Faroque Shah
November 18, 2012
People in Burma, in old days Bama used to say,kill Rakhine first and then the snake.But today when both enemies joint , began to say ,kill Rohingya first and then snake.whatever it change in this modern days Rohingya firmly stick to the old saying of kill first Rakhine and then snake and at the same time Rakhine's old saying to Bama as Auwk Thaa(condemned Bama) is still alive.
November 18, 2012
People in Burma, in old days Bama used to say,kill Rakhine first and then the snake.But today when both enemies joint , began to say ,kill Rohingya first and then snake.whatever it change in this modern days Rohingya firmly stick to the old saying of kill first Rakhine and then snake and at the same time Rakhine's old saying to Bama as Auwk Thaa(condemned Bama) is still alive.
Fake Rohingya Rebels and BBC Burmese Propaganda
It was 7th Nov ,2012 a BBC Burmese News paper wrote , unknown arms group from Bangladesh crossed the border and attacked a Burmese arms group in a Buddhist village, called Bandullah village in Antala and Badtala northern Maung daw on 6th Nov.The arm group killed a sergeant and kidnapped three
NASAKA police alive. As it was not clear who were behind the attack ,alleging RSO the Burmese officials reported the Bangladesh government on the attack. Some said the arms group covered their faces when attacking and some said the arms group wore beard and caps apparently ,made up like Muslims group.Some Muslims congratulated RSO for their incredible bravery and their action that opened the Jihad War against the infidel.But alas ,the later days Rakhine congratulate their ALP for their action against their enemies Burmese regime.Burmese old distrust to Rakhine proved true while the Burmese intelligent caught some 19 Rakhine in connection to the attack in Maung daw .It seemed a freindly fighting between new friends Bama and Rakhine.Though the plot and attack was under investigation,the final judgement shall bring understanding between them and release the culprits.It is still casting doubt Muslim Rohingya be implicated in the conspiracy.
Drive or kill.
1942 massacre was a open conspiracy where more than one hundred thousand innocent Rohingya were butchered ,backed by the Burmese armies ,with the arms of British V Force,while retreating from Burma.
In fact the racist intention was to drive all Rohingyas from Kyauk taw ,Kyauk Nimaw,MyaunMra and Myo Haung etc to the border or India or Maung daw and Buthitang side, but while almost all the Rohingyas got no way out ,got killed indiscriminately by the arms and swords of racist Rakhine.It was reported Kaladan river was contaminated
with dead and blood of Muslims. The racist never spared children and old men and women.Those who got escaped from slaughtering ,apparently those who had close relationship with Rakhine and rich who surrendered all the belongings to the Moghs.Muslim Rohingya only understand how to run and leave the country and die in seas and tents with hunger but never learn to resist for the rights and dignity. Today's situation is the result of 70 years of unchanged people.They heard Jihad in Islam but never dare practice to safeguard their lives and their mothers and sisters as self defense.Their Jihad is ,have patient ,angels descend from the sky for their rescue,as they felt innocent.
Rakhine politicians were similar to Jews and their plan to get close relationship with a Burmese army general like Tin Oo was a great success to implement their plan to eradicate Kalas from the soil of Arakan.Dr.Aye Mg the RNDP leader noted very interestingly on the marriage date with the Rakhine lady and former army general . Since independence some 19 operations were conducted in the name of foreigners drive or Censorship in Arakan where more than 1.5 millions were driven out like cattle with one stick out of Arakan. Rohingya leaders too were seemed helpless and pity ,running with pens and diaries to note all the incidents waiting for dollars and Dinars to rain.If wealth were means of liberation, Israel would disappeared from the world map.
Today, if Sheik Hassina favored the request of Thein sein OPEN BORDER, Arakan woud be land of no men except Rakhine.One way drive and no return is like the Palestine today. Let the Rohingya die in honor in homeland instead of slave manner die in bushes of Bangladesh. Rohingya die in boats and in seas but not resisting for the honor insulted.
Hatred and bigotry
It is simply awful to see their hatred and bigotry against Muslim Rohingya and Islam.They burned most of the Mosques and indiscriminate torching of villages while the authority never prevent the culprits.Where ever they entered a village they made arbitrary arrest,looting and shooting and assaulting the women folks.A land of hell with no justice and humanity.
Thein Sein's Drama
Thein sein once spoke ,the Muslims of Arakan are not wanted and they are infiltrators and 800,000 Muslims shall be deported to a third country ,who wanted them.But later when International pressure including UNHCR ,mounted he changed his words blaming Rakhine politicians and racist who instigated against Muslims.UN declared the Rohingyas are most persecuted people on earth by the Burmese regime.
But when Thein sein attended UN Conference he declared again his country has no any discrimination between races and religious and all are equal before law.
After President Thein sein return from UN conference he declared again in a questions and answer gathering on Muslims of Arakan uttering Bangali instead of Rohingya,saying we should live together with the Bangali as they are human being like us. He said Bangali are famous record high child birth ,but we could not prevent stop high child birth ,but instead we shall give them education and for their lively hood we shall give open factories.Few days later the new violence erupted in Kyauk Pyu sending thousands displaced on boards and in seas without food and shelter.How a regime kept silent and loosen safety and security of a human beings in his land.It is land of no rule and laws for the Muslims,in spite of being Kaman as race recognized by their rule of Citizenship they too were not spared.
Rohingya Citizenship
The ugly rule of law is Burmese Immigration Law where registration Censorship was first took place in 1955. Cards to be filled by the Muslims areas were different from Area to Area when the name of Race was not printed in the NRC cards.Many areas in Maung daw and Buthitaung were people with no race .
But in inner area like Myo Haung and Myaung Bra etc written as Rohingya and some time Myanmar ,which was confusing for the cards holders.It was reported most part of Muslims area's NRC were seized with gun points by the rebels Alan Nee(Communist Party) by night raids.It was joint conspiracy of racist Rakhine and rebels agreed by both to seize back all the documents to Citizenship.It is funny ,to issue Red Cards,Yellow and Pink and white in a country in one single race in the same area,where one brother got Red card and the other white Card. At the same time some area in Burma ,neighboring China ,Chinese people(Kookent) were issued pure Citizenship cards whose business are heroin and drug trafficking.Their business sign boards,dress and languages are as if they are inside China and ruling by Chinese government.
Recent new registration campaign
Today ,it is reported the immigration dept is taking new censorship on Muslims where Muslims are forced to sign as Bangali,but Muslims denied such forceful registration as Bangali except Rohingya.Those who denied to sign as Bangalis were severely beaten in some area.Thein sein regime and Rakhine joint hand to implement what ever they wish against Muslims Rohingay.
Wirathu Phone Gyi, Mandalay
Wirathu is one of the accused in 8 persons in ICC (International Criminal Court)submitted by ARU.
It might be a new conspiracy or forcefully declaration peace initiative by the notorious Phongyi was watched on 12th Nov, in a U tupe Vidio where he declared ,Burmese and Rakhine want peace with Muslims .They want peace and welcome Islam as a peaceful religion.And also welcome peace with Shan,Kachin,Chin and with all other races with Burmese.What a incredible sudden development in Burma before Obama's visit .
It is worth to listen ,Wirathu compared Obama as a dream of Martin Luther King who's dream was a black president of United States .He continued to say,we all welcome Obama's visit and we need peace with all races including peace with Muslims and Rakhine and so on.At the same time ALD is negotiating with RNDP where their only difference is " A "for Arakan and "R"for Rakhine.Why?Their absolute plan is Rakhine for Rakhine Buddist.Another worst massacre is likely to erupt.
Rohingya expected much from new democratic reformist Thein Sein ,but unfortunately he labelled the Rohingya as illeggal immigrrants that stunned the entire International Community.Rohingya expected from the daughter of Aung San much more than Thein Sein but alas,she shed tears of entire Muslims Rohingya by comparing with the Bangladesh border crossers.In fact,Suu Kyi was poisoned by former general Tin Oo who is bitter hater of Rohingya ,who occupied the top post of NLD.The ball gone out court.Any way she is in 67 and plus 13 years she will no more be useful for Democracy in Burma and the Burmese Generals shall ride the old horse of dictator ship.Daw Suu Kyi has no more to replace her heir as her two English sons are foreigners.
Democracy workshop business shall be closed after her and the old boots and shoots era is likely to flourish in golden Myanmar.
It is interesting to say,while British Ambassador was on a tour to Maung daw north last month,he asked a youth to whom you people support in the coming election of 2015,the boy replied ,Yes we support those who recognize Rohingya as Citizens of Myanmar and respect our religious Islam.To day our choice is clear though joint conspiracy is more clear.
