Arakan November 2011

8/3/2019 Arakan November 2011

1/16

CAN HILLARY CLINTON AND AUNG SAN SUU KYI CHANGE BURMA

Minister U Nu, pose for a photograph induring Dulles visit to Burma in 1955.

A R A K A N 11 20The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , left, shakes hwith Burmese President Thein Sein during her visit to Buin 2011, was the highest-level US Official in 56 Years.


2/16

CONTENTS23

5

67

8

10

101011

12

12

1213

14

14

1516

EDITORIAL : " CLINTON AND THE CHANGESIN BURMA "COVER STORY : CAN HILLARY CLINTON ANDAUNG SAN SUU KYI CHANGE BURMA ?COVER STORY : CLINTON VISIT OPENSBURMA ROAD TO DEMOCRACYPRESS RELEASE : ARNO WELCOMES THEVISIT OF US SECRETARY OF STATE TO BURMANEWS FEATURE : BBC REPORT STIRS ANTI-ROHINGYA SENTIMENT

HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE : ANTI-ROHINGYACAMPAIGNS, VIOLATIONS ....NEWS ARTICLE :US BASED ROHINGYADELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN CONF ...NEWS : BGB ARRESTS 16 BOAT-PEOPLE, 33PUSHED BACK TO BURMANEWS : 47 ROHINGYAS PUSHEDBACK TO BURMAFEATURE NEWS : THE ROHINGYAS AND THEIRHISTORIC RIGHTS IN ARAKANNEWS ARTICLE : DHAKA SEEKS TOREDEFINE BORDER PACTS ......NEWS : 2 ROHINGYAN WOMEN RAPED AND 4VILLAGERS GUNNED DOWN ..NEWS : CLINTON VISIT WONT PRESAGE END TO SANCTIONSNEWS ASSESMENTS :CLINTONS VISITOPENED A NEW CHAPTER IN ...........NEWS ON REFUGEES : BANGLADESH URGESUNHCR TO HELP REPATRIATE ....NEWS ARTICLE : CHANGES IN BURMA :A FLICKER OR A FLAME ?

NEWS OF BOAT PEOPLE : ROHINGYA BOATPEOPLE CAPTURED NORTH ...BACK COVER : BOAT CAPSIZES IN BAY OFBENGAL, 17 ROHINGYA RESCUED ....

ARAKAN MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER ISSUE 2011 2

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton began her first trip to Buby meeting President Thein Sein and other top officials in Naypywith armed ethnic conflicts and political prisoners top on the ageShe was the first US Secretary of State to visit Burma in56 years athe visit of US Secretary of State John Foster Dullas in Febru1955.He was the last American Secretary of State to visit Burma duthe democratic government of U Nu. At that time, Burma considered the jewel of Asia. It is encouraging that Aung San Suu Know free to take part in the political process, but that will nosufficient unless all political parties can compete in free, fair, credible elections.In addition to calling for the release of political prisoners and anto ethnic violence, Clinton said the US wants to see a truly polisystem and improvement in human rights. She also warned country's leaders to break suspected illicit military, nuclear and balmissile cooperation with North Korea that may violate UN sanctThein Sein had outlined his government's plans for reform and afor US help in making the transition from military to full civilian rule.The modest first steps Clinton announced include Washingtolonger blocking enhanced cooperation between Burma and International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) that could lead to the approvmuch- needed loans and support for the Burma. Also, the US wsupport intensified UN health and microfinance program and resbilateral counter - narcotics effort.

Following her press conference at Suu Kyi's lakeside villa, theSecretary of State addressed reporters for a second time in Rangthat day when she announced that the US has offered Burma US $million in aid to support micro-finance, health care and assistancethe victims of landmines, and would also support US university foundations to increase academic exchange collaboration in hegovernance and other matters. Hillary told the representativeminorities (including Rohingya) unity in diversity, recognize to eother, respect to each other and work together.The assessment team from the World Bank was part of a packthat Clinton announced in Naypyidaw offering a handful of mopolitical and economic concessions to Burma as reward for its retentative reforms. Clintons visit signifies the Americans' willingnesinvest major political capital in Burma. Clinton brings with her not the momentum of global outcry for freedom, but also as a leamember of the US administration, she can also use her influenchelp reconcile Burma's various political factions, including the milidemocracy activists, and ethnic nationalities.Clintons visit signifies the Americans' willingness to invest mpolitical capital in Burma. Clinton brings with her not only momentum of global outcry for freedom, but also as a leading memof the US administration, she can also use her influence to reconcile Burma's various political factions, including the milidemocracy activists, and ethnic nationalities. Cont. P. 3

READ ARAKAN ONLINE KNOWMOREABOUT ROHINGYA PEOPLEwww.rohingya.orgEmail : info @ rohingya.org

: arakan.magazine @gmail.com

"CLINTON AND THE CHANGES IN BURMA


3/16ARAKAN MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER ISSUE 2011 3

www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.orgEDITORIAL

The three-day (Nov.30Dec 2, 2011) visitof Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, toBurma the first by a US Secretary of Statesince the visit of Johan Foster Dulles in 1955 indicated the growing self-confidence ofPresident Thein Sein that the cautious policyof domestic reforms and external opening-

up initiated by him. As the first U.S. Secre-tary of State to visit Burma in 56 years,Hillary Clintons trip marks a turning point,and there is high expectation that Burma

may finally be coming out of the cold.

Meanwhile, the Chinese were openly worried and concerned of Clinton's visit to Burma. Beijing had ta

The Global Times, a mouthpiece for the Chinese governmentwrote that China has no resistance toward Buput the ball firmly in Thein Sein's court and uplift the spirit of democratic and ethnic oppos

justify the military supremacy role would not work with the US. And if he wants bigger carrot, which is

The plight of the Rohingya people remains unchanged, though Thein Sein had promised to change the fatto Buthidaung Town before the election of 2010. All kinds of persecution are still being tried agaMeanwhile, the restrictions on their basic freedoms like religious freedmarriage, education and trade and business must be lifted forthwith. In order to instill sens

With the assassination of General AungSan, the father of Suu Kyi, after Burmasindependence from Britain, the dream of apeaceful and democratic Burma quicklyfaded. Even today, while resisting the cen-tral governments ethnocentric nationalismand chauvinism for decades, Burmas vari-ous opposition groups, while they share acommon goal for democracy, have neverunified under a common leadership or setof principles.

Distrustful of the population, the Burmese

army took over political and econcontrol, and according to commenMary P. Callahan, after cleaning hinside the army, Gen. Ne Win ledultimate offensive against civilian pmentary ruler Prime Minister U Government in March 1962. Aga1990, under a new name and a newof army generals, an even more bmilitary junta grabbed political pback from the election-winning Nat

League for Democracy.Following the Saffron Revolutio2007, the Burmese military regimeviewed negatively by the world at-lWith the fresh memory of monks bon their hands, it could no longerthe blunt force of violence against ASan Suu Kyi, as it did during the DepayinMassacre.

Callahan concluded that there wbe no easy solutions to the probledissembling this security-obsestate and replacing it with a newthat treats citizens with dignity accountability. The removal of

handful of top generals and colofrom the government, and replacement with fraudulently eleofficials, will not transform the cenold command relationship betweestate and society overnight.

Callahan also rightly noted that methnic minority leaders queswhether a democratic governbased in central Burma would rcommit national resources to devment programs in ethnic bon Suuand her political party, order areas.

as the world focuses Cont. P. 4Burmese President Thein Sein, front right, and his wife, Khin Khin Win, left, talkwith US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, front center, between meetingsat the President's Office in Naypyidaw, Burma on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011.

CAN HILLARY CLINTON AND AUNG SAN SUU KYI CHANGE BURMA ? By M.A. ALAM



3 many minority leaders worrythat their needs are not being taken intoaccount.

The political uncertainty in Burmastortured history rivals that of Gorbachevand Deng Xiaoping. Surely a change ofclothes from military uniforms to civiliangarb cannot, at this stage, be equated witha true change of heart to embrace genuinedemocratic reforms in Burma. The army

finally released Suu Kyi from house arrestn 2010, but it has continued its brutal

assaults on ethnic minorities in conflictareas. However, simultaneously, the newgovernment began a concerted charmoffensive on all fronts, including itspursuit of separate cease-fires with armedethnic groups.

Regardless, Clintons visit signifiesthe Americans willingness to invest majorpolitical capital in Burma. Clinton bringswith her not only the momentum of aglobal outcry for freedom, but also as aeading member of the U.S. administration,

she can also use her influence to helpreconcile Burmas various politicalfactions, including the military, democracyactivists, and ethnic nationalities.

As Suu Kyi says, most Burmese maynot understand English, but they all knowthe meaning of democracy and freedom.So far, Suu Kyi seems to have set asideher differences with Thein Sein. Therecent gains, including the halt of a majordam project, the symbolic release of ahandful of political prisoners, and theslight relaxation of press freedoms havebeen attributed to their renewed relations.

While Thein Sein, in his 45-minutes

detailed briefing, offered gradual releaseof political prisoners, cease-fire between

his government and ethnic resistancearmed forces, political reform, mediafreedom, adopting international agree-ments on nuclear programs leading torefrain or forgo its illicit dealings withNorth Korea, Clinton responded that theU.S. will match action with action.

She said: I encouraged them tocontinue moving along the path of reform,and that is a path that would require

releasing all political prisoners; haltinghostilities in ethnic areas and seeking atrue political settlement; broadening thespace for political and civic activity; fullyimplementing legislation protecting uni-versal freedoms of assembly, speech, andassociation.

She also stressed that U.S. supportfor loosening restrictions on health andmicrofinancing programs by the UnitedNations and offered U.S. support forexploring other international aid, apartfrom the restoration and upgrading thediplomatic relation to a full embassy withan ambassador. In addition, Clinton also

invited Burma to become an observer tothe Lower Mekong Initiative, a U.S.-backedgrouping aimed at discussing the future ofSoutheast Asia's major waterway.

