recently. When the Burmese people came to know about Rohingyas, it was in a bad light. The tyrannical regime and Rakhine extremist did everything to portray Rohingyas to the Burmese people as the outsiders trying to invade the country and harming the country’s sovereignty. And their malicious efforts proved to be fruitful. 

Beginning of the Current Ethnic Cleansing of Rohingyas 

To one’s shocking surprise, on 28th May 2012, at a time when anti-Rohingya sentiment is running high among Rakhine population, the news of raping and killing of a Rakhine woman in Rambre allegedly by three Rohingya boys, an incident which had no eyewitnesses. Taking the situation and condition of the place where the crime took place into consideration, many analysts concluded that this incident was fabricated and masterminded by unknown powers to instigate racial riot. Even if the incident actually took place, it is a crime and all the criminals involved must be punished according to the law. 

Quite disgustingly and unexpectedly, Burmese state media spread the news using derogatory words against Muslims such as Kular (Note: Kular is a derogatory term for the people of Indian descends in Myanmar and most of the Muslims in Myanmar happen to be of Indian origin) and took it as a tool to trigger anti-Rohingya or anti-Muslim hatred among general public of Burma. As a result, on 3rd June 2012, a group of 300 Rakhine hooligans crashed 10 Muslim pilgrims to death nearby an immigration office in Taung Gote Township of Arakan. The deceased people were neither Rohingyas nor had any connection with the earlier incident and were just on their way back after finishing their religious efforts from Than Dwe in Arakan. (Note: according to some political analysts, these 300 people were not Rakhines but the people brought to the place by the members of the Ruling party, USDP. Their intention was to trigger a racial riot). 

Subsequently, on Friday 8th June 2012, Rohingyas in Maung Daw planned to demonstrate for the inhumane massacres of 10 Muslim pilgrims after the congregational prayer. But the authority was ratherin hurry and arrogant to disperse their prayers let alone allowing them to demonstrate. When Rohingyas failed to disperse, the authority started shooting at Rohingyas and one Rohingya died on the spot. His dead body was not returned and taken away by the authority. While the dispersed Rohingyas were running hither and thither, they got attacked from Rakhine extremists, Police, Security Forces and NaSaKa (Border Security Affairs). Honestly speaking, the fighting between Rakhines and Rohingyas was mutual for a few hours after violence had begun. 

Ongoing Situation in the Nazi Extermination Camp Called Arakan 

The fighting was followed by subsequent torching of the houses of both Rohingyas and Rakhines. According to many Rakhines and Rohingyas, they don’t know the people who actually started torching their houses and said they were strangers to the region. Many of them accuse the government to have plotted and conspired to create violence. But from the evening of 8th June 2012 onward and till today, Rohingyas have been one-sidedly being attacked by the authority in cooperation with Rakhine extremists. 

The Burmese Regime and Rakhine extremists have been carrying out atrocities against Rohingyas, committing rapes against their women (including under-aged girls), looting their properties, torching their houses and arbitrary extortion of money. Almost all of Rohingyas; houses, properties and villages were either burned down or destroyed in Sittwe, Rathedaung and Kyauktaw and other parts of Arakan. Thousands of Roingyas are made to live in the temporary tents full of mud and in sub-human condition. 

Besides, according to martial law declared in Arakan since June 10, Rohingyas have been locked in their houses infinitely not knowing when the law will be withdrawn. Rohingyas have almost lost their ways and access to foods and medicine due to the martial and boycott against them led by Rakhine Buddhist Monks. It has been already more than three months now. Many of them every day are dying due to starvation and different diseases. Shockingly, the martial law is only applied for Rohingyas and Rakhines are set free and can do any barbaric acts and all kinds of tortures against Rohingyas: stabbing, beating and looting etc. Unfortunately, humanitarian workers and their assistances are limited to only few regions. 

Their educated people and religious leaders are being arrested, mosques were locked down and there have been no prayer in the mosques, while many of religious sites such as mosques were destroyed using bulldozers. There have been no five times prayer and Juma’at prayer for more than three months. The arrested Rohingyas including under-aged children are locked up in police custodies, prisons and in many unknown locations where they are tortured through various means sometimes using Rakhine hooligans from outside and kept starved. Subsequently, many Rohingyas are dying in the lock-ups. 