Rohingya's last hope cast on US President visit to Napyitaw if he too inevitably follows the path of his two Democracy partners Thein sein and Suu Kyi.Obama should use his maximum diplomatic power to pressure the two parties to loosen their grips against Rohingya Citizenship ,if Obama is a true friend of Arabs and Muslims as well .
Let us wait and see if Obama follows the path of Martin Luther King and Peace and stability mediator in new Democratic Myanmar.
Rep. Trent Franks
The Washington Times
November 18, 2012
A grandmother sat alone in a church near Burma’s Kachin-China border in early May of this year and silently waited for the notoriously brutal Burma Army to raid her village. Other Kachin villagers fled once they heard that the Burma Army was approaching, but “Ngwa Mi” (real name withheld) was left behind. Her only protection was the sanctuary of the church.
When the Burma Army finally came to the village, they showed no mercy towards the 48-year-old grandmother. Over a period of three days, Ngwa Mi was violently beaten with rifle butts, stabbed with knives, stripped naked, and gang raped. Another Kachin man, who was captured while caring for his paralyzed wife, was brought back to the village. As he lay in the church with his hands and legs tied, he watched with horror and helplessness at the sickening acts that were committed against the vulnerable grandmother.
The victims in the village church were left semi-conscious and Ngwa Mi later suffered severe mental health problems. After reports of the torture were released, a spokesman from the Kachin Women's Association stated, “[T]he Burmese military can rape and kill ethnic women with impunity.”
After Aung Suu Kyi’s recent visit to the U.S. and President Obama’s Southeast Asia tour and historic meeting with Burmese President Thein Sein, discussions about democratic reforms in Burma are underway. Burma’s government has taken modest steps toward democratization by releasing hundreds of political prisoners, relaxing media censorship, and permitting dissidents to participate in the political process. However, the U.S. must continue to aggressively identify and underscore other atrocities that threaten future peace and stability. The plight of the Kachin is only one such example of outstanding reforms that still need to take place within Burma.
As the U.S. continues to work closely with the Burmese government on reforms, we must ensure that legitimate ethnic and democracy leaders are included in negotiations. Comprehensive and effective dialogue on the overall situation in Burma cannot be conducted without these leaders. Moreover, the U.S. must be careful to take no action that could be interpreted as endorsement of any misconduct or human rights lapses by the Burmese government or President Thein Sein, particularly while the Burmese government is still dominated by the military with a very brutal past.
Serious political dialogue within the framework of a robust peace process must take place to resolve the ongoing conflicts among Burma’s ethnic and religious groups. The plight of the Kachin is often overlooked by the international community, and humanitarian conditions are seriously deteriorating in Kachin State and Kachin refugee camps. Since the Burma Army broke the ceasefire agreement in Kachin State in June 2011, at least 70,000 civilians have been displaced from their villages. The atrocities committed against the Kachin by the Burma Army may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity and should be zealously investigated and prosecuted as the evidence warrants. During President Obama’s meeting with President Thein Sein, President Obama should call for a withdrawal of Burmese troops and the establishment of meaningful political dialogue and a peace process that will result in a political solution for the conflict in Kachin State.
Violence by the Burma Army against the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State also continues with impunity and the Burmese government has failed to end what increasingly appears to be a campaign to forcibly displace thousands of Rohingya. Moreover, recent reports indicate that Burmese security forces have been complicit with Rakhine Buddhists in carrying out brutal attacks against the Rohingya people. Within the past few weeks alone, thousands of homes in Rakhine State have been destroyed, hundreds of people slaughtered, and over 100,000 displaced. Both the Rohingya and Kachin desperately need full access to humanitarian aid for internally displaced peoples and refugees. Indeed, now is the time for the U.S. to ensure the plight of vulnerable Rohingya are not forgotten and stress that this crisis against Burma’s Muslim population will threaten future democracy measures within Burma.
Burma still has a very long road ahead and the U.S. must continue to advocate for the full inclusion of vulnerable ethnic and religious groups within Burmese society and the political process. Mr. Obama’s visit to Burma signifies our developing bilateral relationship and desire to encourage U.S. business investment in the country. With the additional credibility and validation that a presidential visit gives to the Burmese government, specific reform agenda items should be on the table, including the cessation of violence against the Kachin, Rohingya and other minority groups.
Rep. Trent Franks, Arizona Republican, is co-chairman of the International Religious Freedom Caucus.
Success of Free Rohingya Campaign in urging to sign letter of concern to President of the United States.
We would like to thank 21 US congressmen, Senators, their staff and all our volunteers who work very hard to produce a letter of concern to President of USA before historic visit to Burma.
Our volunteers work very hard to inform updated ground information to Congressmen and Senators to time to time since the beginning of ethnic cleansing of Rohingya.
Rohingya people felt great gratitude to excellent staff of congressmen and senators who gives human right issue of Burma a priority and dealt with urgency it needed.
Finally, we would like to thank all people who involve this great letter to president a reality.
Sincerely,
Nay San Oo
Free Rohingya Campaign
Obama Should Press Thein Sein to End Sectarian Violence
Town of Pauktaw, Pauktaw Township, on 8 November 2012: Post-attack overview of the two zones of building destruction. .
Damage Analysis: Human Rights Watch; Satellite Sensor: Pléiades-1; Image © ASTRIUM 2012; Source: SpotImage
(Bangkok) – Attacks and arson in late October by ethnic Arakanese against Rohingya Muslims in Burma’s Arakan State were at times carried out with the support of state security forces and local government officials, Human Rights Watch said today. New satellite imagery obtained by Human Rights Watch shows extensive destruction of homes and other property in the predominantly Rohingya Muslim areas of Pauktaw, Mrauk-U, and Myebon townships, all sites of violence and displacement in late October 2012.Rohingya and Arakanese residents of Pauktaw and Mrauk-U townships described to Human Rights Watch the sectarian attacks and arson that occurred in those areas on October 23 and 24, which in some cases involved state security forces. Similar violence between Arakanese Buddhists and Rohingya and non-Rohingya Muslims, also involving state security forces, occurred in seven other townships in late October.
US President Barack Obama is scheduled to make a one-day visit to Rangoon on November 19 to meet with Burmese President Thein Sein and opposition leaders.“President Obama should make clear to the Burmese president that the attacks on the Rohingya need to stop if the Burma government wants to avoid renewed sanctions and the suspension of renewed military-to-military dialogues with the United States,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “This is crunch time because Burma’s failure to contain sectarian violence in Arakan State and hold accountable those responsible calls into question the Burmese government’s stated goal of becoming a rights-respecting, multi-ethnic state.”
In satellite images of four townships in Arakan State that experienced violence in late October and in the state capital, Sittwe, which experienced violence in June, Human Rights Watch identified a total of 4,855 destroyed structures. These images show zones of documented destruction covering 348 acres of largely residential areas predominantly home to Rohingya Muslims who have since fled and to Kaman Muslims in Kyauk Pyu.
The images, which were captured on November 3 and 8, are not exhaustive and reflect damages in only five of the thirteen townships that have experienced violence in Arakan State since June.Rohingya from Pauktaw now at camps near Sittwe told Human Rights Watch that for weeks they faced hostile Arakanese mobs, sometimes led by Buddhist monks, who threatened violence against them and anyone else found selling or providing the Rohingya with food or other assistance. They said they repeatedly notified local authorities of these threats, but insufficient action was taken. In late October, just prior to the violence, Rohingya were called to a series of community meetings held by local Arakanese members of a nationalist political party and local government officials apparently aimed at convincing the local Muslim population to abandon their homes.
On October 23, when boats filled with several hundred armed Arakanese descended on the riverside Rohingya villages in Pauktaw, the Rohingya fled, fearing for their lives, and their villages were razed.
Displaced Rohingya and Kaman Muslims told Human Rights Watch that some members of the state security forces provided them temporary protection at various points in late October – for example by firing shots in the air to fend off hostile Arakanese mobs, or by providing water and food to their boatloads afloat offshore who were being denied permission to come ashore in Sittwe. But these instances of protection were offset by violence committed against the Rohingya and Kaman by other groups of security forces. For example, on October 26, soldiers from Nasaka, a government border guard force under the command of the army, severely beat dozens of displaced Rohingya who had clambered off boats on to the shores near Sittwe.