According to Clinton Press Availability,released in Rangoon, it writes: This after-noon, Im pleased to announce we willtake a number of steps to demonstrate ourcommitment to the people. These are inaddition to the more formal government-to-government actions that I announcedyesterday in Nay Pyi Taw. First, we willincrease assistance to civil societyorganizations that provide micro-creditlending, healthcare, and other criticalneeds throughout the country, particularly

www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.orgCOVER STORYin the ethnic nationality areas.

Second, we will launch a peoppeople exchange program that will inca substantial English language teacinitiative in partnership with ASEANthe East-West Center. Third, we will with partners here on the ground to proassistance to citizens who suffer fromworst consequences of internal conespecially land mine victims. Fourth

will be supporting the work of Ameuniversities and foundations to incracademic exchanges and collaboratiohealth, governance, and other matters.

Coinciding with the visit of CliAung San Suu Kyi confirmed Wednes30 November, that she will runparliament in upcoming elections. couldnt help wonder, if this is agachoreographic move designed to give impact or impression that President TSeins reform process is a no rundertaking and on its way to irrever

journey. Whether it is only a supegesture or a true commitment on the p

the current Burmese government, aMyat Soe, a former student leader living in the United States, obsetwilight is finally descending on dictators. This is a perfect time for Clto go to Burma and meet with Suu Kyi.

Even though she has been relefrom house arrest, like all other BurmSuu Kyi is not yet truly free. In ordfulfill her promises and those made bfather, Burma still has to releasepolitical prisoners and must bestow epolitical rights on ethnic nationalitielaying down the groundwork for a truedemocratic political process.

Naypyitaw has given a 4-proposition: ceasefire, setting up of liaoffices, freedom of movement without and designation of date, time and venuthe next higher level meeting whichSSA-S has accepted. In return, the SSAcounter-proposal includes 4 point protion: ceasefire, political negotiatdevelopment and cooperation on narcodetails of which are still undisclosed.

Meanwhile, the Chinese were opworried and concerned of Clintons viBurma, which she declared wafact-finding mission and evaluating

sincerity of Naypyitaws democratisprocess. But taken by Beijing as a mowoo Naypyitaw away from its aintruding into its traditional spherinfluence and seen as the U.S. encircleto isolate and limit its rising power.

Indeed, Beijing still has its proarmies United Wa State Army (UWSA)National Democratic Alliance Army (NDboth former Communist Party of B(CPB), which China had armed and traduring 1968 to 1985, to overthrow theBurma Socialist Programme Party (B

regime, headed by Cont. P.Clinton and Suu Kyi - the Nobel laureate who has come to symbolise the pro-democracy

aspirations of Burma's people - held a private dinner on Thursday and met again on Friday

at Suu Kyi's lakeside home in Rangoon.


5/16

General Ne Win. While the

question of Beijing making use of itsproxies to disrupt the warming up of U.S.relation with Burma still looks quiteremote for the time being, the likelihood ofreplaying the scenario of aiding the CPBcould not be completely ruled out.

The Global Times, a mouthpiece for theChinese government, in an editorial, on 30November writes: China has no

resistance toward Myanmar seekingmproved relationship with the West, but it

will not accept this while seeing itsnterests stamped on. To sum up,

Clintons visit has worried China, put theball firmly in Thein Seins court and upliftthe spirit of democratic and ethnicopposition camps.

As for returning back the ball whichs in his court, Thein Sein would need to

come up with a decision of either wholesale or gradual, selective release of thepolitical prisoners; and nation-wideceasefire all at once or waging wars withsome ethnic armed groups, while offeringceasefire talks with the others. Besides,he would also need to clarify the regimesmilitary relationship with North Korea.

I am obviously looking to determinefor myself and on behalf of ourgovernment what is the intention of thecurrent government with respect tocontinuing reforms both political andeconomic, Clinton said. We and manyother nations are quite hopeful that theseflickers of progress ... will be ignited intoa movement for change that will benefitthe people of the country, she said.

For Clinton, its a little bit of a tightrope

walk right now. It requires delicate steps,one by one. But one thing is certain: itsthe twilight of the military dictators inBurma. Everyone in Burma, including thegenerals, wants U.S. help. Expectationsare high. This is a once in a lifetimeopening in which the worlds two mostrespected women can bring positivechange to Burma. Can history be madewhile the two ladies quietly sip teatogether and the Burmese generals waitoutside? ##

By M. A. ALAM"The United States wants to be a partner

with Burma," Clinton said at Aung San

Suu Kyi's home in Rangoon. "We want towork with you as you further democratisa-tion, as you release all political prisoners,as you begin the difficult but necessaryprocess of ending the ethnic conflicts thathave gone on far too long, as you holdelections that are free, fair, and credible."

IF we go forward together, Im confidentthere will be no turning back from the roadto democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi told thefirst US secretary of state to visit Burma inhalf a century. We are not on that roadyet, but we hope to get there as soon aspossible with our friends. Three points inthat statement are worth noting. First,

Aung San Suu Kyi understands that hercountry is not only not yet a democracybut is not even on the way there. Second,that daunting reality has not discouragedher from seizing an opening provided bythe liberalisation in Burma in recentmonths. And third, she has welcomed theUnited Statess cautious engagement topromote further reform.

President Thein Sein has taken the firststeps toward a long-awaited opening. Hisgovernment has eased some restrictionson the media and civil society, opened adialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, theleader of Burmas democratic opposition,rewritten election and labor laws, andreleased 200 prisoners of conscience,U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton saidrecently in Burma. It is encouraging thatpolitical prisoners have been released, butover a thousand are still not free. Let mesay publicly what I said privately . . . Noperson in any country should be detainedfor exercising universal freedoms ofexpression, assembly, and conscience.

John Foster Dulles was the last Ameri-can Secretary of State tovisit Burma. At the time,Burma was considered

the jewel of Asia. In thelast half century, othercountries have racedahead and turned EastAsia into a center ofdynamic growth. Themost consequentialq u e s t i o n f a c i n g[Burma] . . . is not [its]relationship with theUnited States or withany other nation,Secretary Clinton Said.It is whether leaders

www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.orgCOVER STORY

will let their people live up to their given potential. There is no guaranteethat question will be answered. But ianswered in a positive way, I thinkpotential is unlimited. [Burmas] dive- its dozens of ethnic groups languages, its shrines, pagodas, mosqand churches should be a sourcs t r e n g t h , S e c r e t a r y C l i ncontinued. We welcome initial steps the government to reduce ethnic tensio..... But as long as terrible violcontinues ..... it will be difficult to benew chapter.

For decades, the choices of countrys leaders kept it apart fromglobal economy and the communitnations, Secretary Clinton conclu

"Today, the United States is preparerespond to reforms with measured stelessen the isolation and to help improvlives of [Burmas] citizens. As I President Thein Sein ... the United Staprepared to walk the path of reform you if you choose to keep moving indirection. And theres no doubt direction is the right one for the people

Historic transformations often hawhen least expected. Mikhail Gorbacliberalising policies of glasnost perestroika in the Soviet Union emergone of the Cold Wars darkest hours. Xiaopings economic opening follo

Chinas bloody and failed invasioVietnam in 1978. And South Africasapartheid leader, F. W. de Klerk, initially perceived as just anoapologist for the system hardly theto free Nelson Mandela and overseeend of white minority rule.

Is Burma, like South Africa undeKlerk, truly poised to emerge from a century of self-imposed isolation? AndAung San Suu Kyi, the heroic opposleader, and Thein Sein, Burmas president, engineer a political transitioskillfully and peacefully as Mandela anKlerk did for South Africa in the

1990s? Daw Suu Kyi is now free to part in the political process and the recently announced that it will field cdates in the forthcoming by-elections tcountrys newly established parliamen

If Suu Kyi and all other political paare permitted to campaign free of restfor both her own seat and to booselectoral chances of her NLD colleaand others , it will be clear that Theinand his government are truly determinbring their country in from the coldGen. Than Shwes so-called discidemocratic system. ##

ARAKAN MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2011 5ARAKAN MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER ISSUE 2011 5

CLINTON VISIT OPENS BURMA ROAD TO DEMOCRAC"The United States is prepared to walk the path of reform with you if you choose to

moving towards road to democracy." It is encouraging that political prisoners have

released, but over a thousand are still not free." -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinto

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a press confer-

ence in Naypyidaw, during her historic visit in Burma.


6/16

Arakan Rohingya National Organisation(ARNO) warmly welcomes the forthcomingvisit of US Secretary of State HillaryRodham Clinton to Burma, while invitingher attention to the grave human rightsviolations and growing anti-Rohingyapropaganda by U Thein Sein government

and sate patronized racists.Grave human rights violations that

amount to crimes against humanity arewidespread in Rohingya and other ethnicareas. Most political prisoners are notreleased; Burmese military offensiveagainst Kachin and other ethnic peoplescontinued; no significant changes towardsnational reconciliation have been done. Inaddition, systematic racism againstRohingya has been institutionalized; andreligious persecution against non-Buddhist people especially Muslims andChristians has been increased.

It is worth-mentioning that the rejection

of Rohingyas citizenship rights and eth-nic rights by U Thein Sein government isthe main contributing factor to the growthof the refugee problem and boat peoplecrisis in the region. The Juntas policytowards Rohingyas has been intolerable.The extreme situation forced them toprefer to take perilous voyages by ricketyboats across seas and oceans; as a resulthundreds of Rohingya boat peopledrowned over the years.

Since last week about 140 boat peoplehave drowned. But the Nasaka bordersecurity forces disallow the villagers tocollect and bury the dead bodies floatingn the Naf River. The government of U

Thein Sein is responsible for this humantragedy. It is a regional problem with inter-national dimension; and the regional blocof ASEAN in which Burma was awardedchairmanship for 2014, has an obligationfor a regional solution.