On the one hand, the government and Rakhine extremists are committing genocides and carrying out ethnic cleansing and on the other hand, they have been lying and deceiving the world about the situation and trying to cover up their crimes against humanity through using the state media and social media like facebook and twitter. They are taking every step to put the international community in the dark by restricting International Media, Independent Observers and humanitarian workers to the region. 

Pro-Nazi Rallies in Mandalay, Burma 

The radical Monks like Wirathu, abbot of the Damma-Thahaaya School of Mandalay New Masuyein Monastery are happily spreading anti-Muslim propaganda throughout Burma. Not to forget that Wirathu is the one who has led the killing of Muslim families and burning Muslim houses in Kyauk Se Township in central Burma. 

They are holding rallies against Rohingyas which is much like Nazi rally. Very recently, radical Monks protested against Rohingyas in Mandalay, the cultural centre of Burma. They condemned human rights organizations, NGOs etc and backed the President Thein Sein’s proposal to put all Rohingyas in the camps and subsequently send them to third countries as if Rohingyas have not been living there from the time of immemorial. They demanded that Nationalism must be given priority over humanism and human rights. 

These Monks were the same Monks who fought against evil Burmese dictators and for Justice in 2007. But this time, they are demonstrating for expulsion of a whole race of more than 1 Million. What one can realize here is that these Monks want Justice but for their own kind of people or race. One point to be noted here is that there are ideological similarities and commonness between Fascists German and Radical Monks in Burma. Fascist Germans were ultra-nationalists who worked for their own people. So are these Monks! To these radical Monks and extremist Buddhists, Rohingyas are inferior human beings. 

[1] (AsianTribune Online Article, July 2012, followed by URL:

http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2012/07/15/letter-america-rohingya-refugees, titled as Letter from America: Rohingya Refugees, published by Asian Tribune) [30th July 2012] 

Mohammed Sheikh Anwar is an activist studying Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies at Westminster International College, Malaysia 

The Rise of a Eichmann’s Hell in Burma (Part 1)

Arakan Rohingya Union Director General, Professor Dr. Wakar Uddin, urged the international community, including Malaysia, to be persistent in exerting pressure on the Myanmar government to permanently cease hostility toward the Rohingya ethnic minority in Myanmar and reinstate their citizenship with ethnic rights.

Dr. Uddin cautioned that there are significant numbers of ultra-nationalist hardliners in Myanmar Government; thus it is not likely to respond to scattered messages coming from individual countries or a few organizations. "Countries need to come together and put concerted pressure on the Myanmar government to stop their systematic and persistent genocide of the Rohingya people in the Rakhine state of Myanmar”.

 

"We need a multi-track approach. Not only from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) speaking up, but the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the United Nations (UN) should come forward with stronger message on one theme – give Rohingya all their ethnic rights and cease all the human right abuses permanently, and condemn the violence towards the Rohingya Muslims," Dr. Uddin urged at the international conference "Plight of the Rohingya: Solutions?" in Kuala Lumpur. He urged for a concerted international intervention effort to save the Rohingya people and that it should be continued and sustained until the problem is solved.

He called for a probe by United Nations to the massacre of Rohingya, and long term deployment of international monitoring teams and media in Rohingya regions in Arakan State. Dr. Uddin warned that the single most serious threat to security of Rohingya people in Arakan at this moment is the Rakhine Police force that is arresting hundreds of Rohingya arbitrarily and committing harsh treatments, torture, and cold blooded murders of Rohingya. He also deplored the rapes and violence against Rohingya women committed by Rakhine forces.

Dr. Uddin’s message to Myanmar government was “resolve the issues through dialogue between Rohingya leadership and the Burmese government, and other entities in Myanmar such as other political parties and ethnic minorities - even with Rakhine elements if they are interested in peaceful coexistence with Rohingya in Arakan”.

HAVING had the opportunity, as part of the UN multi-agency assistance programme, to extensively interact with the Rohingyas in Myanmar and in the refugee camps, I have come to know the Rohingyas as a highly resilient, intelligent, skilful and hard-working people. They have survived for many years on meagre resources, extreme limitations and in the face of danger and exploitation.

The Rohingyas are descendants of those from the undivided Indian subcontinent who settled in what's now the Arakan region of Myanmar. It was only several hundred years later when the borders of Burma and later Bangladesh were drawn, that the Rohingyas found themselves on one side or the other. However, those who had settled for generations in what then became the Rakhine state remained there until the Rakhine Buddhist community began to see them as "outsiders".

