ROHINGYA MPS ASKING QUESTIONS IN THE BURMESE PARLIAMENT TO

16 Pages·2011·1.6 MB·English

ROHINGYA MPS ASKING QUESTIONS IN THE BURMESE PARLIAMENT TO

REDRESS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST THEIR PEOPLE IN ARAKAN

AMYOTHA HLUTTAW REPRESENTATIVE PYITHU HLUTTAW REPRESENTATIVE PYITHU HLUTTAW REPRESENTATIVE UNION MINISTER FOR IMMIGARATION

U ZAHID RAWMAN(A) U TAY WIN OF U ZAW KIR AHMAD (A) U AUNG ZAW U ABDU RAWZAK (A) U SHWE MAUNG AND POPULATION U KHIN YI ANSWER-
RAKHINE STATE CONSTITUENCY (7) WIN OF MAUNGTAW CONSTITUENCY OF BUTHIDAUNG CONSTITUENCY ING QUESTION OF ROHINGYA MEMBER
ASKING QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT ASKING QUESTIION IN PARLIAMENT ASKING QUESTIION IN PARLIAMENT OF AMYOTHA HLUTTAW

A R A K A N 9 2011
▬

PROTESTS BY ROHINGYA COMMUNITY WORLDWIDE AGAINST THE IRRESPONSIBLE

STATEMENTS , LIES AND " SYSTEMATIC RACISM " OF USDP GOVERNMENT IN BURMA
CONTENTS

EDITORIAL : ROHINGYA: AN INDIGE-
2 NOUS RACE OF BURMA

3 COVER STORY : ROHINGYA MPS ASKING
QUESTIONS IN THE BURMESE PARLIAM…

ROHINGYA: AN INDIGENOUS RACE OF BURMA
COVER STORY : PROTESTS BY ROHINGYA
6
COMMUNITY WORLDWIDE AGAINST ……. It is an outrageous statement by the Immigration Minister of Burma in the

parliament regarding the Rohingyas of Arakan. In a primitive tune he

COVER STORY :ROHINGYAS’ EVER branded them as Bengali infiltrators ignoring the history of Arakan. He
8
BIGGEST DEMONSTRATION IN TOKYO ….. should study the original people of Arakan who were Indians similar to

Rohingyas. The Rohingyas identified themselves with Burmese in good
PRESS RELEASE : JOINT PRESS RELEASE
faith with a hope that they would be treated on the same line as Burmese
9 EIGHT ROHINGYA ORGANISATIONS
and would be given equal rights. The Rakhine Buddhists have been taken

as one of the indigenous races of Burma merely because they are
10 PRESS RELEASE : PRESS RELEASE OF
Buddhists. If this religious distinction is eliminated the Muslims of Arakan
ARAKAN ROHINGYA UNION ( ARU )
will automatically come under the same racial category as the Rakhine

Buddhists. Islam had played an important part towards the advancement of
DAW SUU KYI WELCOMES MYITSONE
10
HYDROPOWER DAM SUSPENSION civilization in Arakan where Muslims and Buddhists lived side by side for

centuries with amity and concord as one family and ruled the country

FROM THE PAGES OF HISTORY : THE t o g ether. Coins and medallions were issued bearing "Kalima", the
11
HISTORIC RIGHT OF ROHINGYA profession of faith in Islam in Persian script. Persian was the court

language of Arakan and the kings of Arakan adopted Muslim names,
CITIZENSHIP OF ROHINGYA FAMILY
practiced Muslim manners and etiquettes.
11 REVOKED AND MEMBERS WERE ….
Before the election of November 7, 2010, U Thein Sein, the

present President of Burma, visited Buthidaung in his capacity as Prime
12 NEWS ANALYSIS : BURMESE GOVERN-
Minister of Burma. He appreciated the Rohingya people that they dressed
MENT REAFFIRMS POLICY OF RACIAL ….
like Burman and they could speak Burmese whereas some ethnic groups'

dresses are different and they could not speak Burmese, that’s why the
NEWS ASSESMENT: ARAKAN STATE
13
IMMIGRATION AND POPULATION …… Rohingyas are the indigenous people of Burma. Brig. General Phone Swe,

the then Deputy Home Minister visited Buthidaung and Maungdaw several

SEVEN DIE WHEN WWII BOMB EXPLODES times before the election to seek the Rohingyas' votes and promised, time
14
IN WESTERN BURMA and again, that pink cards of the indigenous people of Burma would be

A ROHINGYA BETEL SHOPKEEPER SHOT issued to Rohingyas, for which, out of jealousy, the Rakhines called him
14 DEAD BY NASAKA
'Kala Minister'. He is still a deputy minister in another ministry.
14 NASAKA KILLED ANOTHER ROHINGYA
Regarding the Rohingyas the speech delivered by Brigadier Aung Gyi,
VILLAGER IN MAUNGDAW
former Vice Chief of Staff, was published in 8 July 1961 by "Myanmar Alin"
14 STEP UP REFORM EFFORTS : UN
in page 5 - 6. He said that the people of Mayu District are Muslims. Both
SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
the people of the western and eastern sides of the border are Muslims. The
90 ROHINGYAS ARRESTED IN BANGLA-
15
people of the west of the border are called Pakistanis. The people of the
DESH ARE PUSHEDBACK TO BURMA
MOULANA SHAMSUL ALAM IS NO east, who are in Burma, are called Rohingyas. It is not the only border
15
MORE WITH US where same people live in two countries: the same case is in

Chinese border too. For example, in Kachin State there is Liesu in Burmese
BACK COVER : 4 TH ANNIVERSARY OF side, also there is Liesu in Chinese side. As there is Eikaw in Burmese
16 SAFFRON REVOLUTION COMMEMORATED side and also in China side. As there is Lawa in Burmese side there is also

AMID RESTRICTIONS
Lawa in China. In this way as there is Shan in Burma, there is Thai in China

READ ARAKAN ONLINE KNOW MORE side. They speak same language both inside Burma and Thailand (same
ABOUT ROHINGYA PEOPLE religion, culture and appearance). In this way the people of same religion
www.rohingya.org are in Pakistan side and (Rohingyas) in Burma.