The regime has black-listed the nameRohingya despite thefact that Rohingya asan ethnic group ofBurma was recog-nized by the former

parliamentary govern-ment (1948-1962). It isa part of the regimesmalevolent design todeny the Rohingya oftheir ethnic rights inBurma. Historicallyand genealogically,the Rohingya are apeople who developedin Arakan from peo-ples of different ethni-cal backgrounds overthe many centuries.Democratic and politi-

cal changes in Burmacannot be expectedunless all oppressivelaws are scrapped.The regime continuesapplying, on theRohingya in particular, the Burma Citizen-ship Law of 1982 enacted by formerdictator U Ne Win, in violation of custom-ary international law. This unjust law hasput the Rohingya in a situation ofstatelessness.

We, therefore, urge upon the U.S.Secretary of State to highlight over thefollowing issues during her visit to Burma:1) To restore citizenship rights and ethnicrights of the Rohingya people. To stoppersecution and human rights violationsagainst Rohingya and other peoples.2) To treat Rohingyas as human beings,and lift all restrictions on their freedom ofmovement, marriage, education, trade and

www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.org

business.3) To find a permanent solution toRohingya boat people crisis4) To accept Rohingya as a part ofBurmas democratic and political proalong the line of other ethnic nationaof the country.5) To scrap the Burma Citizenship La1982.6) To stop attacking ethnic peoples, dea nationwide ceasefire; and to releaspolitical prisoners.7) To engage in a meaningful procesdialogue with the ethnic nationalitiesthe democracy movement led by Daw ASan Suu Kyi. ##

ARAKAN MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2011 5ARAKAN MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER ISSUE 2011 6

PRESS RELEASE

ARNO WELCOMES THE VISIT OF US SECRETARY OF STATE TO BURMA

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton: Her his visit to Burma opens a new chapter. Arakan Roh

National Organisation (ARNO) warmly welcomes the visit

THREE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL STUDENTS JAILED BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

NWS

"NICE TO MEET YOU! LET ME HELP THROUGH......"

Thursday, 24 November 2011Mrauk-U, Arakan State: Three religious

students were jailed on November 4,

2011. They were arrested whiletraveling to their hometowns fromKyauktaw where they had beenstudying at a madrasa (religiousschool), according to a MuslimLiberation Organization of Burma(MLOB) statement.

The three were Md. Haleb (32),son of Ibrahim and Alam Gir (18),son of Md. Nasir, both from Kong-baung village in Mrauk-U and NoorShofi (18), son of Abdu Salam, fromSetkya village section of MinbyaTownship.

The three first went to Kyauktaw

town in 2010 for religious studies. Afterthe madrasa was closed, they werereturning to their homes by steamer dur-ing June 2011. However, a Mrauk-U immi-

gration officer arrested the three for nothaving movement passes.

The three were tried in court, andeach was sentenced to two and half yearsimprisonment on November 4, a relativeof one of the victims said from Sittwe(Akyab), who declined to be named. Onewas sent to Sittwe (Akyab) jail and the twoother were sent to Rangoon, according tothe MLBO statement in against theMuslims, which continue The ArakaneseMuslim community is concerned by thecontinuous persecution even under thePresident Thein Seins new civilian

Chairman explained. The MLOB appeathe international community, represeby ASEAN, the UN, the Organization oIslamic conference, and all democ

countries to help stop this persecutiothe minority Muslims in Arakan. ## SouThe Kaladan Press and Press Release of ML


7/16

9 November 2011 (BBC)A BBC report from last November that

carried a map depicting Arakan state aspopulated by the ethnic Rohingya minorityhas caused anger in Burma, and onceagain brought to the fore accusations ofentrenched racism within Burmesesociety.

Although published a year ago, andsince corrected, the BBC report hascirculated rapaciously on the internet inrecent weeks, and has become the subjectof a number of blog posts either criticisingthe BBC for implying the Rohingya arepart of the Burmese population, oramenting Buthe vitriolic responses its

report has attracted.The map in question demarcates areas

of Burma as belonging to specific ethnicgroups, albeit somewhat erroneously: theShan, for instance, are said to inhabit only

a third of modern-day Shan state, and theKaren are shown as the main ethnic groupn Irrawaddy division.

Following the publication, the BBCsBurmese Facebook page was hit withhundreds of complaints, some frommonks, calling on the organisation tossue a public apology and even remove

any reference to Rohingya from the map.Failing to apologise should result in a boy-cott of the BBC, some even argued.

The BBC has since amended the mapto include Rakhine, the name given bythe government to Arakanese, as alsopopulating the state, but anger continues

to boil.Many Burmese believe the Rohingya to

be of Bengali origin that over centurieshave migrated to western Burma, a senti-ment shared by the Burmese governmentwhich denies them citizenship and whichfor decades has meted out hefty treatmentagainst the group, forcing hundreds ofthousands to flee the country. Rohingyasupport groups say however that there is

evidence that Islam existed inBurma prior to the now-dominantTheravada Buddhism, and that theRohingyas roots in Arakan state goback centuries.

Rumours circulated in Rangoontoday that a protest would be heldoutside the British embassy overthe BBC report, although except fora number of local and foreign

journalists, little appeared tohappen. Jeremy Hodges, deputyhead of mission at the embassy,told DVB that he had made himselfavailable to accept any petition thatmay have been circulated amongprotestors, but that nothing was insight.

Rohingya are singled out for

preferential treatmentby groups like the Inter-national Organisationfor Migration, and thatmoney is given to themat the expense of otherArakanese, but we feel

this is a misconcep-tion, he said.

U n l i k e m a n yArakanese, Rohingyaare prevented fromtravelling freely outsideof specially-designatedzones, and are oftensubject to racial andreligious persecution.Up to 400,000 are livinga s r e f u g e e s i nneighbouring Bangla-desh, having fleddecades of maltreat-

ment at the hands of themilitary and localcivilians.

An article last week onthe New Mandala blog,run by academics fromthe Australia NationalUniversity, said thecries of protest weresomewhat hypocriti-cal.although Arakanethnic members veryoften talk against major-ity ethnic Bur-mans (orBamar) for what theycall the colonization ofArakan Burmanizationand Burmese chauvin-ism, they now mobilizethe entire Burmesepopulation against Ro-hingyas to protectBurma and its nationalraces.

Among critics of the Rohingya arehigh-profile Burmese, including Berlin-based historian Khin Maung Saw, whosepaper, Islamization of Burma ThroughChittagonian Bengalis as Rohingya

Refugees, triggered angry responses.Widespread anger was also vented atcurrent Burmese ambassador to the UN,

Ye Myint Aung. During his tenure asConsul-General to Hong Kong, he wrote ina letter to other heads of mission, andcopying in international newspapers, thatBurmas ethnic Rohingya were ugly asogres.On Saturday, October 29, 2011 BBCreplied News Online Complaintsas below:

Thank you for your comments. The mapwas not intended as an exclusive look atevery minority group in Burma. Rather it


was intended to flag up minority peopBurmas border regions who are prombecause they are engaged in edisputes or conflict with the Burmeseernment.

The line linking the Rohingya to Arstate was not intended to imply owneof the stste or to marginalize the Rakpeople, but simply to the readers the in which Rohingya live. The text linkthe image of the Rohingya makes it that they are not granted Burmese citship. We have now adjusted the line omap to give a clearer picture of wherRohingya are to be found. We have added a section featuring the Rakpeople.Thank you for reading the BBC News

website. Regards/ BBC News Website.

ARAKAN MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2011 5ARAKAN MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER ISSUE 2011 7NEWSFEATURE

S

NEWS FEATURES

BBC REPORT STIRS ANTI-ROHINGYA SENTIMENT By FRANCIS WADEAmended map first published on BB

on 6 November 2010 (BBC)



to use the words Arakan/Arakanese forthem. About 16 Rakhines had, on 16November 2011, protested in front of theBBC in London demanding apology fromBBC for suitably spotting the Rohingya asan ethnic group in Arakan in a report witha map, made in October 2010, by itsreporter Anna Jone. Why this protest after

nearly a year of its publication! It was dueto the governments intimidating attitudeand instigation of some Rakhinexenophobic academics and leaders. Onewonders whether similar protests wouldbe made against UN, USA, U.K. and E.U.for their use of the word Rohingya forMuslim Arakanese.

It is almost seven decades now (from1942) the extremist Rakhines are harpingon the tune of Muslim exterminationprompting state terrorism. Half of theirpopulation have either been expelled orhave had to leave their homeland for theirlives. Despite colossal damages in termsof human lives, properties and civilization,the Muslim Rohingya are still living site bysite with their Rakhine compatriots.Anti-Rohingya propagandais like a boomerang

Misinformation and actions againstRohingyas recoil on the regime, particu-larly when it claims to have been takingmeasures for political and democraticreforms, although until now very littlechange is done. The international commu-nity will continue identifying the regimecommitting crimes against humanity.Similarly the extremist Rakhines will be

branded as non-state actors committinginternational crimes. Their fanaticalpatriotism is a contributing factor to thegrowth of anarchism, violence, chaos andlawlessness in the country. It is reallysham and shame to speak of democracywithout practice. In a democratic society,there is no room for discrimination,exploitation, social injustice, the degrad-ing concept of prime nation andsub-nation, on ground of race, religion,colour, culture and political opinion.The word RohingyaLike former military regimes, U Thein Sein

government has blacklisted the wordRohingya in Burma. It might want toappease Rakhines under the policy ofdivide and rule. It might also be due inpart to the influence of xenophobicRakhine politicians and academics. How-ever, the analysts say that it is a neces-sary evil for the dictatorship to make theRohingyas scapegoats. They lied that theword Rohingya is nonexistent, unheardand a creation of Mujahids (Muslim rebels)and/or Rohingya leaders in 1951. Whenthe name Rohingya is substantiated withhistorical evidence, the imposters, who

include U Khin Maung Saw of Berlin, arguing without shame that Rohingythe other name of Rakhine as it defrom Rohang, a Bengali name for Ara1 But Dr. Michael W. Charney, SchoOriental and African Studies (SOUniversity of London, writes,