Soon the differences between them escalated, and with the involvement of the Myanmar military junta led to the systematic persecution and violence against the Rohingyas with thousands of them fleeing to nearby countries.

The Rohingyas in Myanmar, under a law passed almost 30 years ago, are termed as "residents" and do not qualify as citizens since they are not Myanmar by ethnic ancestral birth. As such, they cannot own land or enjoy the right to any health or education benefits or engage in economic activities.

Several thousand Rohingyas who fled Myanmar, live in ghettos and refugee camps in Bangladesh (approximately 300,000) and in areas along the Thai-Myanmar border (about 100,000), while they are also refugees in Pakistan, India, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. As refugees, their plight in many of these countries is as dire.

For the past four decades, the Rohingya issue has been discussed, without any concrete outcomes, while their predicament has worsened to the point of being one of the worst humanitarian calamities of our time.

Many well-meaning solutions have been put forward, ranging from persuading, or even compelling, the Myanmar government to accept the Rohingyas as citizens, to their resettlement in third countries.

There are even calls for Aung San Suu Kyi to demand the right of citizenship for the Rohingyas. Suu Kyi has made it clear that every genuine refugee must have the right to return and be treated in accordance with international law. But, more than that, she has said that everyone concerned must continue to work actively with Myanmar for a solution.

Let's be clear. No refugee return in history has succeeded on the basis of compelling a country, against its wishes, to accept the refugees back. Even if the present Myanmar government is willing, there is no guarantee that the Rakhine Buddhist community will accept the Rohingyas to live on equal terms with them.

As the Myanmar government has shown its willingness to consider those who can be granted citizenship status and rights, it would be prudent for the international community to pursue that option, ensuring that Rohingyas in Myanmar and those who return and be accepted as citizens, are afforded the same privileges as other citizens.

The Rohingyas whom the Myanmar authorities will not accept for whatever reason, will have no choice but to be assisted for third country resettlement.

It is imperative that the international community, in particular the UN and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) address this humanitarian crisis with urgency and find a workable solution to this progressive extinction of the Rohingyas.

ွSources Here:

Charity Dinner was held last Friday in London Muslim Center. The Charity dinner was organized by Muslim Aid. Many NGOs and British Muslim communities attended to the dinner including Arsenal & France Football Star Abou Diaby. There are about 600 people attended to the charity dinner . 

BROUK President Tun Khin and Arsenal & France Football Star Abou Diaby gave speech during the dinner.

Arsenal Football star said he was concerned injustice going on Rohingya people of Burma. He thanks to organisations and attendees joining to the dinner urged to keep continue to support Rohingya's cause. 

BROUK President Tun Khin Said : 

Recent violence was well- planned by State Government led by RNDP and Thein Sein’s Central government .During the violence Police Officer, Security Forces and Rakhine carried out attacks on the Muslim Rohingyas in the streets and villages of and Rathedaung where almost all the Rohingya villages and houses were burned down or destroyed. 

A curfew has been imposed in the troubled areas. The Rakhine equipped with lethal weapons and set free to attack Rohingya Muslims. Police and security forces opened fire on Muslims’ homes at random, even in the dead of night. 

Those Rohingyas killed or shot dead were taken away by the security forces. The dead bodies have not been returned to their families. The dead bodies were reportedly burned into ashes or thrown into the sea. There were reports of dead bodies floating in the water. 

When state-sponsored violence started UN agencies, UNHCR and NGOs engaged in humanitarian and relief operations had left Arakan as the government warned them could not ensure their security. In the absence of evidence, the Rakhine extremists or security forces, \police carried out their genocidal actions without the knowledge of the outside world. 

People are dying every day because they do not have any food. Many people have been arrested, beaten and killed when they went out to buy food. They have become starving refugees in their homes. Thousands of people are facing starvation in the countryside remote areas. 

BROUK President Tun Khin appealed organizations that were attended, “We, Rohingyas need urgent safety, security and Humanitarian aid in Arakan State. President Thein Sein government and State Government (RNDP) systematically preplanned to take place the recent violence to eliminate Rohingya people of Arakan. We urgently need Humanitarian intervention in Arakan State. We called on all Muslim countries to ensure that the establishment of such an investigation is included in the text of the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly resolution on Burma, and in the text of the next United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on Burma” 

BROUK President finally urged to put pressure on Thein Sein government to provide safety and Security along with to restore ethnic Rohingya and citizenship rights”

RB News Desk.