The new satellite imagery shows near 100 percent destruction of Yan Thei village in Mrauk-U Township. Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that Arakanese mobs armed with swords, spears, homemade guns, bows and arrows, and other weapons descended on the village on October 23, and fighting ensued. The Rohingya were ultimately surrounded and overwhelmed, and survivors fled by land to an area outside the village. Gruesome casualties were sustained on both sides, including beheadings and killings of women and children.
After October’s violence, there are now more than 110,000 internally displaced persons in Arakan State, nearly all Rohingya Muslims. “People are still coming every day,” a displaced Rohingya near Baw Du Ba displaced person camp told Human Rights Watch.
Yan Thei Village, Mrauk-U Township: Pre-attack View of Village
Yan Thei Village, Mrauk-U Township, on 11 February 2012. Pre-attack view of village in satellite image.Damage Analysis: Human Rights Watch; Image © DigitalGlobe 2012; Source: EUSI
Yan Thei Village, Mrauk-U Township: Post-attack View of Village
Yan Thei Village, Mrauk-U Township, on 3 November 2012: Post-attack view of village in satellite image with annotated building damages.
Damage Analysis: Human Rights Watch; Image ©: DigitalGlobe 2012; Source: EUSI
The displaced Rohingya populations from the sites of destruction depicted in the new satellite images are in dire need of shelter, food, water, sanitation, and medical care, Human Rights Watch said.The displaced from Pauktaw have been forced to seek refuge in beachside coastal areas outside Sittwe, in treeless, makeshift camps under the hot daytime sun without adequate food, potable water, and other necessities. One makeshift camp with an estimated 1,200 displaced persons lacks latrines and the group is subsisting primarily on donations from nearby Rohingya villages, which themselves struggle to survive. Some of the displaced had tarps for shelter bearing the logo of a United Nations agency that they said they purchased from local merchants.
Burmese security forces have restricted the access of international humanitarian agencies to the area and to even more remote coastal areas where others from Pauktaw are seeking refuge. Since their arrival some displaced persons reported they have been beaten by local security forces.
The displaced Rohingya from Yan Thei are likewise in dire need of aid, Human Rights Watch said. They are living in makeshift shelters outside their now razed village. According to the displaced, there has been no sustained international access at their camp, and government officials are not permitting them to leave the area. Burmese government officials have provided only a limited amount of aid.
Groups of displaced Arakanese Buddhists from Yan Thei have sought refuge in two monasteries in Mrauk-U town, where they appear to have received sufficient amounts of aid from the local Arakanese community. Unlike with the Rohingya, the government is not restricting the movements of ethnic Arakanese.
While violence had not affected Mrauk-U Township in June, there was previous violence in Pauktaw. According to local accounts, approximately 14 homes in Pauktaw were burned down in June. Villagers told Human Rights Watch the previous arson and subsequent threats and incidents of violence were clear indications of the risk of future violence.
“The satellite images and eyewitness accounts reveal that local mobs at times with official support sought to finish the job of removing Rohingya from these areas,” Adams said. “The central government's failure to take serious action to ensure accountability for the June violence fostered impunity, and makes it responsible for later attacks not only when security forces were directly involved but also when they weren’t.”
The Rohingya have faced decades of state sponsored discrimination and abuses. Burma’s 1982 Citizenship Law effectively stripped the Rohingya of citizenship, rendering them stateless.
Human Rights Watch previously released satellite imagery showing extensive destruction of homes and other property in a predominantly ethnic Kaman Muslim area of the coastal town of Kyauk Pyu, identifying 811 destroyed structures on the eastern coastal edge of Kyauk Pyu following arson attacks conducted on October 23 and 24. The area of destruction in Kyauk Pyu measures 35 acres and includes 633 buildings and 178 houseboats and floating barges adjacent on the water, all of which were razed.
Human Rights Watch investigations found that local security forces killed ethnic Kaman Muslims in Kyauk Pyu while soldiers from the Burmese army stood by and watched. Members of the Muslim community in Kyauk Pyu also attacked and in some instances killed ethnic Arakanese before fleeing by sea toward Sittwe.“The Burmese government needs to get serious about addressing the root causes of the sectarian violence in Arakan State, including Rohingya statelessness,” Adams said. “The absence of accountability for this horrific violence gives a green light to extremists to continue their attacks and abuses.”
Background
All four districts of Arakan State – Sittwe, Maungdaw, Kyauk Pyu, and Thandwe – have experienced violence since June 2012. Violence between Arakanese Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims reignited on October 21 and continued to some extent all week in 9 of the state’s 17 townships: Pauktaw, Mrauk-U, Myebon, Kyauk Pyu, Ramree, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Rathedaung, and Thandwe. Four other townships experienced serious violence in June and thereafter: Sittwe, Maungdaw, Buthidaung, and Toungop. Many of the places targeted in October had not been attacked in the earlier round of sectarian violence that consumed Sittwe and other parts of northern Arakan State in June. The sectarian violence that erupted in Arakan State in June devastated both Arakanese Buddhist and Rohingya Muslim communities, both of whom lacked protection from security forces.
Human Rights Watch
Jeerawat Na Thalang
The Nation
November 18, 2012
Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan has called on the regional grouping's members to extend humanitarian assistance to Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims after clashes in Rakhine, in the country's west, left many dead or displaced. "If all of us fail, that will create an impression that we don't care. If people feel helpless and think we have to take care of [only] ourselves, the [security] of the Malacca Straits could be at stake," he said, adding that failing to address the problem could lead to "extremism and radicalisation".
The Myanmar government has said the clashes in Rakhine between Muslims and Buddhists, which have reportedly killed more than 80 people and displaced more than 26,000, are a domestic issue. However, Surin said the international community should have a role in "communicating with people under pressure to come up with a strategy and response to relieve suffering, pain and violence".
Surin said Asean could not influence the question of citizenship in Myanmar, as this would need to be tackled by a higher-level institution such as the United Nations. "But what Asean can do is [apply] humanitarian engagement," he said.
Rohingya Muslims are denied citizenship in Myanmar.
The UNHCR has warned that during the calm sea season, more displaced people may seek to flee by boat. The Malacca Straits are the main shipping lane between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The expected adoption of the Asean Human Rights Declaration is a highlight of this year's Asean Summit, which started this weekend. Speaking before the summit, Surin said that despite the criticisms of the declaration, it represents the start of an effort by Asean to address human-rights concerns.
"It has to begin somewhere," he said.
Surin acknowledged the difficulties faced by Asean countries on the issue and said he could not pre-judge the results of decisions to be made by Asean leaders.
Critics have said Asean's non-interference principle could make the planned declaration ineffective.
Surin said the rights declaration marks "the least comfortable level, the least level of comfort" among Asean member countries. But he noted that, "I look at the criticism of it. It's not up to universal standards… It's a valid observation, but politics is the art of the possible. The possibility now is what they've come up with, if not perfectly."
On the South China Sea territorial dispute, Surin said, "The failure to issue a joint communique [at the Asean foreign ministers' meeting in Phnom Penh in July] had a big psychological impact on all of us. It's a wake-up call. We tried to recoup and rebalance ourselves, to come together with six points on how to go about [resolving problems] in the South China Sea."
The earlier Asean meeting in Cambodia collapsed over how to deal with the territorial dispute. Surin said that since then, "We have had a flurry of visits…backroom diplomacy has been going on rather actively since July." He added, "There's expectation that China will give some flexibility."
Surin also called for Asean to push forward the Asean Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to deepen economic integration in line with the Asean Economic Community, which is due to be launched in 2015.
By Nyi Nyi Aung
RB News
November 18, 2012
Myebon, Arakan -- Twelve Rohingyas from Myebon Township went for fishing in the evening of November 15, 2012. They were attacked by a group of Rakhine mobs at that evening and two Rohingyas were slaughtered. The dead bodies were thrown into the sea by Rakhine mobs. The names of killed Rohingyas are:
Myebon, Arakan -- Twelve Rohingyas from Myebon Township went for fishing in the evening of November 15, 2012. They were attacked by a group of Rakhine mobs at that evening and two Rohingyas were slaughtered. The dead bodies were thrown into the sea by Rakhine mobs. The names of killed Rohingyas are:
1. Kalu (son of) U Kadir Husin (Age: 52)
2. Sayed Amin (son of) U Kabir Huson (Age: 28)
The remaining ten Rohingyas managed to escape from the Rakhine mobs and came back to their village on next day (November 16, 2012) and reported for the killing two Rohingyas to police station nearby their village. But after reporting, the policemen came to village and arrested three Rohingyas who escaped from the killing field. The names of detained Rohingyas are:
1. Boshor (son of) U Siddique
2. Amir Husin (son of) U Amin
3. Zamir Ahmed (son of) U Gauni Husin
There are five Rohingya muslim quarters with 602 houses and 3998 population in Myaybon main town. All Rohingya quarters were burnt down by Rakhine mobs on October 22, 2012. 30 Rohingyas were mercilessly slaughtered and more than 300 Rohingyas were wounded.