It is of very great important for the Immigration Minister to study the
Email : info @ rohingya.org
rulings related to immigration of Burma, " HASAN ALI Vs Cont. P. 3
ARAKAN MAGAZINE I AUGUST ISSUE 2011 2
EDITORIAL www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.org

FROM P. 2 UNION OF BURMA, MEHER ALI Vs THE UNION OF BURMA" Criminal Miscellaneous Applicants No. 155 of 1959,the

Supreme Court BLR(SC) 187 The Burma Immigration(Emergency Provisions) Act in which the Rohingyas of Arakan were re-

leased against the cases of immigration. The 1st respondent has mentioned, Section 4(2) of the Union Citizenship Act should

not be lost sight of. A person descended from ancestors who for two generations have made Burma their permanent home, and
whose parents and himself were born in Burma, is a statutory citizen. Today in various parts of Burma there are people
who because of their origin and isolated way of life, are totally unlike the Burmese in appearance or speak of events which has

occurred outside the limits their habitation. They are nevertheless statutory citizens under the Union Citizenship Act. The de-

tention of Hasan Ali and Meher Ali, Under Section 7(2) of the Burma Immigration (Emergency Provisions) Act under the orders

of an immigration officer were held unwarranted in law and therefore the orders under which they were detained in the Ran-
goon Central Jail were quashed and they were ordered to release forthwith.
The Muslims of North Arakan have been together as a race in a group from time immemorial in a territory included within

the Union of Burma. They have their proud history, culture and tradition. There is no justification to take them as foreigners for

the simple reason that they profess Islam and keep Muslim names ignoring the kings of Arakan with Muslim names. The

Rohingyas have been experiencing wrong and injustices for very long. Conspiracies after conspiracies have long been hatched

out against them with a view to exterminating the entire Rohingya people. The government has been obliterating the history of
once glorious people. Historical establishments, antiques, monuments sites. etc. were destroyed. Rohingya people still have
the memory of how they were treated as an indigenous race, their language broadcast from the BBS and their culture promoted

during the democratic rule in Burma.

The ethnic Ta Line has become Mon, Taung Thu is now Pa-Oh, Karenni is known as Kaya, Jim Phaw as Kachin, etc. It is not

unfair to call the Muslims of Arakan as Rohingya as they like to be called so. While changes of cities from Akyab to Sittwe,
Rangoon to Yangon, Arakan to Rakhine, Burma to Myanmar, etc. taking place, the centuries old ethnic name of Rohingya is
branded as a name created in post-independent Burma by the ultra nationalist Burmese and Rakhines. Many plans have been

drawn and implemented by the successive military regimes of Burma, to conceal the reality but history has proved that reality

always resurfaces and injustice has never got its hold. Their ill designs against the Rohingyas are never accepted by the soil of

Arakan and the world's eye could catch what are what and who is who. ##

COVER STORY

ROHINGYA MPS ASKING QUESTIONS IN THE BURMESE PARLIAMENT TO REDRESS

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST THEIR PEOPLE IN ARAKAN BY M. A. ALAM

On 29 August 2011, the Second

Regular Session of First Amyotha

Hluttaw goes on for sixth day Session,
the Union Minister for Immigration and
Population U Khin Yi was chosen to
answer 3 questions raised by 2 Rohingya
MPs in the parliaments . In response to
the question raised by U Zahidur
Rawman (a) U Htay Win of Rakhine State

Constituency (7) of Amyotha Hluttaw that

“ indigenous Myanmar Muslim voters in
UNION MINISTER FOR IMMIGARATION
Maungdaw District of Rakhine State

AND POPULATION U KHIN YI
cannot travel freely; to travel other Regions AMYOTHA HLUTTAW REPRESENTATIVE
ANSWEING QUESTION OF ROHINGYA
or States for economic, education, health
U ZAHID RAWMAN(A) U TAY WIN OF
MEMBER OF AMYOTHA HLUTTAW
and social reasons, they have to take out RAKHINE STATE CONSTITUENCY (7)
Application Form (4) of Immigration
ASKING QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT of these facts, the foreign Bengalis
Department under the directive of
illegally entered our resource-rich
Na-Sa-Ka, forcing them to face many a s Maungdaw neighboured with another country and mixed with local
difficulties in socio-economic life; and how country for about 152 miles and B e n g a l i s by marriages. As there was
the state will help address this issue ”, Bengalis in Maungdaw have shared mass migration, 180,000 were given
common religion, culture, appearance refuge after being scrutinized by Na-
Union Minister for Immigration and
Population U Khin Yi answered that those and language with their counterparts in garmin Operation and Hintha Plan in
who are labeled “Myanmar Muslims” another country, they have exchanged 1978 in need of stability of border re-
communications between the two coun- gion and nationalism; the 230000 took
were assumed to be Bengalis in
tries a long time ago; Taking advantage r e f u g e again till July 2005 in Cont. P. 4
Maungdaw of Rakhine State;