Oregon Rally



Please view more picture here

• Freedom of Religious 
• Peaceful coexistence in Bumra 
• Human Right for Rohingya 
• Restore citizenship right of Rohingya which was taken away By General Newin 
• To Stop Ethnic Cleansing and Genocide 
• To Stop racial segregation in Arakan Burma 
• To free Political Rohinyga prisoners 
• Not to stop rebuilding villages and mosques at original places 
• To stop harassing Rohingya man and woman by security forces 

RB News Desk

Interview of Mr. Yusuf Iqbal ( Oregon ) and Nay San Oo ( NYC)

 QRC representatives extending support to the displaced Rohingya Muslims

An emergency response team from the Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) has reached the Rohingya camps established by the Government of Myanmar near Sittwe, the city where violence broke out between Alrakain Buddhist and Rohingya Muslim groups in June.

The violence has resulted in more than 300 people being killed, over 3,000 homes burned and 70,000 people displaced and scattered in dozens of camps in several villages in Rakhine province, according to reports by the United Nations.

Other human rights organisations suggest that the number of refugees might be bigger, though it is hard to find out the exact number of displaced people due to the absence of a recording system and the restrictions imposed by the local authorities in the province.

QRC’s emergency response team has identified immediate humanitarian needs in the camps. Initial information indicates that malaria, diarrhea, and eye and skin diseases have begun to spread among refugees due to the absence of sanitation and hygiene, and safe shelters coupled with the heavy rainfall and swamps formation.

The QRC has undertaken relief efforts in the Rakhine province with a $ 1.5mn assistance provided by the Qatar Government.

As an initial response, QRC distributed food and non-food materials such as bedsheets, plastic sheets as well as mosquito nets to reduce the spread of malaria for 400 families.

QRC aims to meet the immediate and short term needs at the camps in co-ordination with the Myanmar Red Cross (MRC), the only National Society that provides services in the refugee camps.

Together with the MRC, the QRC will work to provide urgent health relief by operating a number of mobile clinics in the camp areas, apart from undertaking health awareness sessions, contributing to fight the spread of mosquitoes, and implementing a temporary shelter programme as the information from the field indicates that the local authorities do not intend to return the refugees to their homes in Sittwe any time soon for fear of renewed violence.

Earlier, QRC had contributed to the relief of those affected by Myanmar Nargis Cyclone in 2008 sending relief items worth $300,000.

Sources Here :

Mr. Zaw Min Htut, President of Burmese Rohingya Association in Japan had meeting with Mr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of Association of South East Asia Nation (ASEAN) on September 19, 2012 at Hotel New Otani in Tokyo, Japan. 

In the meeting, after the presentation of Mr. Zaw Min Htut, ASEAN Secretary General Mr. Surin Pitsuwan responded that he will work more vigorously on Rohingya issue and want to see a long lasting solution very near future. He said that he will work with UN, OIC and Myanmar government to find a solution for long suffering Rohingyas. He added that Rohingyas should be recognized as ethnic minority of Myanmar and granted citizenship by Myanmar government. 

Mr. Surin Pitsuwan said "There is not only religious discrimination but also Rohingyas were discriminated ethnically and politically. We should look back to their long suffering under the successive military government since 1962." 

Mr. Surin Pitsuwan encouraged all Rohingya activists around the world to work more actively till the goal is met.

RB News Desk

CBRO Team
RB News
September 22, 2012

The members of the Canadian Burmese Rohingya Organization of Canada (CBRO) Mr. Nur Hashim, Chairperson and two other members held a meeting with Canadian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Deepak Obhrai on September 19, 2012 at 4 pm at the parliamentary hill. 

In the meeting CBRO raised ongoing violence on Rohingya ethnic minority and about more Rohingya casualties by Rakhine Buddhists mobs and Burmese security forces in Rakhine State of Myanmar. CBRO handed in a petition letter with the multiples demands to Mr. Deepak Obhrai. CBRO urged Mr. Obhrai to draw keen attention to the onging atrocities on Rohingya. 