The rest Rohingyas including wouded persons run away to the forest nearby their area for the safety. They stayed there for many days without food, medicines and clothes in the forest.
Two Rohingya Families were driven out by Army soldiers in Anaw Hrei, Pauk Taw.
On November 17, 2012 evening, Burmese army soldiers came for security or to control the tension between the Rakhine and Rohingya communities at Anaw Hrei (Anauk Ye Ywa), Pauk taw. Then they stationed in the houses of four Rohingyas. Two of those houses were vacant as the owner escaped the attack on October 22, 2012. But two families living in the remaining houses were driven out for their station. The names of the families are:
1. Mohammad Jalil - 60-years with 8 family members
2. Abdul Haque - 48-years with 7 family members
All the properties belonging to the above families were captured by those soldiers. And the two families are homeless now and became the new type of refugees.
Dr. Abid Bahar
RB Aritcle
November 18, 2012
Suu Kyi had declined to speak out on behalf of stateless Rohingya Muslims. Most people wondered why. She has now answered the question herself. Not known to most people while in India, at the age of 24 she formed her ideology as a devoted Buddhist and anti Muslim Burman. True, I have been following her for a long time, like the ultra nationalist Rakhines, when she was asked about the Rohingya, she rarely used the word "Rohingya." In her role as the opposition leader, this has been a disappointment for the Rohingya.
RB Aritcle
November 18, 2012
Suu Kyi had declined to speak out on behalf of stateless Rohingya Muslims. Most people wondered why. She has now answered the question herself. Not known to most people while in India, at the age of 24 she formed her ideology as a devoted Buddhist and anti Muslim Burman. True, I have been following her for a long time, like the ultra nationalist Rakhines, when she was asked about the Rohingya, she rarely used the word "Rohingya." In her role as the opposition leader, this has been a disappointment for the Rohingya.
In Suu Kyi's claim that Rohingyas are the recent immigrants from Bangladesh, no doubt she simply buys the ultra nationalist/ military constructed history. For the Rohingya problem, instead of a solution, now she seems to have become part of the problem.
As she opened her mouth wide open in India, she "described violence in west Myanmar between Buddhists and Muslims as a "huge international tragedy'" She says: "Don't forget that violence has been committed by both sides, this is why I prefer not to take sides and also I want to work towards reconciliation," she told the NDTV news channel. But did she do anything yet for reconciliation?
When asked "Is there a lot of illegal crossing of the border (with Bangladesh) still going on?: She said: "We have got to put a stop to it otherwise there will never be an end to the problem," she said.
"This is a huge international tragedy and this is why I keep saying that the government must have a policy about their citizenship laws," she said.
"There are quarrels about whether people are true citizens under law or whether they have come over as migrants later from Bangladesh," she said. "Most people seem to think there is only one country involved in this border issue."
"There are two countries. There is Bangladesh on one side and Burma (Myanmar) on the other and the security of the border surely is the responsibility of both countries."She says.
We question: If she is right, how come over 300,000 Burmese Rohingyas are still stranded in Bangladesh and more up to a million forced out Rohingyas now live in the Middle East and in other countries.
Does she know about the history of the Rohingya? She is dead wrong about the claim that there has been continued Bangladeshi infiltration into Burma. If she thinks it is a huge international problem, as a researcher on the Rohingya, I am asking her to do some readings and find out who the Rohingyas truly are. History tells us, Rohingyas have been in Arakan from the 8th century and Burman rule in Arakan began only from 1784 with a genocidal occupation of Arakan.
"The Rohingya, who make up the vast majority of those displaced in the fighting, are described by the UN as among the world's most persecuted minorities." It is now clear that Suu Kyi who has been called by the Rohingya as their mother, but first in her silence, now in her explanation, we see she has been a Burman nationalist politician all along. Despite the setback for the Rohingya, it is good to know who is the true Suu Kyi is. It is now clear that she became a xenophobe at the age of 24 and she ignored defending the Rohingyas going through genocide.
(Dr. Abid Bahar specializes on Western Burma, visited refugee camps in Bangladesh in 1978, and 2003; he now teaches in Canada)
M.S. Anwar
RB News
November 18, 2012
Buthidaung, Arakan: Around 2 am this morning, a group of Rakhine extremists from Dabru-Chaung Natala village in Buthidaung Tsp secretly entered Ywet Nyo Daung Rohingya village in the same township. They poured poison into as many as 50 Ponds in the village.
“They came into the mentioned Rohingya village secretly around 2AM. When they were caught and asked by Rohingya villagers why they entered the village, they replied they were in the village in search of frogs. Later in the morning, upon finding some suspicious packets of poison around as many as 50 ponds, the villagers informed the authorities. Then, Military and Police came to investigate. And they found that the ponds were poisoned.
No actions were taken against the conspirators despite their obvious and witnessed conspiracy. On the contrary, the authority threatened the villagers not to inform it to the higher authorities at any rate. Some of these conspirators are:
1) Phoe Thar Gyi
2) Min Zaw
3) Maung Myint Swe
4) Htun Kyaw” reported by Rohingya Youths in the region.
Besides, there were two Rohingyas slaughtered in Myaybon Township on 15th November 2012. They, altogether 10 Rohingyas, were out to catch fish by a boat at night. Meanwhile, many armed Rakhine terrorists surrounded them by a few boats. Two Rohingyas were killed in the attack and others escaped. Next morning, their dead bodies were found floating in the river. The profiles of the killed Rohingyas are:
1) Khalu S/o Kadir Hussain Age 52 Years
Besides, there were two Rohingyas slaughtered in Myaybon Township on 15th November 2012. They, altogether 10 Rohingyas, were out to catch fish by a boat at night. Meanwhile, many armed Rakhine terrorists surrounded them by a few boats. Two Rohingyas were killed in the attack and others escaped. Next morning, their dead bodies were found floating in the river. The profiles of the killed Rohingyas are:
1) Khalu S/o Kadir Hussain Age 52 Years
2) Soyed Amin S/o Kabir Hussain Age 28 Years
No action has been taken against the Rakhine terrorists although Rohingyas reported to the local authority according to a Rohingya in the township.
Rohingyas in Arakan are living in fear of being massacred again like the previous two times on June 10 and October 21 respectively. They fear that it might happen again especially after the departure of President Obama.
No action has been taken against the Rakhine terrorists although Rohingyas reported to the local authority according to a Rohingya in the township.
Rohingyas in Arakan are living in fear of being massacred again like the previous two times on June 10 and October 21 respectively. They fear that it might happen again especially after the departure of President Obama.
The Irrawaddy
November 17, 2012
WASHINGTON: The White House on Thursday appeared to defend steps being taken by the Burmese government to address rising sectarian violence in the country, even as human rights bodies stepped up their protest against Monday’s visit of US President Barack Obama.
“[The Burmese] government has taken some responsible steps in trying to defuse the violence,” the National Security Council Senior Director of Multilateral Affairs Samantha Power told reporters during a conference call on Thursday.
At the same time, she said there are long-term structural issues that need to be addressed in terms of the recognition of the Rohingya people as citizens and the welfare generally of all Buddhists, Muslims and others living in Arakan (Rakhine) State.
Defending Obama’s decision to travel to Burma, Power said the trip makes a lot of sense given that the president has long indicated a willingness to engage with countries that show concretely a will to reform and make political progress.
“The reason we engage is not to reward but to lock down progress and to push on areas where progress is urgently needed,” she said, giving a couple of examples of why this applies in the current context of Burma.
“First, we’ve seen, as many of you know, some progress that the government has made in establishing ceasefires with various ethnic groups, not long-lasting solutions but ceasefires that mean that fewer people are hurting day-to-day and genuine progress,” she said.
Referring to the steps being taken by the Burmese government with regards the Rohingya issue, Power said this is “an example of a little bit of progress in the ethnic sort of area overall, but a very, very severe and important issue that we get an opportunity now to go and engage on at the ultimate level, at the highest possible level.”
Similarly, she emphasizes that regarding the Kachin State conflict, where a ceasefire has not been signed, humanitarian access must first be ensured before renewed efforts to agree a cessation of violence and then long-term political grievances must be addressed.
