ARU DIRECTOR GENERAL ADDRESSES THE OIC MINISTERIAL CONTACT GROUP AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY;

ARU DIRECTOR GENERAL ADDRESSES THE OIC MINISTERIAL CONTACT GROUP AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, October 02, 2012 

ARU DIRECTOR GENERAL ADDRESSES THE OIC MINISTERIAL CONTACT GROUP AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY; HIGHLIGHTED THE CURRENT SITUATION AND THE IMMEDIATE/LONGTERM NEEDS FOR ROHINGYA

During the General Assembly convened September 26-28 at the United Nations in New York, the OIC Ministerial Contact Group Meeting on Rohingya issue was one of the events that received widespread attention from many delegates from around the world. The meeting was presided by the OIC Secretary General HE Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, and the participants were OIC Ambassador to the United Nations, HE Ufuk Gokcen, several delegates from OIC member states, and ARU Director General Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin. In his keynote speech, Secretary General HE Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu detailed all the developments in Rohingya issues at the OIC starting from the Rohingya Convention on May 31, 2011, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to the recent engagement with Myanmar Government on situation on the ground in Rohingya regions in Arakan state in Myanmar.

The Secretary General also provided the details of the Resolution No. 4/38-MM that was passed unanimously by the member states calling on Myanmar Government to address all the plights of Rohingya and the OIC recognizing the Arakan Rohingya Union that represents Rohingya people worldwide. Following the keynote speech by the Secretary General, ARU Director General Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin addressed the delegates emphasizing the most serious issues that the Rohingya people are currently facing in Arakan, particularly the atrocities and violence by the Myanmar police force that are committing against Rohingya people, rape cases, and the dire humanitarian situations in Rohingya camps and villages in several townships. Dr. Uddin appealed the OIC members states and the international community to have a strong coordination with U.S. Government and the member countries of United Nations to pressure Myanmar Government to address the current humanitarian issues urgently and the lingering citizenship issue. 

Dr. Uddin also appealed the member states to lobby United Nations for appointment of an independent Commission of Inquiry to replace the Myanmar Government appointed Commission of Inquiry that is seriously tainted because of the inclusion of Rakhine masterminds of the recent violence and exclusion of Rohingya leaders in Myanmar in the government’s commission. Further, as longterm objectives for advancement of young generations of Rohingya, Dr. Uddin urged the OIC member states to host Rohingya students in the institutions of higher education in their countries and also development of an educational foundation at OIC for unprivileged Rohingya students. He stressed that this foundation is needed to address the needs of Rohingya students as they have certian specific needs. Several OIC member states, particularly Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Senegal, Djibuti, Indonesia, and Afghanistan echoed the statements that Dr. Uddin made in his appeals. Malaysian delegate stressed the engagement of Rohingya with Myanmar Government and Rakhine ethnic group with dialogue. Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr. Dipu Moni, expressed deep sympathy for Rohingya victims and showed strong supports for Rohingya people through diplomacy. 

Dr. Moni explained that the stalling of Rohingya refugee repatriation to their native Arakan in Myanmar is due to some political reasons emerged recently in both countries. Dr. Uddin was given the floor for the second time to make the final statement, and he expressed the deep gratitude by Rohingya people to OIC member states, the Muslim Umma, and the international community for their sympathy and relentless support for the Rohingya victims. “Bangladesh is a neighboring Muslim country to Myanmar, and supports from people and the Government of Bangladesh for Rohingya people is of paramount importance while the government of Bangladesh maintains a healthy diplomatic relation with the government of Myanmar” Dr. Uddin concluded

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is looking to continue its assistance to the Rohingya Muslim population in Myanmar who has been facing widespread threats to their security after violence erupted last summer in the country’s Western state.

1Malaysia Putera Club’s main Humanitarian Mission team, led by President Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, left for Myanmar on Saturday.

The 35-member team, which included volunteers and media personnel, departed from the Low Cost Carrier Terminal here and was sent off by Melaka chief minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.

Speaking before his departure, Abdul Azeez said they were assisted by Prime Minister Najib Razak to gain permission to enter the country based on Malaysia’s close ties with Myanmar.

An estimated 500 tons of food, medicine and other items had been sent ahead by ship earlier followed by 14 volunteers on surveillance mission on September 29.

The team was expected to return on October 11 and the Club’s next mission was scheduled for October 19, to Syria, he added.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian mission included singer Irwan Shah Abdullah, better known as DJ Dave, as the representative of the 1Malaysia Artistes Foundation.

Since mid-June, Bangladesh authorities have admitted to forcing back at least 1,300 Rohingya trying to flee to Bangladesh, though the actual number is likely substantially higher, Human Rights Watch said. Rohingya are escaping killings, looting, and other sectarian violence in Arakan State, as well as abuses by the Burmese authorities, including ethnically motivated attacks and mass arrests.

A United Nations senior official expressed serious concern about reports of human rights violations committed by security forces in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, after clashes between its Buddhist and Muslim communities reportedly killed at least 78 people and displaced thousands in July.