The earliest recorded use of

ethnonym immediately recognizableRohingya is an observation by FrBuchanan in 1799. As he explains, a dithat was derived from Hindi is spoken by the Mohammedans, who long been settled in Arakan, and whothemselves Roainga, or native of AraHe further mentions, it can be assehowever, that one claim of the Budschool in Rakhaing historiography, Rohingya was an invention of the colperiod, is contradicted by the evidence

Thus, the word Rohingya wascoined but a historical name for MuArakanese. There is still Muslim villaAkyab (Sittwe) city by the nameRohingya Para.Unknown is the word Arakan for its peo

Arakan is the name of the countrythe name of its people. Accordiunknown is the word Arakan for its peBut now Rakhines are calling themsalso Arakan, which is a distortion nevuse before. Arakan is a place name; abelongs to all its peoples. Its two mcommunities ofRohingyaand Rakhinto be called as Rohingya ArakaneseRakhine Arakanese when attributingname of their homeland to their respe

names. Muslim rule in ArakanMuslims played the phenomenal ro

kingmakers in Arakan. Its heyday bwith the spread of Islamic civilizaIslam spread and deeply rooted in Arsince 8th century from where it fuspread into interior Burma. 3 In Arakan was virtually ruled by Mus

from 1430 to 1531 4 to the extent twas turned into a sultanate. Arakandepicted as an Islamic State in the maThe Times Complete History of the Wshowing cultural division of Southeast(distribution of major religions) in (Edited by Richard Overy, eighth ed2010, page 148.). These are enevidences that the Muslims or Rohinare indigenous to Arakan.Acceptance of Rohingya asan ethnic nationality

On the basis of the historical evidethe Rohingya as an ethnic group wasognized by the parliamentary governthat ruled Burma from independenc1948 to 1958 and 1960 to 1962, wstated, The Rohingya is as the same p

the status of nationality with Cont. P

HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUSEANTI-ROHINGYA CAMPAIGNS, VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY NURUL ISLAM , U

In recent months, series of anti-Rohingya campaigns afloat insideand outside of Burma. To thesurprise of everyone, inflammatorywritings are often posted on a fewwebsites, face books and blogs thatreveal deep-seated ill-will againstthe peace loving Rohingyas.

Propaganda against Rohingyahas long been launched by theBurmese military dictatorship withsome Rakhine intellectuals and poli-ticians. Now it reached the newquasi-military governments highestpolitical institution, the parliamentin Naypyidaw. The regime and

xenophobes denied the existence ofRohingya as an ethnic group and allegedthat Rohingyas are illegal Bengalisentered into Arakan from Bangladesh.This concocted propaganda was met withstrong condemnation from Rohingyacommunities worldwide. There wereglobal protests in front of the Burmeseembassies on 15 September 2011. Theprotest rally held in London was joined byeaders and activists belonging to almost

all Burma ethnic groups and democracymovements, some local supporters andNGOs. Speakers emphasised that theRohingya are a part of the Burmassociety, and identified that they are worstvictims of human rights violations.Why is this anti-Rohingya propaganda?

The propaganda against Rohingya isan undemocratic campaign. The intentionbehind is to deny the Rohingya of their

rights and freedom -- their ethnic rightsand citizenship rights. For the regime it is(i) to divert the minds of the Burmesepeople away from the current politicalstalemate and ongoing civil war, wherechemical weapons were used against theKachin people, causing outflows ofrefugees and grave humanitarian crisis;(ii) to continue dividing the two sistercommunities of Rohingya and Rakhine oncultural and religious lines. For theRakhines, it is an opportunity to make aclean sweep of the Rohingyas, using thestate oppressive apparatus, for theirexclusive ownership of Arakan without

Muslims, in line with their popular slo-gans. Arakan is for Rakhine; Rakhine andBuddhism are synonymous. Fewmisguided people are seemed to havebeen allured to the anti-Rohingya trap.

Upon knowing the Thein Seingovernments hostile attitude towardsRohingyas, the Rakhines backed by theRakhine National Democratic Party(RNDP) organized anti-Rohingya meetingsn the cities of Rangoon and Akyab and

some towns in Arakan preaching extremehatred against the Rohingyas. Theywarned that the Rohingyas have no rights

HMARGSIS



Rohingya as an ethnic group. All these arewell documented, yet the regime andvested interest groups behave like anostrich. They are blind to see and are deafto hear. Human rights or nationality rightsof a people can be promoted and furtherenhanced, but in no way it can be revokedor downgraded.Rohingya ethnic identitydeserves protection

It was the democratic governmentwhich recognized Rohingya as an ethnicgroup. So, every responsible and crediblegovernment that comes to power hasresponsibility to safeguard, protect andpromote Rohingyas ethnic identity inBurma. Similarly good oppositions orpolitical parties have moral obligation tolook into it. To this concern we earnestlyinvite the attention of Burmas democracyicon and the leader of the National Leaguefor Democracy (NLD) Daw Aung San SuuKyi. Daw Suu may be aware that theRohingya people have been supporting

NLD with a high expectation on her.Alleged terrorist links, a conspiracyagainst RohingyaIt is paradoxical to accuse the Rohingya

organizations and freedom fighters tohave link with terrorist organizations. Thesources they have referred to includeSLORC/SPDC; and they are highlycontroversial as they are largely unsub-stantiated. They are simply guesswork tohoodwink the international community toserve the interests of the Burmese regimeand vested interest groups.

It is important to take cognizance of theactual situation of the Rohingya people,

who are victims of state terrorism. Theirmovement is a struggle for their survivaland existence with human dignity andrights. They have time and againcondemned terrorism of any forms anddeclared that they were (and are) not partof any other movement(s) or group(s)outside of Burma. In spite of that, forbeing Muslims, the regime and vestedinterest groups are trying to stain them tohave link with terrorist groups or terrorismparticularly after 11 September.

The human rights violations against theRohingya are systematic, persistent andwidespread that amount to crimes againsthumanity. Despite this, can anyone cite asingle example that the Rohingya ever didany excess, wrong and injustice inBurma? Rohingya organizations are deadagainst narcotic trade and any activitiescausing instability in the region. But theyare made scapegoats. It requires in-depthstudy before anyone is writing onRohingya who are dying alive only be-cause of their religion and ethnicity.Muslims did not claim Rohingyabefore Burma independence, why?

There is an argument posed specially

by some Rakhines, why the MuslimArakan did not call themselves Rohibefore and during Burmese independeThe answer is simple and pure. Dindependence period, the Rohingya ofan olive branch to fellow Rakhinestried to develop an integrated polculture, based on the common nataspiration of Arakaneseness, thrrapprochement with the spirit ofRoh

Rakhine Bhai Bhai or Rohingya RakTwin brothers. But the Rakhine politicwere not receptive to the proposal. claimed that Arakanese and Buddhismsynonymous and the Muslims or Rohiare outsiders. By bad luck, the extremamong them preferred to serve asinstrument of Rohingya oppression. terrible predicament, arising out ofpolicy of exclusiveness of the Rakcalled for the use of their exclusive ename Rohingya in order to protect legitimate rights and privileges. cannot be blamed or deprived of theirtorically inherent ethnic name Rohin

for not claiming it at a given time ininterest of solidarity and peaceful cotence among the peoples of Arakan.Last Words:

The Rohingya with a long histoArakan are an integral part of Bursociety. They are peace-loving; yet thenot tolerated and are persecuted in Bfor their religion and ethnicity. Rohinare living together with their Rakcompatriots in the same place, drinkinsame water and breathing the sameThere is no reason to be antagonisteach other; it will damage both Rohi

and Rakhine, and their children. Unboth peoples cultivate a political wchange this miserable condition, theybound to end up with humiliation inabyss of their history. Let us revivetraditional relationship for the future osucceeding generations. Let us together on democratic principles mutual respect, love and affection. Ththe only way to salvation!

Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Mon,

Rakhine and Shan. As such, togetherwith other ethnic nationalities of the coun-try, the Rohingya representatives partici-pated as state guests in the Union DayCelebration held in Rangoon on 12 Febru-ary every year.

Before the Rakhine language was put inthe programme, the Rohingya languagewas relayed trice a week from the indige-

nous language programme of the officialBurma Broadcasting Service, Rangoon,from 15 May 1961 to 30 October 1965 thats, nearly four years further beyond the

seizure of power by Gen. Ne Win. TheRangoon University Rohingya StudentsAssociation was one of the many ethnicstudent associations that functioned from1959 to 1961 under the registration num-bers 113/99 December 1959 and 7/60September 1960 respectively. In officialMyanmar Encyclopaedia Vol.9, 1964,pages 89/90 the historic narration wasgiven in detail concerning Rohingya whileaffirming that 75% of the population inMayu Frontier is Rohingya. In the map ofthe High School Geography, published inBSPP period, giving the distribution ofnational races in Burma, northern Arakans spotted as a region of Rohingya

settlement. There are many other evi-dences. Over and above, the Special MayuFrontier District was created forRohingyas development.They are blind and deaf

The regime and xenophobic Rakhinescontinue to reject Rohingya simplyalleging that they are illegal immigrantsfrom Bangladesh. Some members of the

democracy movement agree with theregime and critics that Rohingya do notexist, and that they are not Burmesecitizens. Like the regime, they will onlyaccept the existence of foreign BengaliMuslims in Arakan. They lack political willto accept the recognition of Rohingya byU Nu parliamentary government. Similarlythey never notice what the former

President of Burma, Sao ShweThaike, said, Muslims of Arakancertainly belong to one of the in-digenous races of Burma. If they donot belong to the indigenous races,we also cannot be taken as

Indigenous races.5The declaration of Rohingya as an

ethnic group, along the line of otherethnic nationalities by a Prime Min-ister of sovereign State was essen-tially a matter of national impor-tance with human rights or national-ity rights concern. So far, no quarteror political parties, includingleading Rakhine Ra-Ta-Nya party,had opposed it. Not this merelybut also countrys leading opposi-tion AFPFL (Stable) of U Ba Sweand U Kyaw Nyein had recognized


Notes and References :-1.Islamization of Burma Through Chittagon

Bengalis as Rohingya Refugees, U KhinMaung Saw.