But Power emphasized that there is still a long way to go. “I mean, remarkable progress [has been made], but many, many political prisoners are still behind bars, and varying lists out there, but at least several hundred political prisoners, we believe,” she said.
“As the political space opens up, one of President Obama’s key messages, of course, is that there is a need not simply for government officials to talk to one another and the executive branch to talk to the Parliament, but for the youth, for legal professionals, for businesspeople, for soldiers in the rank and file of the military, for teachers, for the citizens of Burma to take ownership of this process now as it enters its next phase and to build the checks and balances that are really the requirement in this country for these reforms to be sustainable and for this to become a true democracy over time.”
Meanwhile, in a letter to the president, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urged Obama to raise the issues of religious freedom and continuing abuses that arise from ongoing ethnic and communal violence during his trip to Burma.
“The alarming state of affairs faced by Burma’s ethnic nationalities reveals how much farther Burma’s new government must go in advancing reform and protecting universal human rights,” said the USCIRF Chair Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett in the letter.
“Under military rule, Burma was one of the world’s worst human rights and religious freedom violators. Under civilian rule, it has yet to put that image behind it and fully affirm its ethnic and religious diversity by upholding human rights, including religious freedom, for everyone.”
Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK
Press Release: Rohingyas under fear of Attacks even a head President Obama visit to Burma
Date: November 17, 2012
Ethnic Rohingya from aik Thae Village, Kyauktaw Township, was almost attacked on Friday night. Approximately 3,000 ethnic Rakhine and security forces surrounded the village. They only left after being warned by Burmese Army soldiers that they would be fired upon if they did not disperse. Today, Saturday morning around 200 security forces and Burmese Army soldiers entered Anaryme Village in Pauktaw and ordered the villagers to leave their houses and the village. They have been evicted from their homes so that the security forces and soldiers can live in them..
An effective policy of ethnic cleansing against Rohingya is continuing on the eve of US President Barak Obama visiting Burma. Displaced Rohingya are not able to return to their homes and villages. The most recent information based on reports by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and others puts the estimate of those displaced at 110,00 people, the vast majority are Rohingya. Violence has swept the country in recent months and reports of killing, torture, rape and the burning of villages have been cited in Kyaukpyu, Kyauktaw, Maungdaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Myebon, Pauktaw, Ramree, Rathedaung and Sittwe.
BROUK President Tun Khin said “President Obama should not have visited Burma so soon, with such serious problems still remaining. Obama is meeting the head of Burma, President Thein Sein who has played a key role in allowing and inciting the attacks against the Rohingya .President Thein Sein gave support and encouragement to those attacking the Rohingya by asking for international support in expelling all Rohingya from Burma. State forces, local and national, are taking part in attacks against the Rohingya. As President he has command responsibility for what is taking place. These attacks would not still be taking place if the government of Burma truly wanted to stop them. It is also President Thein Sein who is placing restrictions on aid”. Meantime We, BROUK urge President Obama during his visit for the followings;
(1) To put pressure on President Thein Sein to stop violence and crimes against the Rohingya and to protect the lives of helpless Muslims in Arakan.
(2) To support UN peace-keeping forces being sent to Arakan for the purpose of preventing further death, killing, rape and destruction of the Muslims.
(3) To support a UN Commission of Inquiry and to send independent international observers to the ground.
(4) To put pressure on President Thein Sein government (i) to allow unhindered humanitarian aid to the Rohingya victims in all parts of Arakan; (ii) to stop its segregation scheme and replace it with a proactive policy of ‘peaceful co-existence’; and (iii) to repeal or amend the Burma Citizenship Law of 1982 in order to conform it with international law standards.
For more information, please contact Tun Khin +44 7888 714 866.
We Strongly Condemn the Fraudulent Usage of the President’s Office: “ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS LEADERS” for Some Ordinary Muslims
Bismillah Hirrah Maanir Rahim
****************************************************************
November 16, 2012
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Dear Respected Myanmar Muslim Community,
There is a piece of news on the President’s Website titled “President Explains on the Situation in Rakhine State” dated today, November 16, 2012. In the news, President’s Office intentionally describes some ordinary Muslims as “ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS LEADERS” in order to mislead and deceive the people in Myanmar as well as cross the globe, the rulers and governments, NGOs, INGOs and all the brave democratic fighters around the world. The truth is that none of them was such an Islamic Religious Leader or Head.
We foresee the government’s plans for more deceptions or trickeries in the future behind such fraudulent usage of the President’s Office as “Islamic Religious Leaders.” Therefore, we, Myanmar Muslim Community, DENY the fact that the Muslims who met the former dictator Thein Sein and his government today are Islamic Religious Leaders democratically elected and accepted by the Myanmar Muslim Community at all. At the same time, we altogether strongly condemn such an intentional lie as “Islamic Religious Leaders” spread by the President’s Office.
Respectfully,
Burmese Muslim Youths For Human Rights and Justice
(Reg. No. 3/2012)
......................................................................
Translated into English by M.S. Anwar
RB News Desk
RB News Desk
Since the news of US President Barak Obama to visit Myanmar has confirmed, Rights group have been urging President Obama to pressure on Myanmar quasi-Military government for the series of Human Rights abuses. Many experts have speculated that Rohingya crisis could be one of the top agenda among the topics at the meeting between two leaders.
According to the President Thein Sein’s Office spokesperson stated on his Facebook account that the President has invited some Muslim leaders and Buddhist monks to discuss Rakhine issues. The truth is that these Muslims who were invited do not represent Myanmar Muslims at all. The President does not invite anyone who belongs to five major Myanmar Muslim organisations and neither invited any Muslims politician nor activist who lead and represent Myanmar Muslims. The President has picked collectively who would only nod their head. Besides, half of them are retired army officers.
The agenda of the meeting was to discuss Arakan crisis but it is too late to talk. While the crisis broke out second time in Arakan on 21st October, Myanmar government only admitted after the release of satellite pictures from US based HRW, which was few days later. It clearly echoed the lack of sincerity of Myanmar government over Arakan issues. Moreover, there is not a single action have taken against anti-Muslims organisations and Rakhine extremist who have been instigating against Muslims publically and who have committed terrorist attacks on Muslims in Arakan. President has ordered to form inquiry commissions one after another but none of them could investigate successfully and could not achieve any concrete evidence or prove while ten Myanmar Muslims pilgrims were beaten to death brutally by hundreds of Rakhines at the security check-point in Taung Gouk Township, in Arakan. It is one of the reason why Myanmar Muslims have lost their confidence on the government.
Myanmar government has proficiency in using sprinkles to garnish in order to hide their ugly sinister. The plans to fool international community have been executed by lobbyist while President Barak Obama visit is a pressure on the country half century long religious persecutions and racial discriminations. Myanmar Muslims have fed up with empty promises of Thein Sein government and its members; unfortunately, the genocide of Rohingya and Kaman Muslims has hidden under the so called Democratic reforms. International community should not rush to reward any pseudo Democratic reforms policy of Myanmar military generals who dominating the power ultimately. The military is still powerful and dominating most of the affairs of the country; the genuine Democracy could be achieved only after 2015 general election if pro-Democracy parties win it.
The simplest prove is that, President Thein Sein has stated earlier this year to send Rohingya Muslims to third country, how come a Democratic reformist President does not aware of Human Rights. His statement highlighted serious issues of xenophobic bigotry that exist inside Myanmar Military.
Current Myanmar government as well as their predecessor Military regime have consistently favoured cronies and puppets to execute their policy and plans; now they have invited collectively who do not represent Myanmar Muslims at all to misled President Barak Obama that Muslims in Myanmar have pleasant and perfect condition. Myanmar government intend to impress to President Barak Obama that President Thein Sein is unlikely to his predecessors. If Thein Sein government were sincere, the genocide in Arakan would not repeat second time.
The government has consistently neglected all the credible information which proving the outbreak of bloodshed in Arakan again, in spite of Myanmar Muslims leaders have informed to the Arakan state government and Central government regarding the lawlessness and extremism of Rakhines in Arakan state and the lack of security presence to protect armless Muslims in Arakan. Is this their negligence or they have underestimated the crisis; those who have neglected and failed to fulfil their responsibility to protect minorities in Myanmar and let the innocent people killed in the hands of terrorist, could not be Democratic reformers.
Myanmar could be a bonanza of opportunity or could be a strategic key allay for US in future; a world respected leader, US President Barak Obama should not compromise with Myanmar President Thein Sein the lives of Myanmar Muslims, especially Rohginyas and Kaman Muslims in Arakan who have hugely counted on him for their liberty.