Mr. Obhrai promised that his office opened and continued the dialogue with the Burmese government and Bangladesh government to resolve the Rohingya issue. 

The Petition Letter: 

On August 29th, the U.S. government waived travel sanctions against U Thein Sein, Burma’s President and former general of Burma’s dissolved military regime, allowing him to travel freely during his visit to the UN General Assembly this month. The United States also eased economic sanctions against Burma this year, allowing U.S. businesses to invest in the heavily sanctioned country.

The Obama Administration hopes to encourage further reforms by lifting sanctions. But in doing so, it is overlooking the suffering of a group the UN designates as one of the world’s most heavily persecuted communities, the Rohingya Muslims. When President Thein Sein makes his visit to New York next week, U.S. government officials should constructively press him on the Rohingya issue.

Visa and financial restrictions against certain Burmese government officials, members of their families, and their business associates;

In an open letter to the US Senators and Congressmen Dr. Habib Siddiqui has urged the U.S. Congress not to lift its ban on any trade and commerce with Myanmar until a fundamental change takes place positively impacting the lives of those Rohingya and other minorities, guaranteeing their citizenship as equals and rights and privileges restored and secured.

Given below the full text of the letter by Dr. Habib Siddiqui :

Dear Congressman/Senator,

WASHINGTON - The United States lifted sanctions on two of Myanmar's top leaders as the Congress hailed Aung San Suu Kyi as a hero of democracy in a lavish ceremony unthinkable only months ago.The move to end the sanctions on Myanmar President Thein Sein and parliamentary speaker Thura Shwe Mann came Wednesday, just hours after Suu Kyi had called for US sanctions crippling her impoverished nation to be lifted.She also met fellow Nobel Peace laureate President Barack Obama for the first time, after being presented with the Congressional Gold Medal in the imposing surroundings of the historical Rotunda on Capitol Hill.The White House said Obama reaffirmed US support for political and economic reforms in Myanmar, and full protection of human rights, in order to shape "a more peaceful, free and prosperous future" for the country.Myanmar was ruled by an iron-fisted junta for decades but, since taking office last year, a reformist government under former general Thein Sein has freed political prisoners and allowed Suu Kyi's party into electoral politics."From the depths of my heart I thank you, the people of America... for keeping us in your hearts and minds during the dark years when freedom and justice seemed beyond our reach," Suu Kyi said, as she was handed the award."We believe that we can go forward in unity and in peace," the Nobel Peace Prize laureate said."There will be difficulties in the way ahead, but I'm confident that we shall be able to overcome all obstacles with the help and support of our friends."The US Treasury later dropped both Thein Sein and Shwe Mann from its list of "Specially Designated Nationals," those individuals and companies sanctioned for links to terrorism, narcotics or other crimes.The two men "have taken concrete steps to promote political reforms and human rights, and to move Burma away from repression and dictatorship toward democracy and freedom," the Treasury said in a statement.They had been placed on the list in 2007 as the United States stepped up pressure on the then-ruling military junta, in which Thein Sein served as first secretary and Shwe Mann was joint chief of staff of the armed forces.Freed in 2010 after 15 years under house arrest, Suu Kyi received a rapturous welcome on her first visit to Washington since her release."It's almost too delicious to believe, my friend, that you are here in the rotunda of our great Capitol, the centerpiece of our democracy, as an elected member of your parliament," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.But Clinton said a different phase of Suu Kyi's work was just beginning as she helps build democracy in Myanmar."The United States will stand with her, with the president of Burma and those who are reformers... as they fan the flickers of democratic progress and press forward with reform," the top US diplomat vowed.Suu Kyi was also praised by veteran Republican Senator John McCain who, in a moving speech, called her "my personal hero.""I want to thank you... for teaching me, at my age, a thing or two about courage," said McCain, 76, who spent more than five years in the notorious "Hanoi Hilton" as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict.Suu Kyi's own remarks, from a podium flanked by six US flags and white marble statues of Abraham Lincoln and US civil war general Ulysses S. Grant, were bookended by standing ovations."This is one of the most moving days in my life," said Suu Kyi, who modestly described herself as "a stranger from a distant land."The Obama administration has taken pains to ensure the celebration around her visit does not detract from a simultaneous trip to the United States by Thein Sein, who ushered in the reforms much to global surprise.US officials say Thein Sein - who will take part in the UN General Assembly next week - deserves to be recognized for pushing through such speedy changes. The United States began rolling back its economic embargo in July, opening Myanmar up to US investment despite Suu Kyi's earlier unease about US firms doing business with the state-owned oil and gas company."There are very many other ways in which the United States can help us to achieve our democratic ends and help us to build up the kind of democratic institutions that we are in such need of," Suu Kyi said on Tuesday."Sanctions are not the only way."Many US observers say Thein Sein launched the reforms out of concern over Beijing's overwhelming political and economic dominance in Myanmar.Clinton, however, has also called for Myanmar to address tensions in Rakhine state, where recent violence between majority Buddhists and the Muslim Rohingya minority left scores dead and displaced tens of thousands of people.Suu Kyi has come in for rare criticism from human rights activists, who have pressed her to speak out on behalf of the 800,000-strong Rohingya population.