2. Dr. Michael W. Charney, Buddhism in Ar

Theory and Historiography of the ReligiouBasis of the Ethnonym, Forgotten Kingdof Arakan Workshop, 23-24 November 200Bangkok, P.15; In Buchanan, A compaVocabulary, p.55

3.Sasana Ronwas Htunzepho a book publby SLORC in 1979.

4. Ba Shin, Coming of Islam to Burma 1700A research paper presented at Azad BhaNew Delhi in 1961, p.4.

5. The Rohingyas: Bengali Muslims or ArakMuslim, Euro Burma Office (EBO) BriefiPaper No.2, 2009. In Dr. San Oo Aung.http://sanooaung.wordpress.com 22 Jan2008. ##H

MARGSIS

HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE



US BASED ROHINGYA DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN CONFERENCE ON BURMA IN WASHINTON, Dovember 16, 2011, West Coast, USA.

The Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU),Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin, and the Co-founder of Free RohingyaCampaign, Nay San Oo, attended the Conference on Burma

titled China-Myanmar Relations: The Dilemma of Mutual

Dependence in early November, at the Georgetown Universityn Washington, D.C. The conference consisted four different

Panel Sessions, and the Panel Session II focused on theminority issues titled Myanmar/Minority Perspectives.

A significant component of this session covered theminority issues in the eastern frontier regions of Burma; how-ever, Rohingya issue in the western frontier also captured the

attention from the audience and the panel when ARUDirector General Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin raised humanrights and citizenship issues faced by the Rohingyaethnic minority in Arakan State in Burma. Dr. Uddin spe-cifically directed his questions to Tom Kramer of Trans-national Institute who addressed the Rohingya issues ata great length based on his experiences in Burma.

Addressing Dr. Uddins questions about the ploysby the ultra-racist Rakhine National Democratic Party(RNDP) to discredit the Rohingya parliamentarians and

RNDPs hostile moves against Rohingya ethnicminority, Mr. Kramer provided transparent and in-depthassessments of the post-election situation in Rohingyaregions in Northern Arakan. Mr. Kramers assessmentaccurately reflected the rapidly deteriorating situation inArakan. The reports of RNDPs approach to some majorethnic parties to form an alliance was discussed inPanel Session II that substantiate the earlier reports ofanti-Rohingya maneuvering of the radical RNDP inArakan and Naypyitaw at a high level.

BGB ARRESTS 16 BOAT- PEOPLE, 33 PUSHED BACK TO BURMAMonday, 21 November 2011, KALADAN NEWS

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested 16 boat-peoplewhile going to Malaysia with rickety engine boat from Shapuri Dip and another 33Rohingyas - arrested from Whaikong BGB check-post - were pushed back toBurma on November 19, according to BGB official statement.

Among the arrested 16 boat-people are seven Rohingya and nine Bangladeshi.BGB of Shapuri Dip, outpost camp seized a boat with suspected from the ShapuriDip jetty which was boarding some people who were coming from Burma andwaiting some people who will come from Coxs Bazar and local Shapuri Dip tooin the trip at noon.

The owner of the boat is Ismail, son of Haji Salay, hailed from Barmaya Paraof Shapuri Dip, said a fisherman from Shapuri Dip. Most of the engine-boats weregoing to Malaysia after getting understanding among Dalals (agents), local BGBmembers and Coast Guards, otherwise, the boat-people will be arrested, said aocal elder from Shapuri Dip who denied to be named. The well-known agents

from Shapuri Dip are:- Dolu Hussain, Mozi Bullah, Monna, Shaker, Amin, Shobbir,

Kana Jaffar, Kobira, Jaffar, Rejaul Karim, Nurul Alam, Rahim Ullah Younous,Nazir Ahmed Bulu, Amin.Besides, on November 18, at night, three agents were arrested including Nurul

slam and Belal by police from Nonna Sara of Coxs Bazar while preparing toboard on some boat- people into an engine trawler. But, nearly 40 persons werefled after sensing the presence of police and coast-guard. It is learnt that it will goto Shapuri Dip for boarding boat-people after boarding people from Coxs Bazar.Most of the people are Rohingya refugees, said SI of Coxs Bazar police station.Abdullah (36) a refugee - son of Abdul Amin from D-2 Block of Kutupalong camp

was arrested with suspicion and released after interrogation for not involving inthe human trafficking, said Zahirul Islam, an officer of Coast Guard. Police super(Model cycle) of Coxs Bazar Sayed Tofayel Ahmed confirmed the incident. It is a

suitable time for the boat-people as the sea is calm in winter, so that boat-peoplecan go easily to Malaysia by sea route, said a trader from Shapuri Dip. ##

Thursday, 24 November 2011 Kaladan NeTeknaf, Bangladesh: The Border GBangladesh (BGB) arrested 47 RohingyaNovember 21 at several border points. All sent back to Burma the same day at aboutpm, according to a BGB official.

The BGB arrested the Rohingyas betShapuri Dip and Taungbro as they enBangladesh for a variety of reasons. arrested 17 Rohingyas in the Nayapa area,the Dum Dum Meah area, 21 at Zeman Khal1 at Shapuri Dip, in total 47 members,official said.

The BGB has increased its border paRohingya people are frequently caught andback to Burma, said a local elder from bo

area who didnt give a name.The Whaikong BGB also seized med

valued at roughly Taka 361,500 being smugthrough the border to Bangladesh from Buthe BGB official stated.

The BGB also seized about 1,000 tablets on TeknafCoxs Bazar road. The doriginated in Arakan State, Burma. This infotion was confirmed by the 42 BGB BattCommander, Lt. Col Zahid Hassan of Teknaf

NEWSARTICLE

Prof. Dr. Mary Callahan (University of Washington), Prof. Dr. DSteinberg (Georgetown University), Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin (DirGeneral, Arakan Rohingya Union) and Nay San Oo (Co-founder,Rohingya Campaign) at Burma Conference in Washington, D.C.

www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.orgNEWS ARTICLE

Nay San Oo had an opportunity to meet separately with Mr. FJannuzi, (Policy Director) East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the UStates Senate on Foreign Relations Committee. Nay San Oo spcally expressed where Rohingyas have been brutally discriminby Burmese Regime and briefed about how 1982 Citizenshiprenders the Rohingya stateless. A number of journalists frompress in Washington had spoken to Dr. Uddin and Nay San Oarrange for interviews similar to that of the Radio Free Asia wit

Uddin in October. ## Source : ARU Secretariat, USA.47 ROHINGYAS PUSHED BACK TO BUR



Arakanese chronicles recorded a line ofkings reaching back to year 2666 BC. Morecertain is the Kingdom of Dannya Waddy(Dhannovati), which flourished at thebeginning of Christian era. Many modernscholars including U Aung Tha Oo and USan Tha Aung believes that the Rakhineswere Ayans who came from the west.

Brahmanical and Buddhist culturetogether an influx of Aryans speakersarrived in this area, in the early centuriesChristian era. So the people in thekingdom of Dannya Waddy were notAryans stocks. They might have beenProto-Australoid people like that of Bengalor Negrito group of Neolitihicdescendants. The pre-Aryan peoples arethe real Adivasis (aboriginal) of this area.They were not only the first occupants ofthe land and had been there for thousandyears until the Aryans and other peoplescome. Archaeological remains, manyhistorical and numismatics evidenceconfirms that the earlier Arakanesedynasties are thought to have been Indian,ruling over population similar to that ofBengal.

Arab traders were close contact withthe people as early as 788 AD and thatthey introduced the religious of Islamthere in as early as that time. Many theseArabs settled in Arakan. In the 8th centuryAD some Buddhists from Magadha innorth and northeastern India escaped per-secution of Hindu revivalism and tookshelter in Chittagong and Arakan region.

History does not help us in forming

an idea of Burmese infiltration into Arakanbefore 11th century AD. Hall and othersdescribed the Araknese (Rakhines) oftoday as basically Burmese with anunmistakable Indian admixture It is onlyabout the 11th century that we can speakof a people of Indo-Mongoloid stock, froman ethnic group in the intermixture oftribes of various ethnic origins, such as,Australoid, Mongoloid and other elementsnow known as Arakanese Buddhist.Historically they are called Magh, but theyprefer to identify themselves as Rakhine.

Rohingyas are descended from localindigenous tribes who lived in Arakan

since the dawn of history. They are thusnot descended from the Arabs, Moors,Persian, Pathens, and Moguls alone. TheArabs arrived in Arakan in the late 7thcentury AD, settled there and intermin-gled, intermixed and intermarried with thelocal people and converted a number oflocal populations including localBuddhists. The appearance of the Arab inArakan in the 7th century was far more ofa cultural phenomenon than ethnic one.The Persians, Truks, Pathens and otherMuslim migrant who came into Arakan inthe course of time were also merged with

the local populace. These vamigrations and local converts led to one common racial and linguclassification as Rohingya; a derived from Rohang, the ancient namArakan.

Dr. Michael W. Charney, SchoOriental and African Studies (SO

University of London, writes, The earecorded use of an ethnonym immedirecognizable as Rohingya is an observby Francis Buchanan in 1799. Asexplains, a dialect that was derived Hindi is that spoken by the Mohamdans, who have long been settleArakan, and who call themselves Roaor native of Arakan.

