PRESS RELEASE
ARAKAN ROHINGYA UNION APPEALS FOR END TO VIOLENCE IN
ARAKAN
On behalf of the Rohingya community worldwide, the Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU), calls on the international community to urge the Government of Burma (Myanmar) to play a positive role in bringing an end to the violence which has afflicted Arakan (Rakhine) State. Further, the Government of Burma must act immediately to respond to the emerging humanitarian crisis in Arakan State which has been exacerbated by the monsoon rains. The ARU expects the government and its forces to act according to international standards for the benefit of the entire population of Burma.. President U Thein Sein and the Government of Burma have a moral obligation to provide equal protection to everyone in Myanmar regardless of race, religion, and culture.
The President and Government:
1)Must agree to an international inquiry into the recent violence, and immediately grant free access to humanitarian aid groups, international media, and human rights advocacy organizations in Arakan.
2)Must ensure that the State of Emergency law is fully enforced in Arakan State, and the local police, Nasaka, and Lon Htein forces do not provide protection and coverage for the Rakhine mobs in looting the shops and houses of Rohingya.
3)Must immediately stop the police, Nasaka, and Lon Htein forces conducting house to house search of Rohingya residences, taking the male adults to unknown destinations, and physically violating the honor of women of the Rohingya households.
4)Must guarantee the distribution of relief supplies and provide shelters to all victims affected by the rioting, not just the Rakhine.
5)Must expedite return of the victims to their respective properties as soon as some kind of secure livable structures are installed on the properties. In addition, the Rohingya properties must be protected against occupation and seizure by Rakhine vigilantes or others. ARU calls on the international community and human rights and humanitarian organizations to maintain pressure on the Burmese government and demand that President U Thein Sein allow the international aid groups, human rights officials, and media to get access to all areas in Arakan State immediately.
Prof. Dr. Wakar Uddin
Director General,
Arakan Rohingya Union
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