ARAKAN MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2011 3
COVER STORY www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.org

From P. 3 measures under the bilateral According to respective countries
a greement started on 22 September, 1992; laws, they need not to be citizens of the
t o date, the refugee camp is still opening said countries. They need to present
b ut no person requested refuge; though, certification that they have not registered
t he migration is still happening; and these at related foreign embassy relating to
m igrations penetrate not only into the original race as its citizens, and they have
n eighbouring region but deep into the not applied for passport. Article 3 of
c ountry. Myanmar Citizenship Law (1982) which is
These facts cause complexities; so currently practicing prescribes that

the Application Travel Form (4) is used to “Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon,

scrutinize them as the security of the State Rakhine and Shan national races and
a nd the national duties. tribes permanently living in any region of
The use of Travel Form (4) is not the the country before 1185 ME (1823 AD) as
t ravel ban but a application of scrutiny their original country are Myanmar
s ystem; they are allowed to go every c i t i z e ns.” According to the law, if anyone
v illage and even every places where they is not component of national races or
l ike to visit in the township; if they were tribes, he or she needs to submit certifica-
a bout to go beyond the township in the tions to strongly confirm as a citizen.
state, the permission of respective town- Issuing national scrutiny card is not PYITHU HLUTTAW REPRESENTATIVE

ship, district and State immigration and based on race and religion. It is concerned U ZAW KIR AHMAD (A) U AUNG ZAW

national registration departments is with the competence of a citizen’s features WIN OF MAUNGTAW CONSTITUENCY
n eeded and the permission of regional prescribed in Myanmar Citizenship Law
a uthority with the recommendation of which was passed on 15 October 1982. ASKING QUESTIIONS IN PARLIAMENT
S tate head of the department is needed to Detailed explanation about Myanmar
t ravel outside the state; to date, all C i t i z e n ship Law (1982) has been given on
a pplications for travel which satisfy the 26 August in replying to the question of
c onditions are passed; depending upon Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Thein
e ducation, health and social needs, the Nyunt from Thingangyun Constituency.
extensions are allowed; from 1 January, Only when those concerned can present

2011 to 28 August, 2011, 360 persons are firm certification of their ancestors, will

allowed to travel to Yangon; many are al- they get citizenship scrutiny card.
l owed extensions; in regard of education, Our service personnel will issue
t here are 23 students in respective univer- citizenship scrutiny card to those qualified
s ities as the extension for education was to be a citizen. According to Myanmar
i ncreased to the whole academic year Citizenship Law (1982) and Foreigner
f rom 1 July, 2011 to 28 August, 2011. Registration Act (1940), those living in
From 2005 to 2011, 258 migrants were Myanmar need to have citizenship
a rrested, but no action was taken against scrutiny card or associate citizen certifi-
them and they were sent back to their cate or naturalized citizenship certificate

original places; the number hundreds or foreigner registration certificate or tem-

indicate that the systematic supervision is porary identity certificate. Those who can-
s till needed. So, the Application Form (4) not show such card or certificates will be
i s used in need of State’s security and temporarily assumed that they are PYITHU HLUTTAW REPRESENTATIVE
n ationalism as the foreign Bengalis d o u b t ed citizens and need to have U A BDU RAWZAK (A) U SHWE MAUNG OF
i llegally migrated into Maungtaw of t e m p o r a ry identity certificate. In order to
R akhine State. get any card, those who are in compe- BUTHIDAUNG CONSTITUENCY ASKING
Another Rohingya MP of Pyithu tence of the provisions of Myanmar QUESTIIONS IN PARLIAMENT
Hluttaw, U Zaw Kir Ahmed (a) U Citizenship Law (1982) need to apply for
citizenship with the recommendation of to define who is who
Aung Zaw Win of Maungtaw Con-
“committee for scrutinizing citizen, asso- So, it is needed to take time to cope
stituency asked about when the gov-
ciate citizen, naturalized citizen” and w i t h such issues because of national
ernment will exchange national a c c ording to (1983) Naturalized s e c u r i ty and national affairs. Still, submit-
scrutiny cards (pink card) with tem- Citizenship Rules and Regulations 46. For ting the required certification is a key to
porary national identity cards (white the applicants, supervisory committees changing of national scrutiny card.
card) for Myanmar local Muslims in have been formed at region/state and Measures will be taken for smooth proce-
township level. From 24 November 2009 to dure flow at appropriate moment.
Maungtaw District of Rakhine State.
date, 105,051 persons who are doubted In response to the question raised by U

In response, the Union c i t i z ens have been granted citizenship. Shwe Maung (a) U Adu Rawzak of

Minister said that it is assumed In order to issue any kind of identity Buthidaung Constituency that “to travel to

that the usage of local Myanmar cards to half-blooded persons living not Yangon for health, social and economic
Muslim means Bengalis residing in only in Maungtaw of Rakhine State but
matters, about 90 per cent of locals from
the region. The existing law says also across the country, measures are
Buthidaung and Maungtaw of Rakhine State
that no one can apply for dual b e i ng taken in accord with Law, proce-
citizenship at the same time and if dure , and rules and regulations by arrang- cost about K 30,000 for the distance from
he or she wants to apply for Myan- ing files taking time. Due to illegal migra- Buthidaung and Maungtaw to Sittway and
mar citizenship, he or she must tion and association of Bengalis from the K 400,000 from Sittway to Yangon in an
legally forgo the citizenship of neighboring country to the country, there
illegal way. He asked how Cont. P. 4
other countries. are complications of population difficult