With the passage of time, there cto exist two distinct and compact commties of Rohingya and Rakhine in Arakaof those heterogeneous races and tand are thus equally entitled to sihistoric rights. Both are indigenous pecharacterized by objective criteria, suchistorical continuity, and subjective faincluding self-identification which needefine an indigenous people and to the right of self-determination. It mthat, if Rakhines have historic righArakan the Rohingyas have also the sright in Arakan. If the Rakhines fdetermine their political status and fpursue their economic, social, and cudevelopment, the Rohingyas have alssame rights to charter their destiny byfree will, by virtue of their rightself-determination. ##

In recent months, series of anti-Rohingya campaigns afloat inside andoutside of Burma. To the surprise ofeveryone, inflammatory writings are oftenposted on a few websites, face books andblogs that reveal deep-seated ill-willagainst the peace loving Rohingyas.

Even they have held seminars and

protest meetings in various places toprotest the use of the term Arakan byRohingya, a term which is, according toProfessor S H Hodivala, the great numis-matics of India, said to be derived fromthe Arabic word Al-Rakkang (SHHodivala, History of Indian Muslim NewDelhi: 1992, P-59). Arakan, with a popula-tion of diverse, ethnic, linguistic, culturaland religious identities, is the name of aand. Arakan belongs to All Arakanerse

peoples including Rohingyas those whohave historically lived in Arakan.

Across the last two thousand years,there has been great deal of localvibrancy as well as movement of differentethnic peoples through the region. For theast millennium or so, Muslims

(Rohingyas) and Buddhists (Rakhines)have historically lived on both side of NaafRiver, which marks the modern borderwith Bangladesh and Burma. In addition toMuslims (Rohingyas) and Buddhists(Rakhines) majority groups, a number ofother minority peoples also come to live inArakan, including Chin, Kaman, Thet,Dinnet, Mramagri, Mro and Khami etc.

The Muslims (Rohingyas) andBuddhists (Rakhines) had been peacefully

coexisting in Arakan over the centuries.Unfortunately, the relation between thosetwo sister communities began to growbitter at instigation of the third parties,during the long colonial rule of more thantwo centuries. The anti-Muslim pogromof 1942 in which about 100,000Rohingya were massacred, 50,000 of themwere driven across the border to the east

Bengal some parts of Muslimsettlements were devastated have caused rapid deterioration intheir relation.

Today, the greater number ofRakhines, under the patronization of

the successive regime, is hostile toRohingyas. They are main instru-ments of Rohingya oppression overthe decades. Even many Rakhinestoday claim Arakan to be thehistoric land of Rakhine Buddhists.Denying the existence of Rohingya,they state that Arakan belongs tothem alone and the Rohingyas havenothing to do with it and have noright to use the word Arakan.

It is not possible to scribe toRakhines an historic right, theright of first occupier. The

www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.orgFEATURE NEWSTHE ROHINGYAS AND THEIR HISTORIC RIGHTS IN ARAKAN BY AMANULLAH

FAURNWS




Bangladesh

s likely to call upon the Burmese govern-ment to redefine the Bangladesh-BurmaBorder Agreement-1980 and the boundarypact of 1966 during Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasinas visit to Burma. Revisiting the twoborder agreements has become necessaryn order to check trans-border crimes,

push back Rohingyas (Burmese citizens)llegally living on Bangladesh soil and

curb smuggling of arms, drugs and othercontrabands into Bangladesh from Burma.

Prime Minister Hasina, also presidentof ruling party Awami League, who isscheduled to visit Burma for the first timeduring December 5-7, is expected torequest her Burmese counterpart to takeback the Rohingyas from Bangladesh,said sources in the ministries of home andforeign affairs.

The premier is likely to call upon theBurmese government to stop militaryconcentration and manoeuvres on itsborder with Bangladesh with a view todefusing tensions, sources added.A high official of the home ministry toldThe Independent that some vexed issueswere likely to be resolved if the two gov-ernments redefined the two pacts.

During her visit, Hasina is likely torequest her counterpart to see that regularmeetings are held between the BorderGuard Bangladesh (BGB) and NASAKA,the Burmese border force, to resolveborder issues, he said. The director gen-

eral (DG) of BGB, Major General AnwarHussain, told The Independent that DG-evel, mid-level and lower-level meetings

should be held every year between BGBand NAKASA to contain cross-borderterrorism, and thus increase the quantumof trust and confidence between theborder forces of the two countries.

According to the sources, as part ofconfidence-building measures, Bangla-

desh should prevail upon the DG ofNAKASA to resolve the problem ofBangladeshi fishermen being appre-hended in the waters of the Bay andthe river Naaf while fishing.

The authorities are also likely to askMyanmar to take back Burmesenationals, who were arrested by theBangladesh law enforcers whileillegally entering the country, andthose who were convicted and havecompleted their prison terms in vari-ous Bangladeshi jails.The sources said the maritime stand-off between Bangladesh and Burma,over the natural gas-rich patch of theBay of Bengal within Bangladeshsterritorial waters, might prove to be atough nut to crack.

The sources also said an internationalnetwork was trying to pressurize the gov-ernment to register as refugees theRohingyas illegally entering the country.Some donor agencies, including the EU,also advised the government to accord therefugee status to the new Rohingyas.

Certain foreign and local non-government organisations (NGOs) areworking in the country in the name ofassisting the Rohingya refugees, thesources added.

There are allegations that a section ofofficials of the United Nations HighCommissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) andInternational Organisation for Migration(IOM) are encouraging Rohingyas to enterthe country.

For decades, the government hasbeen grappling with the Rohingya problemas tens of thousands of Rohingyas, whospread over different parts of Coxs Bazar

district after they had entered Bangladesh,now refuse to return to their homeland.

The Rohingyas, who are Muslims, tryto cross over to Bangladesh to fleepersecution whenever the Burmesegovernment puts pressure on them, orcreates adverse conditions of living byforcibly acquiring their farmlands andeven homesteads.

The flow of Rohingyas into the countrywill not stop unless Myanmar settles theproblems, a BGB officer said.The military Junta of Myanmar recentlyacquired over 1,000 acres of land belong-ing to Rohingya families in 50 villages andevicted them from their native places,reports reaching here from across theborder said adding, the lands were laterredistributed among some other people.

Earlier, foreign minister Dr Dipu Monihad said the Rohingya problem had beenlingering for over 30 years and Burmamust take steps to resolve it. We hopeBurma will do the needful to keep itspeople within its territory, she said.

Sources in the relief ministry say thereare 35,329 Rohingyas living in registeredRohingya camps at Nayapara in Teknaf,Kutupalong in Ukhiya and Leda in Teknaf.

These people are unwilling to go backfearing persecution by the Junta. Thereare another 2,85,329 Rohingyas illegallyliving in different areas of Coxs Bazar andBandarban districts. They are theremnants of some 2,50,877 Rohingyaswho fled to Bangladesh in 1991-92. Ofthem, 2,36,599 were repatriated throughthe UNHCR within 2005. Local people ofCoxs Bazar say more than 5,00,000Rohingyas live outside the camps; theycan easily mingle with local people as theyspeak an almost identical language.Source : The Independent, Dhaka. ##

By Our correspondent,Tuesday, 1 November 2011Maungdaw: On Tuesday first of Nove2011 Nasaka battalion N0. 18 from Agumaw Nasaka Camp raped two bea

Rohinyan women name SHAMSUN NAaged 22 and NUR BANU aged 27 daugof Muraat Ali and Abdu Sukkur. Whevillagers heard their screaming weeping in to 2 different houses they to rescue them there.

But without question the Naforces opened fire killing 4 innocent penamely Mohammed Sayeed aged 23Abusayed, Rashida Khatun aged 35Khalu, Abdu Matalab aged 40, S/o Hosssain, Jafor Ahammed aged 27Bulu. Finally the Nasaka burned dowvillage on 11/11/2011 and detained 50ple in Aunguma Nasaka Camp. A reig

terror prevails. All male villagers, exchildren, have gone into hiding asarmed Nasaka brute forces are searching the villagers to kill while toing the women to bring their husbback to the village.##

NEWS ARTICLE

DHAKA SEEKS TO REDEFINE BORDER PACTS WITH RANGOON

NEWSARTICLE

2 ROHINGYAN WOMEN RAPED ANDVILLAGERS GUNNED DOWN BY NASA

By AFP , 23 November 2011A senior United States official sa

Tuesday that the time was not right to sanctions on Burma despite Secreta

State Hillary Clintons plans for a grobreaking visit next week.

Clinton will seek progress on hurights, including on the treatment of eminorities, but it is premature to dislifting sweeping sanctions on the milbacked government, White House ofBen Rhodes said. The secretarys viin part to add momentum to whats tplace and to explore whats going forbut there are no plans right now tsanctions, Rhodes, the deputy natsecur i ty adviser for stratcommunications, told reporters.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Cl

arrives at her seat behind U.S. PresBarack Obama at the East Asian Suplenary session in Nusa Dua, November 19, 2011 (Reuters).

President Barack Obama annoulast week at an East Asia Summit inthat Clinton would become the firssecretary of state to visit Burma in 50 yafter the countrys government undereforms. ##

CLINTON VISIT WONT PRESAGEND TO SANCTIONS



www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.orgU.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham

Clintons state visit to Burma on Novem-ber 30, 2011 opened a new chapter in US-Burma relations. Clinton is the first UStop-level official to visit Burma in morethan half a century and seeking to encour-age a movement for change in one of

the most closed nations of the world.Just prior to leaving South Korea, the

US Secretary of State told reporters inSouth Korea that she is cautiously opti-mistic about the tentative reforms shownand she wanted to see for herself howcommitted the government was to change.

"We and many other nations are quitehopeful that these flickers of progress...will be ignited into a movement for changethat will benefit the people of the country,"she said. She is due to meet Nobel laure-ate Aung San Suu Kyi and President TheinSein on her three-day visit.

Clinton has said she will insist that

Burma free all political prisoners activists estimates vary between 500 andmore than 1,600 and move to end long-running ethnic conflicts that havedisplaced thousands of people. During hervisit, Clinton will also encourage Myanmarto sever military and nuclear ties withNorth Korea.