Sources Here:

UNITED NATIONS, September 21 -- After Aung San Suu Kyi met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday morning, a floor below a throng of media and even Ambassadors gathered. There was a smattering of applause as Aung San Suu Kyi walked from the elevator to the adjacent rostrums at the stakeout. 

ASSK, as many here call her, was in the past a UN staff member, and now an icon. But still more messy questions exist, such as her silence on the plight of the Rohingya in Myanmar, or Burma, as some here call it. 

Ban Ki-moon's summary of their meeting did not mention the issue; nor did ASSK or the questions Ban's spokesman selected. Yes, ASSK is in context a rare UN good news or success story. But particularly for that reason, questions of the stateless Rohingya who suffer religious prejudice in majority Buddhist Myanmar as Muslim should not be swept under the rug. Watch this site. 

Footnote: In the crowd awaiting ASSK was the Permanent Representative of New Zealand, with his cell phone out to take a photo. Such is the star power of ASSK. Then, just after the stakeout, a meeting of the Latin American grouping CELAC was suspended, with "no consensus" after a Paraguay arrival. But that's another story - watch this site.

Sources Here:

ASEAN, UN, NATO, OIC urged to act  

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The international community, including Malaysia, must put pressure on the Myanmar government to cease the abuse of the Rohingya ethnic minority and recognise them as citizens of Myanmar. 

Arakan Rohingya Union director-general Professor Dr Wakar Uddin cautioned that the Myanmar government was arrogant and would not respond to scattered messages from a few organisations. 

"Countries need to come together and put concerted pressure on the Myanmar government to stop their systematic and persistent genocide of the Rohingya people in the Rakhine state of Myanmar. 

"We need a multi-track approach. Not only must the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) speak up, but the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) and the United Nations (UN) should come in to condemn the violence towards the Rohingya Muslims," Wakar urged at the one-day international conference "Plight of the Rohingya: Solutions?" at the Islamic Arts Museum here yesterday. 

He urged for a concerted international intervention effort to improve the plight of the Rohingya people and that it should be continued and sustained until the problem is solved. 

"Being redundant can be good. It does not hurt the international community to repeat the same message again and again to the Myanmar government as this will drive the message home." 

Panelists at the conference pointed out that the discrimination against the Rohingya people was a direct result of the Myanmar government's decision to strip them of their citizenship under the 1982 citizenship law and all agreed that the law be repealed. 

"Once the Rohingya have citizenship, we have the basis to fight for the other violations of their human rights." 

He said that the international media and monitoring teams also needed to be in the region to report the situation in Rakhine. 

Wakar also proposed the international community ensure that Rakhine's current police force, which had allegedly participated in the abuse of Rohingya, is disbanded and replaced with a force that includes the Rohingya to keep the violence towards the community in check. 

The Rohingya people have been described as "among the world's least wanted" and "one of the world's most persecuted minorities." 

President Tun Khin of Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK was interviewed by Radio 786, Cape Town, South Africa yesterday. During the interview he said, “We, Rohingyas need urgent safety, security and Humanitarian aid in Arakan State. President Thein Sein government and State Government (RNDP) systematically preplanned to take place the recent violence to eliminate Rohingya people of Arakan. He also mentioned urgent need Humanitarian intervention in Arakan State where people are continuously dying day by day. He also highlighted Rohingya people are he original people of Arakan and it Rohang is the old name of Arakan He strongly call on International community to put pressure on USDP government to provide safety and Security along with to restore ethnic Rohingya and citizenship rights

Introduction 

It was exactly after Jumaa, Muslim-Weekly-collective Prayer, while like every other Fridays, I was sitting on my computer desk and doing customary activities, one of my face book friends messaged me that one man was shot dead in Maungdaw by the police. Who could have ever thought that that incident would take the whole of Rohingyas’ freedom, security and peace away? 