By Kyaw Win
By Emma Batha
Thomson Reuters Foundation
November 17, 2012
LONDON: U.S. President Barack Obama must press Myanmar to give citizenship to hundreds of thousands of stateless Rohingya in the west of the country where ethnic bloodshed has caused massive displacement, Refugees International says.
Obama, who will visit Myanmar on Nov. 19, should also urge Myanmar’s leaders to provide protection to everyone affected by the recent explosion of violence in Rakhine State and end restrictions on access for aid agencies, the campaign group added.
Melanie Teff, a senior advocate with Refugees International who recently visited Rakhine, warned that the crisis could derail Myanmar’s tentative transition to democracy after half a century of military rule.
Scores of people were killed and at least 75,000 uprooted from their homes when clashes erupted in June between the Muslim Rohingya and Buddhist Rakhine. Another 35,000 were displaced by violence in October.
White House officials have said Obama - the first serving U.S. president to visit Myanmar – will press leaders to restore calm and to bring the instigators of the violence to justice.
There are an estimated 800,000 Rohingya in Rakhine State. Many have lived there for generations but Myanmar's Buddhist-majority government regards them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denies them citizenship.
They are officially stateless and the United Nations calls them "virtually friendless".
“Many Rohingya have lived in Myanmar for generations,” Teff said. “The government must provide citizenship to all Rohingya born in Myanmar or with genuine links to the country, as well as their descendants - in line with international law.”
Teff said it was absurd to suggest there had been large-scale illegal immigration from Bangladesh during the military junta’s hardline rule.
“There is also the question of why would people want to come into a situation where they are treated quite so badly,” she added.
The Rohingya have suffered decades of persecution in Rakhine State, which is the second poorest state in Myanmar with acute rates of malnutrition and a stagnant economy.
Teff said she hoped Obama would also raise the issue with Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who heads the Rule of Law Committee responsible for reviewing the 1982 Citizenship Law that rendered the Rohingya stateless.
Aung San Suu Kyi, who won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for championing democracy, has been criticised by rights groups for not speaking out on the Rohingya.
“One hopes that even if she is not taking a public stand on this that she will ensure that the law is revised in line with international standards on rights to nationality – that’s my key ask of her,” Teff added.
SEGREGATION
Most of the Rohingya forced to flee their homes in recent violence now live in segregated camps. Barriers have been erected on some roads and those still in their homes can no longer move around freely.
Teff, who visited Rakhine State in September, said aid workers had told her the situation was “worse than apartheid, because at least under apartheid the blacks could work for the whites”.
The Rohingya have traditionally worked for the Rakhine - as farmhands, fishermen or in the market in Sittwe town. But the restriction on their movement means they can no longer access work and are now dependent on aid.
Conditions in the camps range from “squalid to abysmal”, Teff said. A U.N. nutritional assessment in August found many children so malnourished they were at risk of dying.
Residents cannot cross the make-shift road barriers and told Teff they would be terrified to do so. Most Rakhine she spoke to said they could not imagine living with the Rohingya again.
Teff urged Obama to emphasise to Myanmar’s leaders the need to end segregation.
"There is clearly a desperate need for reconciliation measures. The longer it goes on the worse it will get,” she said.
“The one positive conversation we had was concerning possibilities for future economic development. Both communities said the one thing that could build links between them was an economic development plan. There is a great feeling by the Rakhine as well (as the Rohingya) that they have been left out,” Teff added.
Anisur Rahman
Gulf News
November 17, 2012
Expects Dhaka to permit international NGOs to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Rohingyas
DHAKA: The United States reiterated its call on Friday asking Myanmar to take effective steps to ensure security in its troubled western Rakhine state and urged Dhaka to soften its stance on allowing Rohingyas fleeing their home to evade the sectarian clashes at home.
“Ensure that actions are taken to maintain calm, restore security and stability according to international standards, and to hold those responsible for the violence fully accountable under just and transparent procedures according to the rule of law,” visiting US Undersecretary of State María Otero told a press briefing at southeastern Cox’s Bazar bordering Myanmar.
She said Washington continued to monitor the tensions and inter-communal violence between majority Buddhists and minority Rohingya Muslims there and “consistently” urged “Burma [Myanmar]” to enable unhindered humanitarian access across Rakhine State and to ensure the provision of security as the United Nations and other non-governmental humanitarian organisations implement assistance to all persons in need.
“We also urge . . . Bangladesh to respect the principle of non-refoulement, as the persons fleeing the violence in Burma may be refugees or have protection needs,” Otero said reiterating the US call on Bangladesh authorities.
She expected Dhaka to permit international NGOs to continue providing humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya, other vulnerable individuals fleeing the violence in Rakhine.
Otero’s comments came as she along with several US state department officials including US ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena visited one of the makeshift Rohingya camps at Kutupalang and talked to the registered and unregistered residents of the facility and a foreign-aided hospital for Rohingyas.
The US delegation also held talks with local administrative officials and public representatives. During the visit the Rohingyas staged a demonstration carrying banners and placards highlighting their problems.
The US comments came a day after Myanmar’s pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi described the sectarian violence in Rakhine as a “huge international tragedy” but declined to speak out for Rohingyas “as violence has been committed by both sides” while she wanted to “promote reconciliation” after the recent bloodshed.
“Most people seem to think there is only one country involved in this border issue,” she continued. There are two countries. There is Bangladesh on one side and Burma [Myanmar] on the other, and the security of the border surely is the responsibility of both countries,” said the Nobel Laureate in an interview with an Indian television as she was on a visit to India.
Suu Kyi, however, earlier visibly caused disappointment among international supporters for her muted response to violence.
Otero, too, called the Rohingya issue a “complex one” with a strong international dimension saying it required a concerted effort by affected countries in the region.
“We stand ready to assist Burma, Bangladesh and other countries in the region affected by Rohingya displacement to reach a comprehensive, sustainable, and just solution to their plight,” she said.
The United States earlier called on all countries in the region to open their borders to Rohingya boatpeople — many of whom are fleeing the violence by taking to the high seas while Bangladesh tightened its border with Myanmar declining to accept a fresh Rohingya influx saying it was already overburdened with thousands of them for decades.
The Rohingya, who make up the vast majority of those displaced in the fighting, are described by the UN as among the world’s most persecuted minorities, and are not officially recognised as citizens in Myanmar since 1982.
The UN has called on all countries in the region to open their borders to Rohingya boatpeople in the wake of recent fatal tragedies.
Bangladesh has declined to allow a fresh influx of Rohingyas saying it was already over-burdened with some 400,000 of them for years as they fled their country during the past junta rule in Myanmar. w
According to the UNHCR around one million Rohingya are now thought to live outside Myanmar, but they have not been welcomed by a third country while Bangladesh has turned back Rohingya boats arriving on its shores since the outbreak of the recent unrest.
Bangladesh has been insisting the international community focus their efforts to end sectarian violence in neighbouring Myanmar as international pressures apparently mounted on Dhaka to open borders for refugees.
“I’ll request the international community to call upon the Myanmar government to end its internal mayhem, if they sincerely want to resolve the crisis,” the Bangladesh foreign minister said in a parliamentary statement last month.
Some 260,000 Muslim refugees belonging to the Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority group fled their country to take refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh amid reported repression by the then Myanmar junta in 1991 while the exodus took place on a massive scale in two subsequent phases.
The Myanmar authorities agreed to take back its nationals under a UNHCR-brokered agreement in mid-1992 though some of the refugees repatriated on earlier occasions had sneaked back into Bangladesh.Bangladesh still hosts 25,000 documented Myanmar refugees and their 4,000 children in Cox’s Bazar district, but an undocumented number of Myanmar nationals who have fled into Bangladesh since 1991 is estimated to be as high as half a million.
Otero’s comments came as she along with several US state department officials including US ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena visited one of the makeshift Rohingya camps at Kutupalang and talked to the registered and unregistered residents of the facility and a foreign-aided hospital for Rohingyas.
The US delegation also held talks with local administrative officials and public representatives. During the visit the Rohingyas staged a demonstration carrying banners and placards highlighting their problems.
The US comments came a day after Myanmar’s pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi described the sectarian violence in Rakhine as a “huge international tragedy” but declined to speak out for Rohingyas “as violence has been committed by both sides” while she wanted to “promote reconciliation” after the recent bloodshed.
“Most people seem to think there is only one country involved in this border issue,” she continued. There are two countries. There is Bangladesh on one side and Burma [Myanmar] on the other, and the security of the border surely is the responsibility of both countries,” said the Nobel Laureate in an interview with an Indian television as she was on a visit to India.