ARAKAN MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2011 4
COVER STORY www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.org

From P. 4 the government will tackle such country, anyone is to submit overnight Charged without committing any offence;
s ituation to drive it out, and how the g u e s t l i s t and request to renew it. Action some hide away in the fear of those charges,
will be taken if he or she does not follow it.
government will take measures for law with the possibility that their children born in
It is a system for national security. Action
(immigration Form- 4) prescribed for this situation will not be illegitimate; how the
was taken against 278 migrants across the
f oreigners that takes against local c o u n t r y from 2005 to 29, August 2011 S t a t e will help those people tackle that issue
M yanmar Muslims who are living there for despite efforts. So it is still necessary to ”, the Union Minister said that Maungtaw
l ong time”, according to the needs of t a k e a p proach to such measures. District has a significant geographical
Using travel form-4 does not mean
security and national affairs, there are location sharing border with Bangladesh in
deterrence of travel. It is just for
cooperative groups including respective land and water; the deprivation could
inspection measures in a systematic way.
departments running checks at required happen as paddy production do not meet
In the system, anyone can go around the
points along the route from Buthidaung the demand of northern Maungtaw District
township freely. If needed to travel to
and Maungtaw to Sittway and Yangon so including Maungtaw, Buthidaung and
other township in a state, he or she is to
as to prevent illegal Bengali migration Rathedaung Townships if compared with
from the neighboring country. If there are have permission of township/district/state its coverage, the population becomes
any sufferers, they need to come forward staff officers. To travel to other state, local denser and the birth rate outnumbers
authorities are reported with the
with accurate attestation with exact time international standard at a breakneck
permission of state staff officer.
and place legally. Millions of pamphlets speed; one square-mile land in Maungtaw
The ministry has permitted those who
h ave been given out to fight bribery and Township host 870 persons, that in Taung-
have immigration qualifications to travel
c orruption. Phone and fax numbers are pyu Letwe Sub-Township, 701, and that in
and extended their stay when they report
shown in public making field trips, airing the entire Rakhine State, 233 persons; the
on their purpose of education, health and
interviews on Myanmar TV and Myawady population density of Bangladesh which is
social affairs. Therefore, for the state
TV, on pages of journals and magazines, adjacent to the region is 1217 persons in
security and national concern,
launching departmentowned website. The one square mile; disproportionate ratio of
s ufferers can make complaints and door is immigration form-4 is used to stop the population density and land area could lead
o pening to constructive advices. illegal migration Bengalis and the ministry to a population burst in the future; …………
is strictly carrying out the task as it is
So far, many locals from regions and and if the traveling Bengali breach Article
necessity.
s tates are cooperating in the form of 29 (1) of 1951 Union of Myanmar Resident
On 1 September 2011, the Second
a sking confusion and reporting matters Registration Rule, they will be charged
Regular Session of First Amyotha Hluttaw
n eeded to be changed. The ministry took under Article 6(1) and 6(2) of 1949 Union of
continued for ninth day at Amyotha
actions like dismissal, demotion and Myanmar Resident Registration Act.
Hluttaw Hall of Hluttaw Building in Nay Pyi
transfer against 12 governmental staff On 6 September 2011, the second regular
Daw Two Hluttaw representatives raised
who did not adhere to directive of the session of First Pyithu Hluttaw continued
two questions which were answered by
ministry as of 1 July. So, any cases that for 12th day at Pyithu Hluttaw Hall of Hlut-
c ome along with right evidence will be Union Minister for Defence Lt-Gen. Hla taw Building. U Zaw Kir Ahmad (a) U Aung
i nvestigated and take action if true. For Min. Zaw Win of Maungtaw Constituency said that
Regarding the question raised by U
e mergence of good governance and clean as most of the mosques in wards and villages
Zayad Rawmam (a) U Htay Win of Rakhine
g overnment, efforts are being made in
a ccord with the guidelines of heads. State Constituency (7) “there are two for local Islams in Maungtaw District of
Regarding the second question, illegal sorts of household registration R a k h i n e State are old and damaged, they
m igration of Bengalis from the neighbor- certificate for indigenous Myanmar vot- face difficulties because local authorities do
ing country has effect not only on adjoin- not allow repairing and construction of new
ers in Buthidaung and Maungtaw Town-
ic nogu nrtergyi oinnc lbuudti nagl sKoa cohnin i,n Knaeyri np, aSrth aonf atnhde ships in Rakhine State issued by Immi- ones. He asked how the State will help them
overcome the difficulties. The Union
Mon states. Why travel form-4 is used is gration and Population Department and
t hat migrants are not distinguishable and Minister for Religious Affairs Thura U Myint
Border Immigration Headquarters
i t is according to national security and Maung replied that when the renovation of
a ffairs. That is why security is being ( B I H ); while the BIH conducts surprise old and damaged mosques, churches and
t ightened up. In traveling across the check, those who visits another village Hindu temples in the Republic of the Union
of Myanmar are submitted to the ministry

with the recommendations of local authori-

ties to the attachment of maintenance form

and documentary photos of damaged
buildings, respective region and state reli-
gious affairs officer and party will made a
field trip to the sites and submit the report
to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. After
discussing it at the management committee
of the ministry, the remarks on the report

will be replied on religious affairs point of

view. There is no submission on repairing

the mosque in Maungtaw Township of

Rakhine State to the Ministry of Religious
Affairs. When applications are submitted in
line with the prescribed rules and regula-
tions, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is
MILITARY DOMINATED BURMESE PARLIAMENT SESSION IN 2011 ready to give any assistance to them. ##