“We have been receiving a stream of reports from independent sources alleging discriminatory and arbitrary responses by security forces, and even their instigation of and involvement in clashes,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said in a news release.

“Reports indicate that the initial swift response of the authorities to the communal violence may have turned into a crackdown targeting Muslims, in particular members of the Rohingya [Muslim] community,” she added.

According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the violence between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in the state, located in the country’s west, was triggered when an ethnic Rakhine woman was raped and murdered on May 28. This was followed by the killing of 10 Muslims by an unidentified mob on June 3.

Pillay called for a prompt, independent investigation, noting that the crisis reflects the long-standing and systemic discrimination against the Rohingya Muslim community, who are not recognized by the Government and remain stateless.

“The government has a responsibility to prevent and punish violent acts, irrespective of which ethnic or religious group is responsible, without discrimination and in accordance with the rule of law,” Pillay said.

She also called on national leaders to speak out against discrimination, the exclusion of minorities and racist attitudes, and in support of equal rights for all in Myanmar. She also stressed that the UN was making an effort to assist and protect all communities in Rakhine state.

“Prejudice and violence against members of ethnic and religious minorities run the risk of dividing the country in its commendable national reconciliation efforts, undermine national solidarity, and upset prospects of peace-building,” Pillay said.

Meanwhile, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it is delivering aid to the more than 30,000 people that were affected by the violence.

“As we speak, additional tents are being airlifted from the Republic of Korea to meet urgent shelter needs on the ground,” a UNHCR spokesperson, Andrej Mahecic, told reporters in Geneva.

 

BGB-Nasaka flag meeting held at border

BGB-Nasaka flag meeting held at border


Wednesday, 03 October 2012 15:52





Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: A company commander level flag meeting between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) was held at Ghundum area of Naikkongchori upazila along Bangladesh-Burma border yesterday afternoon, according to BGB official.



“Col. Mohammad Khalequzzaman of Battalion No 17 led 11-member Bangladesh BGB team while deputy Commander of Nasaka area No 3 of Maungdaw Township, led 13-member of Burma Nasaka team.”



Col Mohammad Khalekuzzaman said, “We requested to Nasaka personnel not to force Rohingyas to leave the country (Myanmar).’’



Regarding the question, the Nasaka official said that they would check the Burma-Bangladesh border to stop intrusion of Rohingyas to Bangladesh, the Col more added.



According to sources, in the two-hour long meeting, both sides agreed to restore peaceful atmosphere in Burma-Bangladesh border.



Besides, both sides discussed over 238 Bangladeshi prisoners who have been languishing in Burma’s jail. They were caught by Nasaka from border areas while they were cutting wood and fishing in Naff River. They will be released with understanding later, sources added.

Toll collection increased in Maungdaw


Wednesday, 03 October 2012 15:58





Maungdaw, Arakan State: The Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) personnel increase toll collection from Rohngya travelers while crossing the Nasaka check-posts or culverts or bridges in Maungdaw Townships, said a trader from Maungdaw preferring not to be named.



In Maungdaw Township, the Nasaka has established Nasaka check-posts in every bridges, or culverts, Maungdaw-Aley Than Kyaw high way and Maungdaw- Bawli Bazar high way.



Rohingyas from rural areas have to cross culvert, bridge and Nasaka check-post – where most of the Nasaka personnel are staying for security reason- on the way to Maungdaw town for marketing or visiting relatives.The Rohingyas villagers from rural areas have to pay money to all Nasaka posts while crossing the post.



The Nasaka personnel increased Nasaka check-posts after communal violence in Arakan in June, according to an elder from Maungdaw.



“The Nasaka personnel from check-posts asked the Rohingya travelers and forced them to pay money while crossing the Nasaka out-posts. Rohingya travelers have to pay Kyat 200 to 500 per head at the Nasaka out-post. Sometimes, the Nasaka takes Kyat 500 to 1000, if the villager has much money in the pocket.”



“How a villager is able to pay much money to the Nasaka on the way only, without buying anything from the market. What will happen to the poor villagers?, said a businessman from Maungdaw Town.



According to various sources, the Nasaka personnel deliberately check the whole bodies of women and girls at the check-posts.by male Nasaka person.



A villager said, “We are not able to cross the Nasaka check-post without paying money. If we want to go by alternative way, the Natala (new settler) villagers attack us.”



Another woodcutter said, “My family members are suffering from starvation because I can’t go to mountain to collect firewood. He more said that many Rohingya villagers have been suffering from starvation.”



The Nasaka is only trying and thinking, how they will make troubles to the Rohingya villagers and how they will get money from them, said an elderly villager who denied to be named.

fuy

1.10.2012- CERAMAH “ROHINGYA MENANGIS” DI TAMAN SOON CHON, GOPENG

1.10.2012- KULIAH MAGHRIB “ROHINGYA MENANGIS” DI SURAU GUNUNG RAPAT, IPOH