Daw Suu Kyi has welcomed Clinton'strip and told Obama in a phone call earlierthis month that engagement with thegovernment would be positive. Clintonhas called Suu Kyi a personal inspiration.Suu Kyi said Wednesday that she stillsupports U.S. sanctions against hercountry's government, but will have abetter idea of the chances for reform aftershe meets with Clinton.

The trip is the first major developmentn US-Myanmar relations in decades and

comes after what Obama described to as"flickers of progress" in Burma areference to the series of reforms and

policy decisions taken since themilitary government stood aside inMarch. The Obama administrationlaunched a new effort to prodreforms in 2009 with a package ofcarrot-and-stick incentives. Follow-

ing the Burmese military's brutalcrackdown on pro-democracydemonstrations in the summer of1988, the US downgraded its headof mission in Burma from ambassa-dor level to charg daffaires.

The US also imposed differenteconomic sanctions against theBurmese regime in 1997, 2003, 2007and 2008 as well as banning highlevel official visits to Burma. How-ever, in 2008 the White House andU .S lawmakers decided to use bothsanctions and engagement to

achieve change in Burma. A special represen-tative and policy coordinator to Burma, for-mer Deputy Secretary of Defense DerekMitchell, was appointed on Aug. 15.

A leaked US diplomatic cable dated Feb.9, 2009, claimed that this new tactic wasbearing fruit as, the most senior generals

are looking for an escape strategy theyhate being subject to sanctions and want tobe treated with the respect accorded to otherworld leaders. Senior generals are gettingold and want assurances that, if theyvoluntarily step aside, they and their familieswill retain their assets and not be prose-cuted, the cable continued.

And the Burmese regime has noticeablybeen attempting to develop good relationswith Washington in recent years, includingwelcoming US officials such as DerekMitchell, Senator John McCain, Senator JimWebb and other senior state departmentfigures to the country.

One senior official accompanying Clintonon the trip described the administration'searly efforts as "abysmal failures" but saidthe situation had improved notably in recentmonths. The official spoke on condition ofanonymity in order to discuss the administra-tion's internal thinking.

The rapprochement sped up whenMyanmar held elections last year that gavepower to a new government that pledgedgreater openness. The administration'sspecial envoy to Myanmar has made threetrips to the country in the past three months,and the top U.S. diplomat for human rightshas made one. Those officials pushed forClinton to make the trip, deeming a test of thereforms as worthwhile despite the risks ofbacksliding.

There is a good reason to be cautiouslyoptimistic on the recent developments inBurma. As President Obama stated, therehave been flickers of progress in the pastfew weeks. The greater question now iswhether the Burmese government has agenuine intention to achieve true democracyand national reconciliation.

However, President Thein Sein has notchanged the Burmese armys actions againstthe countrys ethnic minority civilians nor

released all political prisoners. In the pastseven months there has been a serious uptick in human rights violations committed bythe Burmese army, including the largestforced displacement in a decade of over100,000 new internally displaced persons,renewed armed conflict with 3 separatedecades old ethnic ceasefire groups, an in-crease in the use of rape as a weapon of war,forced labor, torture, extrajudicial killings andthe use of human shields.

Moreover, the Burmese Military continuesits brutal attacks on Christian churches inChin minority areas in Kachin State, as it

also has in Karen, Karenni, and areas. Rohingya Muslims continuface severe discrimination restrictions on their religious actcausing large refugee problemBangladesh and elsewhere in SouthAsia. Hundreds of Buddhist mo

such as U Gambira, continue to slong sentences.

Justice is a crucial part of natreconciliation in any country. Bcannot move forward until these attstop and the rule of law are reaWhile the reconciliation between and USDP is an important emphasis must now be given tofundamental political problem. Deracy for one majority group alone not solve Burmas political imbrogli

Several decades of military otions have been unable to sBurmas minority problems. The

viable way to integrate ethnic minois to end military offensives agthem and begin a political dialbased on mutual respect anconstitutional guarantee of equalitall citizens.

The US should continue tobenchmarks for normalizing relawith the Burmese government. Nadaws commitment to democratizneeds to be irreversible and shoudemonstrated by releasing all remapolitical prisoners; the governmust be able to tolerate political disand respect the rights of every citizexpress opinions without fear.

The Secretary should prioseeking an end to the Burmese regsystematic and widespread use of as a weapon of war, forced labor, forelocation, torture, extrajudicial killchild soldiers and use of human shand the immediate and unconditrelease of all political prisoners.

Only when the countrys minproblems are resolved can there bend to over six decades of polconflict in Burma. The advantage thgovernment has on Burma is cruci

national reconciliation.It is also very crucial to encouBurmas authorities to realize international communitys longstancall for a tri-partite dialogue betweeregime, Aung San Suu Kyi, and enationality leaders. Without a conchigh-level engagement that inclBurmas ethnic minorities, any hfor true democratic reform willmaterialize. ##

The writer can be reached at e-mail :

[email protected]

ASSESMEN

TS

CLINTONS VISIT OPENED A NEW CHAPTER IN US-BURMA RELATIONS BY AMAN ULLAHNEWS ASSESMENTS



www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.or

Dhaka, November 20, 2011: Ms. Janet Lim,UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner forRefugees Called on Foreign Minister Dr.Dipu Moni on 20 November 2011 in theevening. The Bangladesh Foreign Minister

urged the UNHCR Assistant High Commis-sioner to take effective steps to repatriateRohingya refugees from Bangladesh,according to a Press Release.

The Foreign Minister also appreciatedthe humanitarian and institutional rolesplayed by the UNHCR in protecting andsupporting refugees around the world aswell as in their voluntary repatriation, reinte-gration and resettlement in a third country.

Foreign Minister commended UNHCR,which has long been associated withBangladesh from even before independencen facilitating the return of ten million

Bengalees, who were forced to flee their

homes during the War of Liberation in 1971.She stated that, as a principled position,

Bangladesh had never pursued forcedrepatriation of Rohingya refugees.Accordingly, Bangladesh authorities havebeen working closely with the UNHCR involuntary repatriation of the 'Rohingya'refugees through diplomatic negotiationswith Burma, the country of origin of therefugees.

Currently 25,045 registered refugeesare residing in the two camps at Kutupalongand Noyapara awaiting repatriation back toMyanmar, she added. Out of these refugees,around 9,000 had earlier been cleared by theMyanmar government in 2005.The Foreign Minister appreciate that, sinceassumption of office, the present Govern-ment under the leadership of the PrimeMinister Sheikh Hasina had taken a numberof political initiatives for resumption of therepatriation process through renewedpolitical engagement with the Burmese

government. She informed that the Bangla-desh Prime Minister would pay an officialvisit to Burma next December 5, 2011. Thevisit is expected to unlock the ongoingstalemate with regard to the

longstanding issue of repatriation ofBurmese refugees.Later UNHCR Assistant High Commis-

sioner Janet Lim met Dr Abdur Razzaque,the Food and Disaster ManagementMinister of Bangladesh at the Secretariat.He urged the UNHCR Assistant High Com-missione to take effective steps to repatri-ate Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh.

Dr. Razzaque also noted that hostingthe Rohingya population had placed anextra burden upon densely populatedBangladesh. Although Bangladesh is apoor country, it has been continuing itsassistance to the Rohingyas, for humanitar-

ian reasons, he said. Janet Lim requestedthe Bangladesh government to take stepsto ensure nutritional levels of the Rohin-gyas who were sheltering in Bangladesh.

According to one group of refugees,We will go back to our motherland if theBurmese authorities give us citizenshipwith Rohingya ethnicity and the samerights as other ethnic groups.

One Rohingya politician, speaking oncondition of anonymity, claimed that if theBurmese authorities did not grant fullcitizenship with ethnicity and equal rightsto the Rohingya refugees, the refugeeswould never go back to Burma.

The politician also said, We fled toBangladesh from Burma because of perse-cution and human rights abuses committedby the military regime. We will not jumpright back into the same system of abuseby the government. We would rather die inBangladesh or elsewhere.

Earlier, Deputy Director General(Operations)of Food andAgriculturalOrganization(FAO) ManojJuneja calledon Dipu Moni.The ministeru n d e r l i n e dthe need foreffective re-search in cropvarieties sot h a t t h eimpact of cli-mate changeon vulnerablecommunitiescould bereduced. ##

By a CorrespondentOn 30 November2011, Hillary Cl

arrived in Burma for a three-day viwas the first visit by a US SecretaState for over 50 years. During the Clinton met President Thein SeNaypyidaw and had two meetingsAung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon.

Before the visit, President Obsaid in a statement that after yeadarkness, weve seen flickersprogress in these last several wPresident Thein Sein and the BurmParliament have taken important son the path toward reform. Of cotheres far more to be done. We reconcerned about Burmas clpolitical system, its treatmenminorities and holding of polprisoners, and its relationship North Korea. Hillary Clinton welcomed the steps the governmentaken and announced a series of itives the US would take to encoufurther reforms, including supporUN health and microfinance project

However, she warned that the ernment needs to go much furththey want to see sanctions lifted, ining the release of all political prisoand a peace and reconciliation proto bring to an end to ethnic conflicts

Speaking to reporters, she While measures already taken maunprecedented and certainly welcthey are just a beginning. Were nthe point yet where we can conlifting sanctions that we have in pbecause of our ongoing concerns apolicies that have to be reversedany steps that the government take

be carefully considered and wimatched. We are prepared to gother if reforms maintain momentumhistory teaches us to be cautiousknow that there have been sesetbacks and grave disappointmover the past decades.

After meeting Hillary Clinton, ASan Suu Kyi said If we go fortogether, Im confident there will bturning back from the roaddemocracy. We are not on that roadbut we hope to get there as soo

possible with our friends. ##

NEWS ON REFUGEES

NWSORU

BANGLADESH URGES UNHCR TO HELP REPATRIATEROHINGYA REFUGEES FROM BANGLADESH

Thousands of Rohingya refugees facing starvation in Bangladesh

CHANGES IN BURMA:A FLICKER OR A FLAME ?



www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.orgNEWS OF BOATPEOPLEROHINGYA BOAT PEOPLE CAPTURED NORTH OF PHUKET ARE HANDED OVERSTRAIGHT TO THE THAI ARMY By Alan Morison and Chutima SidasathianA boat containing 92 Rohingya was

apprehended near the fishing port ofKuraburi, north of Phuket, about noon on24 November 2011. The men and boys

came ashore in Thailand and were handedover immediately to the Thai Army, raisingconcerns about whether the group will betreated appropriately under internationalconventions.