A ARRAAKKAANN M MAAGGAAZIZNINE E I I SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR I S ISSUSEU E2 021011 1 5 5
COVER STORY www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.org

COVER STORY : THE ROHINGYA GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION

PROTESTS BY ROHINGYA COMMUNITY WORLDWIDE AGAINST THE IRRESPONSIBLE

STATEMENTS , LIES AND " SYSTEMATIC RACISM " OF USDP GOVERNMENT BY M. A. ALAM

Rohingya communities in 8 Mr. Mathew Jones – Christian Solidarity
countries around the world held an Worldwide, Waihnin Pwintthon (a

international day of action ▬ THE d a ughter of a Political Prisoner), Mrs.

R OHINGYA GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION ▬ Nant Bwa Bwa Phan – Karen Community
UK, Anna Roberts – Burma Campaign
o n 15 September 2011 to condemn
UK, Mr. Kyaw Zwa – Burma Muslim
the racist policies of Thein Sein’s
Association and Mr. Shwekey Hoipang –
USDP government. They held demon-
Chin Community UK, had given
stration in front of Burmese Embassy,
speeches in the event, according to
or gathering in the home, office where
BROUK information desk.
the situation is not favorable to
o rganize demonstration and self- In his keynote speech, the ARNO
president Nurul Islam stressed that the
s itting for hunger-strike, according to
R ohungya organizations worldwide. Rohingya have had a long glaring D E M O C RATIC ACTIVISTS PARTICIPATED THE
The worldwide protest was held history, the phenomenal rule of D E M O N S T RATION IN LONDON," THE ROHINGYA
against statements of Burmese Union kingmakers, their Muslim rule G L O B A L D A Y OF ACTION"
particularly from 1430-1531, and the
Minister for Immigration and Popula-
recognition of their legal status as a
tion U Khin Yi in Amyotha Hlutttaw
natural citizens and indigenous people
( Burmese Nationalities Parliament )
by the Burma’s parliamentary govern-
on 29 August 2011.
In London the Burmese Rohingya ment (s) and democracy groups.
Organization UK (BROUK) had B R O U K p r e sident Tun Khin demanded
immediate withdrawal and cessation of
organized the event. Around 200
anti-Rohingya propaganda and human
R ohingya, members of the different
rights violations by the Burmese civil-
B urma’s ethnic groups (Kachin,
ianized military regime and restitution
K aren, Chin), democratic activists and
of Rohingya’s citizenship and ethnic
human rights organizations ▬ Burma
rights in their homeland in Burma.
Campaign UK, 88 Generation
Asserting the recognition of
Students, Christian Solidarity World- ROHINGYAS IN JAPAN PARTICIPATED THE
Rohingya as one of the many ethnic
wide, Burma Democratic Concern and DEMONSTRATION IN TOKYO," THE ROHINGYA
nationalities of Burma by the interna-
Burmese Muslim Association UK -- GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION"
p rotested outside Burmese Embassy tional community, including the UN, 88
Generation leader Mr. Aung termed it a
i n London on 15 September 2011 at
gross injustice to reject them as
1 2:00 – 13:30, according to Tun Khin ,
Burmese nationals.
P resident, Burmese Rohingya Organi-
Mr. Shwekey Hoipang, a Chin activ-
z ation UK (BROUK).
ist and Christian pastor who worked in
Mr. Nurul Islam – Arakan Rohingya
Arakan State in the 1990s, had given his
National Organization, Mr. Chris Ring
eyewitness accounts of human rights
Du Lachung – Kachin National
violations, systematic persecution and
Organisation, Mr. Ko Aung – 88 Stu-
discrimination against the Rohingyas by
dentGeneration, Mr. Van Biak Thang –
C hinland Guardian News, a represen- the military dictatorship. Saya Shwekey
Hoipang said the Rohingyas Cont. P. 7
t ative of Burma Democratic Concern,
SENIOR POLITICAL LEADERS OF ROHINGYA HAD SAT

FOR A MEETING IN BANGLADESH TO SUPPORT
“THE ROHINGYA GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION”

ARNO PRESIDENT NURUL ISLAM, SPEAKING IN DEMONSTRATION ROHINGYA, BURMESE ETHNIC GROUPS (KACHIN,
KAREN, CHIN) AND DEMOCRATIC ACTIVISTS PARTICI-
IN LONDON, ON " THE ROHINGYA GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION"
PATED THE DEMONSTRATION IN LONDON.