I remained unconcerned (as seriously concerned as now I am) about the incident as thought that it was a minor problem and will soon be settled. The next day when I rang to my home, he was explaining me the whole incident that police open fired the Rohingya Muslims people while they were on their way to other Mosque for congressional prayer as they missed it in the Central Mosque. From that point, the sectarian violence has erupted the whole of Arakan between the two sister community Rohingya and Rakhines (Moghs) burning each other’s homes, destroying properties and killing innocent people. It is confirmed that the violence has got its pregnancy from the Taunggoke massacres; still one community is blaming the other. Whatever the reason and whoever is liable for the violence it is undeniable that the Muslim minorities of Rohingyas are passing their moments in deadliest situation while the Rakhines are being guarded and secured by the Government forces. 

Whereabouts is not known 

The last time I had conversation with him was two days before they were taken to an unknown location. I did not enjoy the last time phone conversation with him as if some fear was in each mind. I recognized this. That doubt was growing in my mind from that very time. Till 16/06/2012, they have attended two three meeting as village prominent leaders in sector head quarter organized by col. of sector HQ in concern of the current situation. Every time I talked with him on the phone it seemed to me that he knows something wrong will be going to befall on the whole community. 

On 15/072012 the combined force including army and NaSaKa raided the villages and tortured every one young, old alike leaving all into the condition of partial or total disability. At that time they were preparing for Juma prayer at home as it was not allowed by authority to collectively perform Juma and were lucky enough to escape from being captured leaving house full of women and children whom were later driven out from the houses for checking against the family list and questioning by the combined forces and gathered in school like chickens threatening very inhumanly. The family list was confiscated and returned after one month. This was a close shape indeed. 

On 11/07/2012 the shop line in front of the house was destroyed and looted the goods by the combined gang of army, NaSaKa and local Rakhines. No attack was made to the family members at that time. Still no one was aware of that the family was on the target. On 16th of June they were invited for the meeting as usual together with village chairman after which they still not return to their dearest ones. 

Again on 25th of June the village was second time raided and 24 innocent people were arrested and tortured. Six people including one woman were later released on the same day after severely tortured. Their beard were burnt and tortured till bleeding from the mouths and noses making them life long suffering and disability. The other elderly man was punched on the face making him blind because eye ball has come out of the spot. Another child was wounded in shooting. 

“They (combined force of Army,NaSaKa and Mogh) set fire on my beards and at the same time punched me over my faces till I got bleeding from nose and mouth” 

(One of the victims) 

Making the nights in the open-flooded-farm land 

The military camped in the village school for 5 days and always took their regular patrol along road. Every adult are making their nights in flooded farm land in the fear of arrest and tortured, leaving children, mothers and sisters in the home defenseless and helpless. This is what the situation demanded. During the raids some jumped into the tidy creek and died due to strong flow of current. Some managed to get ashore after two three hours voyage in the dark cloudy night. During the raids they (combined forces) took away all the valuables found on their way. Cattles and Goats of Rohingya Muslims were slaughtered and celebrated as good dishes while those of the Rakhines were safeguarded. The human rights violation against the Rohingyas was immeasurable and grievous. 

“I jumped into the tidy creek in dark cloudy night and after ride of several hours I managed to ashore by the Grace of ALLAH at last.” (One of the victims) 

The situation of people especially children and elderly who were caged in the villages was very critical and are dying the everyday due to the starvation and lack of medical care. No one can out for food and no one work for money as the curfew is imposed only for Rohingyas. While Rohingya children are starving to death Rakhines are celebrating with full bundle of foods looted from Rohingyas shops and homes, and donation from international communities. At the time of writing this article Rakhines Moghs are selling 50 kgs of rice bag with 50,000 Kyat (Myanmar Currency) taking advantage of the situation the curfew being imposed on Rohingyas. All the Mosques are locked from the concerned authority barring the Muslims from praying during the Holy Month of Ramadan. 

To be continued…………

RB News Desk.