Suu Kyi, however, earlier visibly caused disappointment among international supporters for her muted response to violence.
Otero, too, called the Rohingya issue a “complex one” with a strong international dimension saying it required a concerted effort by affected countries in the region.
“We stand ready to assist Burma, Bangladesh and other countries in the region affected by Rohingya displacement to reach a comprehensive, sustainable, and just solution to their plight,” she said.
The United States earlier called on all countries in the region to open their borders to Rohingya boatpeople — many of whom are fleeing the violence by taking to the high seas while Bangladesh tightened its border with Myanmar declining to accept a fresh Rohingya influx saying it was already overburdened with thousands of them for decades.
The Rohingya, who make up the vast majority of those displaced in the fighting, are described by the UN as among the world’s most persecuted minorities, and are not officially recognised as citizens in Myanmar since 1982.
The UN has called on all countries in the region to open their borders to Rohingya boatpeople in the wake of recent fatal tragedies.
Bangladesh has declined to allow a fresh influx of Rohingyas saying it was already over-burdened with some 400,000 of them for years as they fled their country during the past junta rule in Myanmar. w
According to the UNHCR around one million Rohingya are now thought to live outside Myanmar, but they have not been welcomed by a third country while Bangladesh has turned back Rohingya boats arriving on its shores since the outbreak of the recent unrest.
Bangladesh has been insisting the international community focus their efforts to end sectarian violence in neighbouring Myanmar as international pressures apparently mounted on Dhaka to open borders for refugees.
“I’ll request the international community to call upon the Myanmar government to end its internal mayhem, if they sincerely want to resolve the crisis,” the Bangladesh foreign minister said in a parliamentary statement last month.
Some 260,000 Muslim refugees belonging to the Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority group fled their country to take refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh amid reported repression by the then Myanmar junta in 1991 while the exodus took place on a massive scale in two subsequent phases.
The Myanmar authorities agreed to take back its nationals under a UNHCR-brokered agreement in mid-1992 though some of the refugees repatriated on earlier occasions had sneaked back into Bangladesh.Bangladesh still hosts 25,000 documented Myanmar refugees and their 4,000 children in Cox’s Bazar district, but an undocumented number of Myanmar nationals who have fled into Bangladesh since 1991 is estimated to be as high as half a million.
Jocelyn Gecker
Associated Press
November 17, 2012
YANGON, Myanmar — Myanmar’s president has pledged to consider new rights for the stateless Rohingya minority ahead of a landmark visit by President Barack Obama, but stopped short of a full commitment that citizenship and other new freedoms would be granted.
In a letter sent to the United Nations on Friday, President Thein Sein made conciliatory remarks that condemned the ‘‘senseless violence’’ in western Rakhine state between Rakhine Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya.
Almost 200 people have died and more than 100,000 have been displaced since June in fighting between the two communities, an eruption of longstanding hatred that highlights the fragility of Myanmar’s transition toward democracy.
Thein Sein made no promises in his letter and offered no timeline for resolving the tensions, but it marked an overture to the international community and to Obama, who arrives Monday for the first visit to Myanmar by a U.S. president.
The White House has urged Myanmar to take urgent action to end the strife and has said Obama will press the matter with Thein Sein, along with demands to free political prisoners as the Southeast Asian country transitions to democracy after a half-century of military rule.
In his letter, Thein Sein said his government was prepared to address contentious issues ‘‘ranging from resettlement of displaced populations to granting of citizenship,’’ according to a statement from the spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that contained excerpts from the letter.
Thein Sein said he also would look at issues including work permits and permits granting freedom of movement for the Rohingya to ensure they are treated in line with ‘‘accepted international norms.’’
The U.N. statement called Thein Sein’s letter a step ‘‘in the right direction.’’
It was not clear from his letter whether Thein Sein was changing his stance on citizenship for the Rohingya. He has previously cited strict citizenship laws stating that only Rohingya whose families settled in the country before independence from Britain in 1948 were considered citizens.
The United Nations has called the Rohingya — who are widely reviled by the Buddhist majority in Myanmar — among the most persecuted people on Earth.
Myanmar denies the Rohingya citizenship, even though many of their families have lived in Myanmar for generations. The government considers them to be illegal migrants from Bangladesh, but Bangladesh also rejects them, rendering them stateless.
The U.N. estimates that 800,000 Rohingya live in Myanmar, where they face heavy-handed restrictions: They need permission to marry, have more than two children and travel outside of their villages.
Rohingya Info Collection Team (Myanmar)
RB News
November 16, 2012
Kyauk Taw: Rakhine mobs are trying to set violence again against Rohingyas in Paikthay village, Kyauk Taw Township of Northern Rakhine State.
According to an eyewitness, today at 8:30 pm a huge Rakhine mob of 3000 persons, with full weapons approached the Paikthay Rohingya village in Kyauktaw Township to set fire all houses and uproot all Rohingyas from the village.
There were military forces standby near this village, and they warned both sides of Rakhine and Rohingya that soldiers would open fire if any of person move forward.
But, the Rakhine Terrorists are shouting their slogan with megaphones that tonight they will fight for their freedom even the military shoot at them and they will destroy this (Paik Thay) Rohingya Kalar village.
This is very suspicious about government, as the Rakhine mobs dared to behave like that at the time Myanmar Televistion is broadcasting about Myanmar President U Thein Sein's meeting with Buddihist Monks and so-called Islamic Religious leaders in Naypyitaw to discuss Rakhine Conflict. Most of the local people believe that this is a show for US President Barack Obama, who is going to visit Myanmar on 19 November 2012. The situation of Paik Thay village is still critical that the Rakhine mobs didn't step back even the military intervention is there.
Burma: CSW urges President Obama to encourage further reform, raise religious freedom and ethnic conflicts as priorities for official visit 16/11/2012
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) urges US President Barack Obama to raise constitutional and legislative reform, religious freedom and the need to end conflicts and begin a peace process with ethnic nationalities, during his official trip to Asia on 17 November, which will include a visit to Burma.
CSW is also calling on President Obama to press for the release of all remaining political prisoners in Burma. According to media reports, earlier this week the Burmese government released more than 450 prisoners as a goodwill gesture ahead of President Obama’s visit, however there are concerns that no political prisoners are among them.
Reuters reports that President Obama is expected raise the issue of ongoing ethnic violence in Burma’s Rakhine State “directly with the leadership”. US Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ), along with 20 other members of the Senate and House, have written a bi-partisan letter to President Obama urging him to underscore current human rights atrocities in Burma that threaten future peace and stability.
CSW urges President Obama to press the Burmese government to intervene decisively to end the violence in Rakhine and Kachin states and allow unhindered access for international aid and humanitarian assistance to the affected areas. A peace process and political dialogue between the government and ethnic nationalities must be established in ethnic states where there are ongoing conflicts. Religious freedom is also a concern in the predominantly Christian Chin State, where the Chin are often discriminated against or ill-treated on the dual basis of ethnicity and religion. A recent report by the Chin Human Rights Organisation outlined a decades-long pattern of religious freedom violations, including more than 40 separate incidents of torture or ill-treatment.
The Burmese government should also be encouraged to continue with constitutional and legislative reform in the interests of democracy, including the repeal of the 1982 Citizenship Law, which effectively stripped the Rohingya of their citizenship and rendered them stateless.
Mervyn Thomas, CSW’s Chief Executive, said, “We welcome President Obama’s visit as a valuable opportunity to deliver some very clear and key messages to the Government of Burma: that the reforms already underway deserve recognition and encouragement, but that there is still a very, very long way to go. Until the conflict in Kachin State and the violence in Rakhine State end; until there is a genuine peace process with ethnic nationalities, involving a political dialogue to find a political solution to decades of civil war; until the citizenship of everyone born in Burma is respected and protected; until all prisoners of conscience are released; and until there is freedom of religion or belief for all people in Burma, we cannot speak of true and lasting change. The situation is fragile, and we urge President Obama to use his visit to promote peace and human rights for all the people of Burma. We welcome the letter by members of the US Congress, and hope that the President will take up the issues raised as a priority during his visit. There are two dangers at the moment: premature euphoria, and entrenched cynicism – both of which could undermine the chance of genuine change in Burma. President Obama has a unique opportunity to really make a difference for the people of Burma who have suffered so much for so long.”
For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visitwww.csw.org.uk.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.