ARAKAN MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2011 6
COVER STORY www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.org

From P.6 are the worst victims in Rohingya Organization UK (BROUK);
Burma and demanded religious free- the Rohingya League for Democracy

dom for all peoples of the country. Burma (RLDB); the Burmese Rohingya

Condemning the Thein Sein A s s o c i a t i on Japan (BRAJ); the Burmese

r egime Mr. Hamza Kyaw Zwa, a senior Rohingya Community in Australia

l eader of the Burmese Muslim ( B R C A ) ; t h e Burmese Rohingya Com-
A ssociation said, “How U Kyaw Min, a munity in Norway (BRCN); the Canadian
R ohingya MP elected in 1990, could Burmese Rohingya Organization
b e jailed for 47 years, together with (CBRO) and the Free Rohingya
h is wife three daughters for 17 years Campaign (FRC). The other three indi-
e ach, under immigration law. One of vidual Rohingya organizations are: the
the daughters is suffering from seri- Arakan National Congress (ANC); the

ously illness in the jail. This injustice Rohingya Concern International (RCI)
i s unacceptable.” and the Burmese Rohingya Association Mr. Shwekey Hoipang – Mr. Kyaw Zwa –
Ms. Wai Hnin Pwint Thon, whose of North America (BRANA). ## Chin Community in UK Burma Muslim Association UK
f ather is one of the many political
p risoners still serving a jail sentence
h ighlighted the situation in Burma,
a nd said: "When we talk about free-
d om, it is not only for one person but
f or all the peoples in Burma."
In Bangladesh some senior

Rohingya political leaders had sat for

a meeting to support “The Rohingya

Global Day of Action” and condemned
U SDP minister U Khin Yi for branding
R ohingya Muslims of Arakan as illegal
B engali immigrants.
The protest concluded peacefully
w ith further demands for immediate Ring Du Lachaung – Mr. Mathew Jones - Ko Aung -
l ifting of all restrictions on the K a c h i n National Organisation UK Christian Solidarity Worldwide 88 Generation Students UK
Rohingya’s freedom of movement,

marriage, education and for uncondi-

tional release of all political

prisoners, including Rohingya MP U
K yaw Min and his family.
A joint statement released by 8
R ohingya communities Organizations
w orldwide and other three individual
R ohingya organizations called on Bur-
mese government to immediately re-

store the fundamental human rights

and freedom, citizenship rights and

ethnic rights of the Rohingya in the

country.
The eight Rohingya organizations
a re: the Arakan Rohingya National Anna Roberts – Excutive Mrs. Nant Bwa Bwa Phan Waihnin Pwint Thon –
O rganization (ARNO); the Burmese Director Burma Campaign UK Karen Community UK. A daughter of Political Prisoner

BURMESE ROHINGYA ORGANISATION UK ( BROUK ) PRESIDENT TUN KHIN, SPEAKING IN THE DEMONSTRATION

IN FRONT OF BURMESE EMBASSAY IN LONDON, ON " THE ROHINGYA GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION"

ARAKAN MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2011 7
COVER STORY www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.org

ROHINGYAS’ EVER BIGGEST DEMONSTRATION IN TOKYO AGAINST

NEW USDP GOVERNMENT’S RACIST STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENTS

On 15 September 2011, the Burmese The Rohingyas in Japan call upon
Rohingya Association in Japan the international communities to come
(BRAJ) organized ever biggest f o r w a r d to protect their rights and
Demonstration rally in front of Tokyo freedom and legitimate interests. The
Burmese Embassy in response to the Rohingyas at the rally demanded that

new USDP Government’s racist state- the USDP Government immediately

ment in parliaments of Burma against restore the fundamental human rights

ethnic Rohingyas. and freedom, citizenship rights and

The Rohingyas in Japan participated ethnic rights of the Rohingya people.
“THE ROHINGYA GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION" There were about 90 people partici-
ROHINGYAS IN JAPAN PROTESTING IN FRONT OF THE
with the enthusiasm of their loves for pated at the rally including some
BURMESE EMBASSY IN TOKYO ON “ THE ROHINGYA
their nation. The protest was started Japanese and Burmese communities. GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION “
with the explanation of why they are Before concluding the rally BRAJ
staging this demonstration by BRAJ president read out the joint statement of
President Zaw Min Htut and represen- Rohingya organizations and handed out
tatives from various organizations the statement and other historical

working for human rights in Japan document to the Embassy mail box. The

made their speeches in support of rally was lasted about one and half

Rohingya cause. The Rohingyas hours. The peaceful demonstration was
strongly condemn the irresponsible ended with the slogans: WE WANT OUR
statements and lies in the Parliament CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS AND ETHNIC RIGHTS
by the Thein Sein Regime ministers is NOW, RIGHT NOW … …. …. RIGHT NOW. WE
nothing but an open threat to continue WANT OUR FREEDOM AND JUSTICE. COME
denying the Rohingya people of their ON BROTHER LET’S GET OUR ACT TO-
rights and freedom including their GETHER !! LONG LIVE THE ROHINGYA
right to nationality and residence GLOBAL DAY !! ROHINGYAS IN JAPAN PARTICIPATED THE DEMONST -
within territory of the state. The Rohingya problem was a R A T I O N IN FRONT OF TOKYO BURMESE EMBASSY,
" THE ROHINGYA GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION "
The response of the USDP c r e a t i o n o f the Burmese ruling Junta, it
ministers to the queries of Rohingya was created by denying the Rohingyas’
MPs in the parliament were full of c itizenship rights which is inalienable, a
hatred and were deliberate attempts to right that cannot be taken away by
perpetrate human rights violations enacting discriminatory law. The
continuously against the innocent and Rohingyas have been settling in Arakan
peace-loving Rohingya people. The from long before the British occupation
Rohingyas in the country and o f t h e c o u ntry. In fact the forefathers of
overseas alike strongly condemn the Rohingyas had entered into Arakan from

military back semi-democratic t i m e i m m emorial. The Burmese ruling

government of Burma for its baseless Junta do not try to know, that the
and concocted allegations against the Rohingyas have a long history, tradition
Rohingya people in the highest a n d c u l t ure that they had built up in
political forum. Such a foolish A r a k a n b y their long and historic
statement or uncivilized behavior is settlement. In fact the Rohingyas have
tantamount to committing crimes been settling in Arakan for more than a MEMBERS OFJAPANESE AND BURMESE COMMUNI-
against humanity. thousand years. ## TIES PARTICIPATED THE DEMONSTRATION IN TOKYO,
" THE ROHINGYA GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION"