It's the first boatpeople vessel to beconfirmed as arriving in Thailand under thenew administration of Prime MinisterYingluck Shinawatra. The Government's

policy on Rohingya has yet to be madeclear.

Today's immediate transfer of the 92Rohingyas from Border Patrol Police intothe hands of the Thai Army revived memo-ries of the reprehensible ''push-backs'' of

2008-2009, when the Thai military andparamilitary detained Rohingya in secret onan island north of Kuraburi before settingarge groups adrift at sea with little food

and water.Hundreds died before survivors reached

ndonesia and India's Andaman andNicobar islands, as revealed at the time inPhuketwanand the Hong Kong newspaper,the South China Morning Post.

Today the Rohingya came ashore nearthe village of Tung Laong on the mainlandn Phang Nga province, about three hours'

drive north of Phuket. Authorities werequickly notified. It is believed the groupwas to be trucked north to the Thai-Burmaborder port of Ranong, where the Army hasa large base.

It is from a village near the base thatRohingya were transported into secret

detention on the island of Sai Daengin 2008-2009. Usually, illegal arrivalsin Thailand are handed over toImmigration authorities. This was theprocedure with groups that landed inseveral boats on Phuket and inprovinces further south during the2010-2011 ''sailing season,'' beforethe new government was elected.

Rohingya choose to chance theirluck with people-traffickers betweenNovember and April when conditionsin the monsoon-prone Andaman Seaare tranquil. This coming ''sailingseason'' is expected to see manyboats put to the water because ofRohingya disillusionment over thenew, supposedly more liberalapproach in Burma.While some reforms appear to beevident in the former pariah state, therepression of the outcast Muslims,who are deprived of citizenship, is

not going to change. The new Burmesegovernment has now revealed in the newParliament that its policy towards theRohingya remains as it was under the mili-tary junta.

Royal Thai Navy patrols attemptinterceptions after traffickers sell berthsand the boats put to sea from northern

Burma, or neighboring Bangladesh. TheNavy applies a ''help on'' credo, offeringfood, fuel and medical treatment ifnecessary, and assisting the boats ontowards Muslim Malaysia, which for manyis the preferred destination.

While the whole South East Asianregion and India was alarmed by the treat-ment of the Rohingya in 2009, ASEAN hasfallen silent on the issue with the recentdecision to allow the ''new'' Burma to chairthe organisation in 2014. Aid groupssuspect that passengers on any Rohingyaboats that land in Thailand beforereaching Malaysia may be covertly handed

back to the people smugglers.Police Again Confirm Handover of95 Rohingya Boat People to ArmyOn 26 November 2011, the Phuket

Gazettereported that Police in Kuraburi,Phang Nga province, again haveconfirmed handover of 95 Rohingyaslanded on the island of Koh Phra Thongon November 24, 2011 (Thursday)morning. The island lies in the Andamansea about 110km north of Phuket.

We received a call from local villagerson the island saying that a boat full ofRohingya people had landed on the shore

there, but by the time I got there the Armywas already there, Lt Col AkekachaiPueakmanee, Deputy Superintendent ofKuraburi Police Station, told the PhuketGazette. The Army had already assem-bled all 95 of them at the Tung Laong Pieron the mainland, he added. Lt ColAkekachai did not specify how many ofthe refugees were men, women orchildren. An Army officer told us that allRohingya of the captured will be taken tothe 2nd Infantry Battalion, 25th Militaryunit, Rattanarangson Camp, in Ratchakud

District, Ranong province, he said.not sure if they will be sent to a country or if they will remain in the cahe added.

The Gazettewas told to call the

Burma Border Patrol Police headquain Surat Thani, which is responsiblborder patrol in the area whereRohingya landed. However, the officeGazette spoke with said he was unaof the case and referred our reporter to the police involved.

Lt Col Songsak Chanthep, who acpanied Lt Col Akekachai to Koh Thong on Thursday, told us that, local villagers told me that Rohingyaon the shore of Koh Phra Thong eyear.They seem to know that they wsafe if they make it to that spot, he saWhere Are Boatpeople? AnsweWanted From Thai Govt.

Human Rights Watch is calling oGovernment of Thailand to revealwhereabouts of a boatload of wourefugees and explain the Army's rothe unconventional apprehension detention of the Rohingya group.

The 92 Rohingya waded ashorthe Thai mainland north of PhukeThursday and were last seen btrucked to an unknown destination. Lwere told the men and boys were hefor an Army base.

The deputy Asia director of Hu

Rights Watch, Phil Roberson, saidNov.28 evening: ''We are concernethese reports and we would like the Gto clearly explain where these peopland what they plan to do with them.''

It was a ''worrisome developmenhave the detention of illegal arrivaThailand once again removed fromImmigration authorities who ushandle such matters, he said. ''Thaneeds to produce these people,''Robertson said. ''Trucking them offthe distance is no answer to problem.'' The absence of informfrom the Thai Government was caus

''very serious concern. ''BecauseRohingya do not have citizenship, cannot be officially returned to Burma

Fresh questions about Thailand's ptowards the Rohingya boatpeoplebeing raised as US Secretary of Hillary Clinton prepares fohistory-making visit to Burma, wherMuslim minority is deprived of citizenand driven to pay people traffickeescape by sea. ##Sources: PHUKET WAN NEWPHUKET GAZETTE.N

EWS O F

BO A T

PEO PLE

Thai Army trucked all 95 Rohingya Boat-peoples

and moved to an Army Base in Ranong Province


16/16

www.rohingya.org I info@ rohingya.orgBACK COVER

The rescued 17 persons had qusent away by the Nasaka personnel to respective villages to prevent the expoof their involvement in the human traing. The Nasaka forced the resindividuals to stay put in their villagesaide reported to Kaladan Press. The bodies floating in the Naf River areallowed to collect and bury by relatives and villagers. The dead bodiescame ashore were later collected byNasaka personnel and disposed at sefastening the bodies to large stone

eliminate the evidences of the eevent. The news leaked from some oaides of Nasaka and the villagers.

The grotesque human rights violaroutinely committed by the BurNasaka forces in the Rohingya regionArakan is not acceptable at any standahuman civilization on this planet. atrocities by the Nasaka in Rohiregions in Arakan have dramatincreased after the militarys electio2010. Human rights violations in a numbethnic areas in Burma are ramhowever, intensity and nature of crcommitted by Nasaka forces in Rohi

areas are the most inhumane as evideby this report and the graphic image.

The haunting images of the atrocitieBurmese Nasaka force in Rohingya areArakan, Burma (Myanmar), will undoubtest the sensitivity by the internatcommunity to Rohingya genocide inhands of Burmese government. questions is, whether the message igoing through or just the internatcommunity is gradually becodesensitized as it is getting used torepeated horrific stories of Rohigenocide. ## Source: Kaladan Press

Monday, 28 November 2011The photo taken

by a local man with a cell phone thatwas posted at Kaladan Press Netwrok

website is unmanly unthinkable. Seven-teen Rohingya were rescued andapproximately 138 were reportedlymissing while a makeshift Rohingyarefugee boat capsized in the Bay ofBengal during shade of the night onNovember 23, at night, according to anelder from Alaythankyaw in MaungdawSouth, Kaladan Press reports. Theworse amidst this is the Nasaka forces(Burmese Secret Police named asBorder Security Force) letting thebodies that came ashore to deteriorate,and hounding the villagers whoattempted to retrieve the bodies for

proper burial.The boat capsized between Saint

Martin and Shapuri Dip Island at the Bayof Bengal of Burma side. It woodenvessel was severely damaged after it hitthe rock between Saint Martin andShapuri Dip Island. said an elder ofShapuri Dip.

The Burmese Border Security Force(Nasaka) and its collaborators boarded155 Rohingya 120 from MaungdawTownship and 35 from Buthidaung

Township after collecting 300,000 Kyatper person according to a school teacherfrom Maungdaw, Kaladan Press reports.Upon receiving the cash, the officer-in-charge at Donkhali (also known as Pa

Yaunbang Gyi) Nasaka camp had allowedthe group of Rohingya to board the boatstationed at the Nasaka camp. This corrup-tion scandal reportedly involved MajorKyaw Aung, the Commander of Nasaka

Area ( Jurisdic-tion ) # 7 accord-ing to a person

(name withheldfor securityreason) associ-ated with of theNasaka force.

The otherknown allegedN a s a k ac o l l a b o r a t o r s ,Abul Kalam fromLamba Ghonavillage, Moslimfrom Dawn Khaliv i l l a g e , a n d

Yassin from Kon-

na Para village,reportedly ab-sconding as thenews of thehuman smugglingquickly reachedt h e h i g h e r authorities inMaungdaw Dis-trict Headquarterswho launched aninquiry to themishap.

BOAT CAPSIZES IN BAY OF BENGAL, 17 ROHINGYA RESCUED AND 138 MISSINGBurmese Nasaka Force blocks villagers from picking up the dead bodies of Rohingya Boat Peopl

One of the bodithe victims ca s h o r e w hBurmese NaForce let it

d e t e r i o r aBurmese NaF o r c e b l ov i l l agers fpicking up the b o d iRohingya Boat ple which weredisposed at seNasaka uweight ( StonP h o t o : K a l aPress Netw(Picture taken a cell phone)

PARTS OF COXS BAZAR ANDMAUNGDAW DISTRICTS

BAY OF BENGAL

POSS

Date post:	06-Apr-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	ashraf-alam
View:	219 times
Download:	0 times

Arakan November 2011

Documents