Notes to Editors:
1. Violence in Rakhine State between Buddhist Rakhine and Muslim Rohingya ethnic minorities erupted in June, lasting several weeks, before flaring up again in late October. Although violence has been committed by both communities, the Rohingyas have been the primary victims of what increasingly appears to be a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing. The violence has claimed hundreds of lives and left over 100,000 people displaced. Mosques have been attacked, and religious clerics arrested.
ARU, BTF-USA, and ERC Appeals President Barak Obama to Demand Myanmar Government to Immediately End the Plights of Rohingya, and to Fully Cooperate with the International Community with Transparency
Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU), Burma Task Force USA, and The European Rohingya Council urgently appeal to President Barak Obama to address the ongoing ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya ethnic minority in Burma. We urge him to play an active role to help reach a long-term and durable solution to the current crisis, and to bring peace, stability, security, and communal harmony in Arakan state. President Obama must use his personal as well as the influence of the US Government and demand that President Thein Sein and the Myanmar Government officials must cooperate with the international community with utmost transparency. President Obama must unequivocally demand the Burmese Government to:
1. Repeal the 1982 Citizenship Law, dismantle the color-coded citizenship scheme, and reinstate the bona fide citizenship of the Rohingya ethnic minority.
2. Not to be the party to the violence in Arakan. Immediately stop violation of all the basic human rights of the Rohingya people by the Burmese police, Nasaka, and Lon Htein forces.
3. Adhere to the principle of honesty and integrity, and honor the memorandum signed by Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC) and the Burmese Government for operation of OIC humanitarian aid office for the all affected people in Arakan.
4. Not to adopt segregation/apartheid policy in Arakan, allow the internally displaced Rohingya families to return to their homes and properties, and facilitate integration of the Rakhine and Rohingya communities for the long term and peaceful co-existence.
5. Stop collecting household data in Rohingya villages after each time violence breaks out and Rohingya families leave the village seeking refuge elsewhere. Myanmar officials must not force and physically abuse Rohingya people to use the term “Bengali” instead of Rohingya in paperwork.
6. Allow an independent international commission of inquiry, international monitoring teams and relief organizations in all townships in Arakan.
We caution the international community not to let Thein Sein's government blackmail it emotionally with the threat of reversal or derailment of democratic reform in Burma. President Thein Sein and his deputies are well aware of the consequences of the derailment. The Burmese Government and its forces with the Rakhine elements must not be allowed to use the “democratic reform” as a tool to legitimize its gruesome atrocities and serious violation of human rights against Rohingya ethnic minority in Arakan.
RB News
November 16, 2012
Obama's Southeast Asia Tour: Urge President Obama to Address Religious and Ethnic Minorities Concerns in Burma
From: The Honorable Trent Franks
Sent By: @mail.house.gov
Date: 11/14/2012
Date: 11/14/2012
Co-Signers: Wolf, Waxman, Gowdy, Huelskamp, Barbara Lee.
Deadline: 12noon Tomorrow, Nov 15
Dear Colleague,
President Obama is scheduled for a Southeast Asia three-country tour from November 17-20, 2012 that includes Burma (Myanmar) and meetings with President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
In light of Aung Suu Kyi's recent visit to the U.S., discussions about democratic reforms in Burma are underway. Burma's government has taken modest steps toward democratization by releasing hundreds of political prisoners, relaxing media censorship, and permitting Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy to participate in the political process.
The U.S. must continue to aggressively identify and underscore other atrocities that threaten future peace and stability, including the cessation of violence against the Kachin, Rohingya, and Chin people. We ask President Obama to highlight these concerns during his upcoming trip to Burma.
Burma stands at a critical turning point but additional reforms must still take place. As Aung Sang Suu Kyi recently said, “The world need[s] to understand that Myanmar is just at the beginning of the road to democracy, and that its present Constitution does not make the road smooth.”
Please contact Stephanie Hammond at xxxxx@mail.house.gov or 202.xxx.xxx to be added to this Dear Colleague letter to President Obama. Our deadline is 12noon tomorrow, November 15, 2012.
Sincerely,
Congressman Trent Franks
Co-Chair, International Religious Freedom Caucus
________________________________________________________________
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
November 14, 2012
Dear President Obama,
As Senators and Members of Congress, we would like to address your upcoming Southeast Asia three-country tour from November 17-20, 2012 that includes Burma (Myanmar) and meetings with President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
In light of Aung Suu Kyi's recent visit to the U.S., discussions about democratic reforms in Burma are underway. Burma's government has taken modest steps toward democratization by releasing hundreds of political prisoners, relaxing media censorship, and permitting Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy to participate in the political process. However, the U.S. must continue to aggressively identify and underscore other atrocities that threaten future peace and stability. Burma stands at a critical turning point but additional reforms must still take place. As Aung Sang Suu Kyi recently said, “The world need[s] to understand that Myanmar is just at the beginning of the road to democracy, and that its present Constitution does not make the road smooth.”
As the U.S. continues to work closely with the Burmese government on reforms, we must ensure that legitimate ethnic and democracy leaders are included in negotiations. Comprehensive and effective dialogue cannot be conducted without these leaders. Moreover, the U.S. must be careful to take no action that could be interpreted as endorsement of any misconduct or human rights lapses by the Burmese government or President Thein Sein, particularly while the Burmese government is still dominated by the military with a very brutal past.
Serious political dialogue within the framework of a robust peace process must take place to resolve the ongoing conflicts among Burma's ethnic and religious nationalities. The plight of the Kachin is often overlooked by the international community and humanitarian conditions are seriously deteriorating in Kachin State and Kachin refugee camps. Since the Burma Army broke the ceasefire agreement in Kachin State in June 2011, at least 70,000 civilians have been displaced from their villages. The atrocities committed against the Kachin by the Burma Army may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity and should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted as the evidence warrants. We urgently recommend you call for a withdrawal of Burmese troops and the establishment of meaningful political dialogue and a peace process that will result in a political solution for the conflict in Kachin State.
Violence by the Burma Army against the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State also continues with impunity and the Burmese government has failed to end what increasingly appears to be a campaign to forcibly displace thousands of Rohingya. Moreover, recent reports indicate how Burmese security forces are complicit with Rakhine Buddhists in carrying out brutal attacks against the Rohingya people. Within the past few weeks alone, thousands of homes in Rakhine State have been destroyed, hundreds of people slaughtered, and over 100,000 displaced. Indeed, now is the time to ensure the plight of the vulnerable Rohingya are not forgotten and stress that this crisis against Burma's Muslim population will threaten future democracy measures.
In the immediate future, humanitarian aid for both the Rohingya and Kachin is desperately needed. The U.S. must call for unhindered access for aid to all victims of violence, regardless of religion or race, in Rakhine and Kachin States. United Nation agencies and international nongovernmental organizations should be granted unrestricted access to the affected areas. The U.S. should not ignore state-sponsored persecution of these ethnic and religious minorities, especially during a high-profile Presidential visit, and indeed raise these ongoing issues with the highest levels of the Burmese government as roadblocks to true peace and progress in a democratic and free Burma.
Violence against Chin Christians also deserves U.S. attention and escalation to the highest levels of the Burmese government. Chin is the poorest state in all of Burma and, for several decades, Chin communities have suffered institutionalized discrimination on the basis of both ethnicity and religion which has led to thousands of Chin refugees fleeing to neighboring India. Previously, successive military regimes viewed Christianity as a threat to homogenous national identity within Burma. However, Burmese nationalist resentment and discrimination continues against the Chin. Religious freedom and human rights atrocities have long been utilized against the Chin and include forced labor and conversion, torture, rape, restrictions on construction of Christian infrastructure, violations of peaceful religious assembly, and threats of intimidation and harassment of pastors and missionaries. We must see an end to attacks on churches and civilians. Additionally, the Burma Army uses rape against ethnic and religious minorities, including the Chin, and the U.S. must call for an end to this violence against the vulnerable.
Burma still has a very long road ahead and the U.S. must continue to advocate for the full inclusion of ethnic and religious groups within Burmese society and within the political process. President Obama, your visit to Burma signifies our developing bilateral relationship and desire to encourage U.S. business investment in the country. With the additional credibility and validation that a Presidential visit gives to the Burmese government, specific reform agenda items should be on the table, including the cessation of violence against the Kachin, Rohingya, and Chin people. We urge you to ensure these minority groups, among others, are engaged in meaningful political dialogues and have fair opportunities for participation in the political process.
We look forward to hearing an update about your meetings in Burma and the progress of these discussions with the Burmese government.
Sincerely,
MOC (Members of Congress)
Cc'd: The Honorable Hillary Clinton, United States Secretary of State
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