BRAJ PRESIDENT ZAW MIN HTUT DELIVERING HIS KEYNOTE SPEECH
BRAJ MEMBERS WITH SOME JAPANESE AND BUMESE
TO THE DEMONSTRATORS IN FRONT OF TOKYO BURMESE EMBASSAY, C O M M U N ITIES PARTICIPATED THE DEMONSTRATION
ON “ THE ROHINGYA GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION " IN TOKYO,"THE ROHINGYA GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION"

ARAKAN MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2011 8
PRESS RELEASE www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.org

Following is a joint press release dated 14 th. September 2011, issued by Arakan Rohingya National Organisation
( ARNO), Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK), Rohingya League for Democracy Burma (RLDB), Burmese Rohingya

Association in Japan (BRAJ), Burmese Rohingya Community in Australia (BRCA), Burmese Rohingya Community in Norway

(BRCN), Canadian Burmese Rohingya Organization (CBRO), Free Rohingya Campaign (FRC).

JOINT STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE IRRESPONSIBLE RACIST STATEMENTS IN THE

PARLIAMENT BY THE USDP GOVERNMENT MINISTERS AGAINST THE ETHNIC ROHINGYAS

The following joint statement is issued by the Rohingya organizations worldwide against the responses of the concerned USDP
m inisters (one of them is former police chief U Khin Yi, Minister for Immigration and Population) to the questions raised by the
R ohingya MPs at the first formal parliamentary sessions on the issues and problems (human rights violations) being faced by the
M uslim Rohingyas of Arakan.

1. The responses of the USDP ministers in the parliament were full of hatred and are deliberate attempts to perpetrate human rights

violations against the Rohingya people. We strongly condemn the Thein Sein government for its baseless and concocted allegation

against the Rohingya people (of illegal immigrants) in the highest political forum. Such a foolish statement or uncivilized behavior is

tantamount to committing crimes against humanity.

2 . Since Dictator Ne Win, for about half a century, grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity have been perpetrated
against the ethnic Rohingya by way inventing make-believe stories while putting the otherwise peacefully living communities of
Rohingyas and Rakhine at loggerheads.

3. The irresponsible statements and lies in the parliament by the Thein Sein regime is nothing but an open threat to continue denying
the Rohingya people of their rights and freedom, including their right to nationality and residence within the borders of the State.

4. The unfounded and irresponsible accusation against the ethnic Rohingya by the USDP ministers as illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators/

Bengalis not only contradicts with the Rohingya historicity but also disagrees with the annual reports and statements of the various

International Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations. The real story is the other way, as about 1.5 million Rohingyas,
who have had to leave their homeland to escape persecution since 1942, are already in Diasporas in many countries of the world.
International community and UNHCR have confirmed that there is a protracted emergency in Bangladesh as result of the influx of
Rohingya refugees from Burma.

If the Rohingyas were illegal Bengali infiltrators why Thein Sein and many other former SPDC ministers assured the Rohingya voters
of restoring soon the Rohingya’s rights and freedom during their election campaigns to northern Arakan.

5. The open rejection of Rohingya people by Thein Sein government requiring them Form-4 to travel from place to place like aliens is

tantamount to making them stateless in violation of the international covenants or treaties on reduction of statelessness and

protection of minorities and the helpless people. We strongly denounce the Thein Sein government for having such wicked attitudes
towards Rohingyas.

6. The USDP ministers hatefully tag the Rohingya children as black list babies accusing that their fathers have fled (in fact
persecution) and illegally entered again into Arakan and have produced babies by unlawfully living together with their wives with
whom they have legal wedlock. It is a clear violation of the Child’s Rights under Conventions and international law.

7. It is an affront to the humanity as well as to the people and government of Bangladesh that the Thein Sein government is firm to

continue applying the so-called Burma Citizenship law of 1982, which was enacted in violation of the terms of international customary

law, particularly to denationalize the Rohingya people by accusing them of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

8 . Thein Sein government was particularly critical of the Muslim Rohingya’s common religion, culture, appearance and language with
t he people of Bangladesh in order to accuse them as aliens. Here it is worth-mentioning that Burma is an ethnically diverse country.
N ot only the Rohingya, all ethnic peoples (Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, etc.) living along all the Burma borders have
c ommon religion, culture, appearance and language with the peoples living in the adjacent countries. Despite this the ministers made
the Rohingyas special target for being Muslims with a view to accelerating its ethnic-cleansing policy.

9. The extreme view expressed by the USDP dictatorship implying the need for the ‘extermination of Rohingya’ as a national security

plan reveals how much they abhor and preach systematic hatred against the Rohingyas (on grounds of ethnicity and religion). It is a

serious concern that the foregoing statements of the Burmese civilianized military regime against the ethnic Rohingya people is a

threat to regional and international peace and security. We, therefore, call upon the international community, UN Security Council and
its member States, EU, ASEAN, OIC to mount effective pressures on the Thein Sein government to cease its ongoing human rights
violations against the Rohingyas; to protect their rights and freedom and legitimate interests; and to provide them with necessary
assistance. Meanwhile, we demand that the USDP government immediately restore the fundamental human rights and freedom,
citizenship rights and ethnic rights of the Rohingya people. ##

ARAKAN MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2011 9
PRESS RELEASE www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.org

Following is a press release dated 8 th. September 2011, issued by ARAKAN ROHINGYA UNION ( ARU ) from U.S.A Office.
ARAKAN ROHINGYA UNION (ARU) REFUTES THE FALSE STATEMENTS ON ROHINGYA ETHNIC MINORITY
MADE BY JUNTA MINISTERS AT HLUTTAWS ( PARLIAMENTS ) SESSIONS

The Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU) denounces the false and fabricated statements made by the Burmese Military’s

Minister of Immigration and Population Affair, U Khin Yi ( the former Police Chief) in the parliament sessions held in Naypyitaw,

Burma, on August 31 and September1, 2011. The followings are highlights of the false statements by the minister that

are challenged by ARU with facts:

■ Statement 1: The population (referring to the Rohingya) in Maungdaw in Rakhine State is assumed to be “Bengalis” (the Bangladeshis)

because they share common physical appearance, culture, religion, and language Dialect with those in Bangladesh.

Fact: The Minister contradicted the historical facts that the Rohingya popula8on pre--existed Bri8sh colonial rule in their native

Arakan several hundred years prior to the arbitrary demarcation of Burma--Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) by the Bri8sh in1948.

■ Statement 2: The Bengali illegal immigrants entered Burma due to rich natural resources in Arakan State.

Fact: Northern Arakan, has always been the least developed and economically most depressed region in Burma with Limited

natural resources.

■ Statement 3: In a mass migration of Bengalis to Arakan State, 180,000 Bengalis were scrutinized in 1978, and 230,000 in 2005, and

they were given refuge for stability in the border region and nationalism through the operations such as Nagamin (King Dragon of

Flames) and Hintha (a Burmese mythological bird of guardianship base on ultra ▬ nationalist ideology).

Fact: The na8onalist and xenophobic Burmese junta never allows foreigners to settle in Burma. A so-called gesture of goodwill

nationalism to nearly half-a-million alleged illegal Bengali immigrants by the Junta to settle in Arakan State for border stability

is tantamount to a mockery of its own policy of intolerance of Rohingya and Ethnic cleansing. The Rohingya evidence to the were

repatriated to their native land as the military could not present on iota of interna8onal community that they were Bengalis.

The Nagamin and Hintha opera8ons that drove half-a-million of Rohingya out of Arakan were a Mis- calculated ethnic
c leansing projects.

■ Statement 4. There are no travel bans on this Bengali population. Because some of these Bengali had penetrate deep into the
country, the Travel Form-­4 is required to be approved by the authority to travel to other destinations. A total of 360 persons
w ere allowed to travel, and 23 students were allowed to go to college.

Facts: Of over 2 million Rohingyas in Arakan State, 360 individuals were allowed to travel with a 30--day stay-- permit, closing each

person in excess of Kyat 200,000( extortion, not fees), plus additional Kyat 100,000 for each extra 30 days, for up to 90 days.

A small group of students were granted admission to a college in SiNwe, but they were denied travel permits – a Catch--22.

■ Statement 5. From 2005 to 2011 (in 6 years), a total of 278 Bangladeshis were apprehended for illegally entering Burma.
Fact : Each year Nasaka (Burmese Border Security) Force apprehends several Bangladeshi fishermen from the Bay of Bengal,

often by crossing over to Bangladesh territorial water or at high seas at interna8onal water. These apprehension strategies are
d evised by Nasaka to use as false statistics for branding Rohingya as illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

■ Statement 6. Bangladeshis illegally enter Arakan State and get married with local women (implying Rohingya women) before
they head off to Rangoon and deep into the country; therefore, marriage permits are required.
F act : ARU challenges Burmese Junta to produce a shred of evidence of a Bangladeshi man getting married to a Rohingya

woman anywhere in Arakan State. The non--issuance of marriage permit is essen8ally a ban on marriages among

Rohingya couples targeting at popula8on reduc8on and eventual elimination of Rohingya ethnic minority through a “no —
new— baby “ Strategy.

ARU calls on the Rohingya people worldwide, its fellow citizens in Burma and overseas, and the international community to
Denounce these false allegations and fabrications made by the Burmese Military Junta’s minister in the Parliamentary session against
Rohingya ethnic minority. The parliament and the Burmese Military Junta must take immediate steps to retract the false statements
made by its minister at the parliament sessions, and unconditionally reinstate all political and human rights to the Rohingya ethnic

minority. ##

DAW SUU KYI WELCOMES MYITSONE HYDROPOWER DAM SUSPENSION

Friday, Sep. 30, 2011, Rangoon : Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has
welcomed the suspension of the Myitsone Hydropower dam announced by
Burmese President Thein Sein on Friday. She made the comment during a meeting
with a government minister, Aung Kyi, at a government guesthouse in Rangoon.
T h e two also discussed the release of political prisoners, protection of the
Irrawaddy River and peace with ethnic armed groups. Thein Sein told Parliament in
a letter that he will suspend construction on the Myitsone dam for the duration of
The construction at Myitsone Dam. his presidency. ##

ARAKAN MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2011 10